By Atika Shubert | Nov. 4, 2025 9:45 am EST
If lakeside living sounds like a retirement dream for you, then Michigan is the place to start looking. The Great Lakes State has the most freshwater shoreline in the United States. In fact, Michigan has more than 11,000 lakes and 3,000 miles of water trails for paddling, boating, and fishing. Some lakefronts even have crystal-clear water and white-sand beaches, such as the “Caribbean of Michigan” aka the massive Torch Lake.
However, the dream of a lakeside home may seem unattainable for many. The median price of a single-family home in the U.S. has increased significantly and currently hovers between $400,000 and $450,000 (via Yahoo Finance). But for those willing to settle in this northern state, Michigan has a wealth of waterfront towns….