Americans Are Flocking to These Small Locales To ‘Townsize’ This Summer

When it comes time to escape this summer, people seem to be thinking small.

Yes, “townsizing” is trending this season, according to Priceline’s 2025 Travel Trends Report, with the quest to explore places exhibiting quaint-city charm being one of U.S. adult travelers’ top destination goals.

Thanks to a combination of cost-consciousness and a desire for more meaningful interpersonal interactions, travelers are desiring more “domestic exploration and smaller-town destinations, which goes beyond savings to include seeking authentic connections and feeling like a ‘local’ wherever they go,” Priceline’s Lesley Klein, senior vice president, strategy and brand marketing, says its data shows.

This extends to potential homebuyers as well. “Return to office and hybrid working arrangements have made cities congested once again, leaving many residents wishing for a slower pace of life,” says Hannah Jones, senior economic research analyst at Realtor.com®. “Smaller towns tend to be less expensive and less busy, attracting vacationers and movers alike.”

Shaun Michael Lewis, CEO of Clearwater Properties who was born into a five-generation Montana family with deep local roots, agrees. He told Realtor.com® that he believes post-pandemic, people have realized they don’t need to be in large cities to have fulfilling experiences.

“Small towns offer visitors genuine interactions, whether chatting with locals, learning from guides, trying out new experiences, or exploring new landscapes,” says Lewis. “With regard to real estate in small towns, we have observed a steady increase over the past several years in vacation home purchases from those who want to ‘buy in’ to the small-town lifestyle on a more semipermanent basis rather than just as an occasional weekend getaway.”

In other words, instead of “bright lights, big city,” 2025’s travelers are looking more for Hallmark moments and their own classic small town stories—that could become permanent life changes.

1. Three Rivers, CA

Median home price: $651,000

Located in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada, Three Rivers, CA is a small, artistic town that also serves as a gateway to Sequoia and Kings Canyon national parks (home of the largest living trees on earth). Located halfway between, and to the east of San Francisco and Los Angeles, this “river town” offers up a picturesque setting for a perfect mountain getaway. And recently prices went down 33.5% from the same time last year, so if the area feels like home when visiting, it might be a good time to look at property.

2. Panguitch, UT

Median home price: $587,500

For more of a “pioneer” feel, townsizers might wish to check out Panguitch, UT. With a name that’s derived from the Native American word for “Big Fish,” the population of Panguitch is only about 1,725 people—making it more of a small pond. However, being in close proximity to the nearby Dixie National Forest as well as the red rocks of Bryce Canyon, this tiny western town offers lots of fishing (including an ice fishing tournament in the winter), hot air ballooning and, of course, a good ole’ county fair.

3. Bretton Woods, NH

Median home price: Too small to accurately calculate data, according to Realtor.com economists

Bretton Woods is an area within the town of Carroll, NH, surrounded by the White Mountain National Forest. The largely undeveloped national park offers nearly 800,000 acres of wilderness for visitors to enjoy and tons of outdoor recreation opportunities including hiking, skiing, boating, and fishing, as well as 22 campgrounds. For those who don’t wish to rough it, the luxurious and historic Omni Mount Washington Resort, one of the last surviving “grand New Hampshire” hotels, is also located there.

“As for real estate? Inventory is limited, demand is strong, and short-term rentals do well, especially for buyers seeking both escape and income,” says Carla Gericke, a popular New Hampshire agent at Porcupine Real Estate. “Bretton Woods is where liberty, luxury, and legacy meet. And that’s a rare find.”

4. South Yarmouth, MA

Median home price: $699,000

If Cape Cod is more your scene, then South Yarmouth, MA, will provide you with the perfect small-town New England getaway. Known for its scenic beaches and stunning views over Nantucket Sound, this coastal escape is primed for nostalgic nautical adventures and lots of seafood and chowder. And since it’s only an hour and 15 minute drive from Boston, this quaint seaside town is still close enough to the city when adventure calls.

“Small towns within commuting distance of an economic hub get the best of both worlds,” says Jones. “Residents and visitors can try on slower living in a more idyllic setting without giving up job opportunities and access to big-city amenities and resources.”

5. Ouray, CO

Median home price: $850,000

Known as the “Outdoor Recreation Capital of Colorado,” Ouray is a little more rugged while also offering an alpine high (it’s located in the San Juan Mountains at an altitude of 7,800 feet above sea level). Its historic and simultaneously artistic Main Street offers a picture perfect complement to the soaring mountains that surround the village. And lest you think it’s too rustic, a soak in the Ouray Hot Springs can also supplement your small-town stay with a spot of spa.

6. Old Saybrook, CT

Median home price: $899,000

Located at the mouth of the Connecticut River and bordered by the Long Island Sound, Old Saybrook, CT, prides itself on being an embodiment of small-town living. As one of the earliest settlements in Connecticut, it has a deep sense of history with more than 100 homes deemed historically significant.

7. North Wildwood, NJ

Median home price: $649,000 

Looking for a small-town beach vibe? North Wildwood on the Jersey Shore might just fit the bill. Located in Cape May County, the area is known for being one of the finest beach resorts on the East Coast with wide, white-sand beaches, lighthouses, excellent saltwater fishing, and an amusement-filled boardwalk.

8. Carmel Valley, CA

Median home price: $1,950,000 

While most people are probably familiar with idyllic Carmel-by-the-Sea, there is another Carmel about 25 minutes away that shows up on the small town radar. Carmel Valley, CA, is located a little more inland, and the scene is less beach, more wineries, fireplaces and hot tubs. Many visitors say it will make you think you’ve been transported to the European countryside. As a bonus, the area has 300+ days of sunshine per year.

9. Gorham, NH

Median home price: $399,000

With a population of just 3,000 people, Gorham, NH, definitely qualifies as a small town. The second New Hampshire locale to make Priceline’s list, this historic little village nestled in the Androscoggin Valley was established in 1836, giving it old-world charm. It also offers plenty of outdoor activities thanks to its proximity to the picturesque Presidential Mountain Range. Home prices are still relatively cheap here so it may be a good place to try “townsizing” on a more long-term basis.

10. Forks, WA

Median home price: $378,500

Be ready to get cozy if you visit Forks, WA, as it’s known as the “Rainiest Town in the Contiguous U.S” (approximately 120 inches annually!). Located in the heart of the Olympic Peninsula, between the Olympic mountains and the beaches of the Pacific Ocean, Forks is the perfect place to play out your “Twilight” series fantasies (the saga was set there). In fact, diehard fans of the novels might want to time their visit with the Forever Twilight in Forks Festival, an annual celebration that just might include a few vampires or werewolves.