A lot of people consider cabin maint a welcome form of exercise and a way to clear the mind from a hectic work week including my wife and I. We rarely see it as a problem except maybe spring leaf cleanup. I never feel like a slave to the place.
Well ok must admit I did not read all the posts, but the other option IF you can find it is property off the lake with deeded access to the lake. Cheaper, lower taxes, no upkeep(kidding) good luck.
For me I made a wants and needs list and I won’t compromise on the needs.
I’ve been looking for a year now and had no idea it would be this difficult.
Many one day trips up north and a couple overnighters.
No way will I rent or lease, own only. On a lake no deeded access. Maintenance will be considered a labor of love and good for the soul.
Now I’m at the point where I only do a daily HOT list search. I have checked listings so often I can tell you every property for sale in Crow wing and Cass counties.
Life truly is short.
Got my fingers crossed that this is the year.
I have a seasonal camper at Mille Lacs Island resort that we use virtually every weekend as well as a couple other week long stays for the past 8 years. I prefer the resort as there is no work, just fun when we are there. This is a large resort that is not geared specifically towards the fishing crowd. At times it is a very busy environment and other times it’s a ghost town. One thing to mention is the only way into the resort is to buy an existing unit, meaning you cannot bring your already owned camper in. The resort sells new park models and there is always a good assortment of camper/park models for sale privately.
What lake am I on question:
White earth north of Detroit Lakes, wife’s family is on the lake for the last 20 years
Well ok must admit I did not read all the posts, but the other option IF you can find it is property off the lake with deeded access to the lake. Cheaper, lower taxes, no upkeep(kidding) good luck.
I did notice that. However if possible I’d like to sit outside my Cabin,Camper,Park Model, Mobile Home, whatever and look out over the lake as the sun sets or rises. I also know that’s going to cost me.
I have a seasonal camper at Mille Lacs Island resort that we use virtually every weekend as well as a couple other week long stays for the past 8 years.
The Island does look nice. But it looks spendy too. Plus there isn’t a lot of shoreline to sit on. However it isn’t going to stop me from checking it out this summer.
It sounds like a lake view is of higher importance. That will help narrow down your search.
It sounds like a lake view is of higher importance. That will help narrow down your search.
It’s important. BUT… I also have a budget and have to be somewhat realistic.
What is the annual budget?
Another comment on seasonal RV spots on Mille Lacs.
Every resort has those sweet spots. The ones right on the water or great views or nicely shaded or farthest away from traffic and noise. Those spots will typically cost more than other spots of the same size. There is almost always a waiting list. You may be waiting years for that “Perfect Spot”. For me, 20 years of RV camping at several different resorts, those spots never became available. Best you can hope for is the spot next to you stays open. Or you end up with great neighbors. The worst option is a spot next to yours that they keep open from weekend campers. There for a weekend and gone….not good!
Edit – Many of the best spots have RV’s that are “Planted” Meaning they are skirted, landscaped, or decked in. Most of the time the RV comes up for sale and the buyer ends up with the spot. This would be the ideal situation for someone in the market for both an RV and a perm spot to keep it. In other words, using the RV to stay in other location from time to time is not an option.
-J.
What is the annual budget?
Probably somewhere around $3000 a year for a seasonal. If I went that route.
There is almost always a waiting list. You may be waiting years for that “Perfect Spot”.
I was afraid of that.
Best you can hope for is the spot next to you stays open. Or you end up with great neighbors. The worst option is a spot next to yours that they keep open from weekend campers. There for a weekend and gone….not good!
Yeah I hadn’t thought of that and that’s a really good point. I would not like that one bit.
I bought a lake home about 7 years ago. 2 hours from home seems to be a reasonably comfortable drive. There is a fair amount of upkeep. I bought a riding mower for the lake and one for home so it cuts down mowing time in both places enough were it is not a burden.
I have found that I fish less than I did before. But a lot of that is based on the discovery that I fished partly to take a break, get away and relax. When I am at the lake all of those things are already accomplished. I am relaxed if I am mowing the lawn, sitting by a fire, looking out at the lake, paddling in a kayak, or fishing. So I do fish less than I used to, but look forward all week, summer and winter, to being at the lake.
I am relaxed if I am mowing the lawn, sitting by a fire, looking out at the lake, paddling in a kayak, or fishing. So I do fish less than I used to, but look forward all week, summer and winter, to being at the lake.
Sounds like heaven.
It’s important. BUT… I also have a budget and have to be somewhat realistic.
It just means that you need to have patience. We looked for almost a year before settling on something. Made lots of trips driving around and looking at stuff. Daily internet searches but they maybe showed a third of what was really available.
You will get really good at spotting for sale signs while driving. Might want to start practicing now. 
<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>tim hurley wrote:</div>
Well ok must admit I did not read all the posts, but the other option IF you can find it is property off the lake with deeded access to the lake. Cheaper, lower taxes, no upkeep(kidding) good luck.I did notice that. However if possible I’d like to sit outside my Cabin,Camper,Park Model, Mobile Home, whatever and look out over the lake as the sun sets or rises. I also know that’s going to cost me.
This is the route we went…. 2 acres back in the woods with private harbor access for about $140,000 less than being right on the lake. You need to be catching them sunsets/rises from he boat anyways. Much more fun. My cabin is basically new, so the only “upkeep” is mowing and cutting fire wood for campfires… and deer stand building.. and food plots.. I thoroughly enjoy most chores at the cabin… heck.. I am at the cabin !!! 
You need to be catching them sunsets/rises from he boat anyways. Much more fun.
heck.. I am at the cabin !!!
Yeah Big_G nothing beats a sunrise/set in the boat on the lake. Off lake property might be a possibility if I had a private harbor to dock up on.
More to look into!!!
Thanks Big_G
I might offer a different direction in the discussion perhaps you should look in to Ontario. The options are greater and the taxes may be less by a long shot depending upon your location. The difference for us was enough to pay for two trips a year. I spend about 3-4 weeks a year most years more and I have yet to grow tired of the lake we are on. Keep in mind it took five years of research to end up on the property we chose. I caught a lot of fish doing our research. Fishing different lakes and talking to locals about property for sale. I would rather drive 12 hours and catch fish all day long, than sit in a boat 12hrs and catch a few fish. When I’m in Wisconsin and only have a weekend to fish I want to trailer my boat to the hot bite or a place I haven’t fished before or it has been a while.
This is my year round view. I was told if you smile every month when you make your payment it’s worth it. 16yrs and I’m still smiling!
Life on the lake is definitely a blessing. Even mowing the lawn is fun when this is your view.
Not to mention catching walleye in your backyard!
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Sunrise.jpg
where are you at Joe? that looks nice
And THAT Joe is the romance of the idea. The trick is making it reality.
where are you at Joe? that looks nice
I live on Lake Mary in Douglas county. Central MN 2 hrs from the cities.
Leech is nice… But a bit of a drive for me. I like the wants and needs list and deciding not to compromise on the needs… I’m still to wishy washy. I wonder if that means I’m not serious enough yet. IDK… Definitely food for thought.
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