So why do you want to buy a cottage? Are you suffering from some unexpressed primeval urge to return to the wild, to escape from the city periodically, to vegetate in a boat and hang a hook over the side? Do you want your own retreat so you can indulge your love of skiing, canoeing, sailing, or hunting? Or do you simply want to snub the Jones’s? Perhaps you have an urge to make or repair things on your own. Whatever your dream may be, you need to be sure that it is grounded in reality before you part with your hard-earned money.
Where should you look for your dream getaway? This depends on a bunch of factors, not the least of which is how much you can afford. In general terms, the closer a cottage is to a major city, the more expensive it will be. On larger lakes, the prices will be higher, and some lakes (notably Lakes Muskoka, St. Joseph, and Rosseau in Muskoka) are favoured by the very rich, and prices will be out of sight.
For useful information about 26 different cottage regions in Ontario, click on this link at Cottage Life magazine.
Some of the other major factors affecting your choice will be:
Distance from your home. Much depends upon how often you will want to go to the cottage. If you can only get away on weekends, you will probably want to spend a maximum of two or three hours travelling each way, otherwise your travel time will eat into the time you can spend there. In winter, if your cottage is not heated in your absence, you may have to allow for time to heat it up prior to going to bed after driving up there on a Friday evening.
On the other hand, you may decide that your cottage will be used only for long weekends and vacations, in which case you may be prepared to drive further, to where the cottages may be cheaper. However, you will have to factor in the extra cost of gasoline and the wear and tear on your vehicle.
The activities you enjoy. Obviously, if you enjoy swimming, you will want to be on a lake or river. If power boating is your thing, you need to be on or near a lake that is appropriate to the size of your boat. If you want to ski in winter, your cottage should be close to ski resorts (for downhill skiing) or trails (for cross-country). Snowmobilers need to check out the availability of nearby snowmobile trails, and the regulations concerning their use. Many trails are maintained by snowmobile associations, and membership is required to use them. The key here is to do the research before you buy.
Distance from services. You need to be sure that you can obtain groceries and other supplies easily. If stores are not close, you will need to plan your menus more carefully, and ensure you bring in all the necessary ingredients. If you are missing anything when you start preparing your killer ribs recipe, you will either have to improvise, or put dinner on hold while you make the half-hour trip to the nearest store. Barbecue chefs should always ensure that they have a full spare propane tank handy in case the gas runs out. You will also have to be comfortable with the time and distance to the nearest hospital, in case any emergencies occur. When undertaking cottage projects, planning ahead will again be needed to ensure you have everything you need before you start. Nipping out to the hardware store if you have forgotten anything may not be an option.
Will you need internet access? Throughout cottage country, the most common form of access is via dial-up, which means that you will need to be within the telephone service area, and have a line laid on to the cottage. Even if you are prepared to pay for satellite internet service, you will still need electrical power, either from the power grid, or from a generator. In the last couple of years, Telus has been extending its wireless high speed service to rural areas. It’s not quite WiMax, but more cell-network based. The map at this link shows the extent of the service in November 2012.
How much do you value seclusion? If you like to see all kinds of activity on the water (with its attendant bustle and noise) you will likely want to be on a larger lake or a busy river where people are making their way from one place to another. On the other hand, if you value serenity and calm, a smaller lake with no boating access to other lakes or rivers is what you will prefer.
Type of terrain. Do you want rocky outcrops that you can dive off, or do you prefer sandy beaches where the kids can paddle? Most traditional cottage region lakes provide a variety of terrain, with rocky shores in some places, swampy areas and sandy beaches in others. However, on the eastern shores of Lake Huron and lower Georgian Bay, sandy beaches predominate. I have used Google Earth to view the terrain in various regions. Sometimes it’s hard to see exactly what the shoreline is like, but often one can identify beaches or rocky shores. However, the resolution of the images of more remote areas is insufficient to see the necessary detail.
Environmental issues. You need to check out whether there any environmental hazards or issues that may affect your enjoyment of your cottage. For example, mercury levels are high enough in some lakes that you may not be able to eat the fish that you catch. You can request a copy of the Guide to Eating Ontario Sport Fish from the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources at this link.
The water levels on some managed bodies of water may vary greatly because they are feeders for hydro-electric plants or for canal systems. You should consult local cottagers associations to learn more.
Once you have decided on the area in which you would like to buy, and the type of terrain you would prefer, the next step is to find an actual cottage property. For more information on this, continue here...