Cottager
August 2008
The Ultra-Cheap
It’s still possible to score a cabin in (or at least near) the woods for under $100,000. But it might mean a hefty commute. Here, cottage country’s next frontiers
Scroll over the squares for information about each location.
Ripe for graduation from its current status as Sudbury’s camp country, Manitoulin is
the world’s largest freshwater island, meaning plenty of waterÂfront. A standard-sized lot
with 45 metres of waterfront goes for an average of $275,000. Two hospitals on the island make
it attractive to seniors and families with kids. For those with grander ambitions, there are,
according to agent Phil Chandler, plenty of private islands priced from $275,000 into the millions.
Despite years of drawing hunters and anglers (walleye, pike and muskie are the biggies), Champlain canoeing its waters in 1615 and pronouncing it charmante, and a huge spread in The New York Times travel section (21 years ago now), the French River is still mostly undeveloped as cottage country. The real estate
is priced accordingly, despite the picturesque, mostly pristine quality of its Canadian Shield landscape. Look for hunting cabins under $100,000 and cottages in the low $200s.
With the collapse of the U.S. housing market, it’s time to start thinking about cottaging south of the border. Packing seven major lakes, rolling hills, glens and New York state’s wine region thrown in as a bonus, the Finger Lakes is primo territory; its small towns lend it a more rural than rustic tone. It’s only about
a four-hour drive (depending on the wait at the border). Two to three bedrooms with waterfront on one of the less expensive lakes, like Cayuga, go for about $150,000. For something ritzier, there’s Canandaigua Lake, where properties start at about $600,000. Or go bare-bones and nab a hunting cabin for $50,000.
