It’s the first day of spring and Ocean City, NJ tops our list of the most–decked out–metro areas.
Hurray, we made it! It’s the first day of spring, and while most of us may still be sporting winter parkas and facing a threat of snow, the end is at least in sight. Slowly but surely, temps will start to thaw nationwide and the bridge to summer draws nearer. And as that mercury climbs, so does our desire to be outside.
Coveting an outdoor space to call your own? Perhaps a peaceful backyard deck? We looked at the top 10 metro areas with at least 100 homes for sale and ranked them according to the prevalence of the word “deck” in home listing descriptions. These are the top metro areas for homes with decks, just in time for spring:
Top Places for Homes with Decks
| Metro Area | Percentage of Listings Mentioning ‘Deck’ |
| Ocean City, NJ | 49% |
| Barnstable Town, MA | 43% |
| Wausau, WI | 41% |
| Des Moines, IA | 40% |
| South Bend, IN | 39% |
| Duluth, MN | 37% |
| Santa Cruz, CA | 36% |
| Asheville, NC | 35% |
| Burlington, VT | 34% |
| Worcester, MA | 34% |
Interestingly, the data shows decks are most common in somewhat unexpected areas. Only one sunny spot in California made the list. Most of the top 10 was filled with colder inland and East Coast cities, perhaps a nod to the fact that cities with harsher climates are also places that greatly appreciate the turn of temperatures come springtime.
For while long walks and leafy parks are always a good bet, there’s something extra sweet about savoring the first sign of warmer air from the comfort of your own home. Whether sipping coffee on a terrace, or firing up a grill on the deck, homes with outside amenities are about to be in even higher demand.
Feel like getting decked out? Check out one of our favorites from the list:
383 Commerce Rd
Barnstable, MA
List price: $1,445,000
This stately Cape Cod Colonial is impressive in its own right, with five bedrooms, a chef’s kitchen, home gym and prime position overlooking signature Cape marshland. But the outdoor space is the crown jewel, with a private upstairs terrace off the master suite, complete with a hot tub for warming up chilly nights. There’s also a full covered backyard deck downstairs, fit for entertaining or resting sandy toes after a dip at the beach. Even still, atop the third floor, find a Widow’s Walk connected to the cherry wood-paneled library, for unparalleled ocean views.
This post first appeared on Redfin.com. To see the original, click here.