Oregon Lakes Make List of Top North American Destinations for Second-Home Buyers

In a recent poll of Americans and Canadians, a property company identified two lakefront locations in Oregon- Wallowa Lake and Detroit Lake (Oregon), among the most desirable lakefront real estate in North America.

Most Sought-After Oregon Lakefront Homes

A poll of 3,007 Americans and Canadians by Calgary Homes, a real estate platform, aimed to identify the Lakes that are luring second-home Buyers nationwide.

Deeper than the experience of lakeside living, waterfront properties can command an average 36% price premium over benefits such as swimming, canoeing, and the slower pace of life dockside.

A Calgary Homes spokesperson said:

Lakefront homes have a unique way of combining investment potential with emotional appeal.

In the infographic showing the most desirable lakefront real estate in North America, the two Oregon lakefront properties that scored highest were:

#26. Wallowa Lake (Northeastern Oregon): With its mountain-backed shoreline and peaceful, walkable lakefront, the log cabins, lodges, and deep-lot properties with lake and mountain views are a defining feature. The art galleries and small-town charm of nearby Joseph add to the appeal of scenic, low-key lake living.

#54. Detroit Lake (A few hours from Portland): Situated in the Cascade Mountain range, the lake offers weekend getaways, especially for boaters and swimmers.

Featuring seasonal cabins and full-time homes, some with elevated lake views, the area has experienced its fair share of wildfire scarring in certain parts. Still, rebuilding continues, and demand is picking up again.

The slower, more connected lifestyle, whether it’s for seasonal use or future retirement, offers long-term value and personal meaning. The top 5 lakefront properties nationwide in the poll, and where they are situated, are:

#1. Big Bear Lake, California: A few hours from Los Angeles, perched on the San Bernardino Mountains.

#2. Lake Tahoe, California: Straddling the border between California and Nevada in the Sierra Nevada, with around two-thirds of the lake in California.

#3. Shasta Lake, California: Located in Shasta County, northern California, about 9 miles northwest of Redding, on the Sacramento River.

#4. Tracadie Bay, Prince Edward Island: Shoreline homes around Brackley and Blooming Point close to Charlottetown.

#5. Lake Weir, Florida: Close to Ocala and The Villages.