ydoc

I've asked this question on specific state forums and I thought I would throw this out as a general question.

We are in our late forties and would like to begin visiting an area more frequently in hopes of purchasing a second home. The trick here is it might have to be a rental property which in that case would probably have to be in a somewhat touristy place.

Here is our preferences: Large lake (not the big lakes such as Michigan, Ontario etc.) for sailing, fishing, it would probably be a plus if it had a yacht/golf club to meet people as our children are in their teens.

We enjoy most outdoor sports.

We have considered the Montana area around Flathead for the summers but from Chicago, it is a two plane change to get there. And we wouldn't want to be living there in the winter months. We have considered the Carolinas but do not want to be on the ocean. And does it get too humid down there?

We love Texas as our son wants to go to UT @ Austin very badly. But are there large lakes around?

I read on this forum under Arkansas there is a wonderful large lake community but I invision Arkansas as being very "red-neck".. True or not?

We're looking for a friendly, social community where the residents are from all over and are looking for the same social and community feel as we are.

I would appreciate any suggestions.

Thanks

GoTravel

Why would you imagine an entire state being redneck?

Arkansas has some gorgeous areas.

If you are skipping humidity, give Texas a pass.

I would find out which areas have direct flights to and search out lakes from there.

Lake Keowee in South Carolina is drop dead gorgeous. Also close to Greenville SC and Hendersonville, NC.

ydoc

GoTravel

I knew when I said "red neck" I would catch some heat. I'm from a very rural/red-neck town so I felt comfortable using the term. Obviously, not every town and person in a state has the same personality. It was used as a general term.

Thanks for the Lake Keowee suggestion.

GoTravel

See?

For very upscale, I think it is The Cliffs at Lake Keowee.

You should not have a problem finding direct flights. Isn't O'Hare a United Hub?

JJ5

There are numerous communities forming or formed in KY, TN, AK, Missouri on lakes right now, and in the USA literally thousands of lake choices. Those with country club, sailing clubs, golf courses etc. are already very built up- and extremely high end costs and taxes.

Do you want to be on a spring-fed lake, full recreation lake, fishing diverse, no-motor, man-made, glacial? You need to be very careful, as they are quite different one lake from another even in fairly close proximity.

I can't say "best", but Diamond or Magician in MI are high end with the clubs etc. Ours has a golf course now, but is far from having a social set yet.

You need to say how much you are considering to spend and what level. And then visit areas that have different kinds of lakes at different levels of development.

Your question is almost impossible to answer unless I know what you consider high end or "touristy". You can rent a lake house if it's the wild, 60 miles from anywhere, you know- and easily. It's the cleaning etc. services that could become problematic.

Would you consider 1000 acres too small? Ours is 600 acres and there are lots of places I've not yet explored in 4 years of summers.

Lake Geneva area of WI is big bucks, their taxes are also very high. MI and MN have 100s of free water spring fed lakes but all are different- some weed up- some great for fishing, etc.

Our friends just went into a lake house in Alabama on a huge lake. Large to us is over 10,000 acres. What is large to you? That's very relative. Friends think our lake large because they have stayed on 200 or 300 acre lakes. LOL!

The best buys and the greatest lake places are most probably still in the undiscovered areas and that is where the highest profits in equity will be made. KY has some beauties. Lake Barkley I think is one tending in your social set direction.

JJ5

If you are interested in Michigan lakes-try www.jerdon.net

They are genius in knowing lakes in MI. Peruse that web site and you will see what I mean.

I myself would never do a lake house that I couldn't get to in under 3 hours unless I had my own plane. I do know those who fly their own plane out of a rural airfield who go about 500 miles to their lake house.

Each state has different second home tax structures and/or other regulations-the Southern states have much less tax on lake property overall as a generalization.

ydoc

Great questions... thanks

Let me look over all the questions and see what I come up with in terms of location and desires.

Thanks again

aileen679

Don't forget to look into the possibilities of "lakes" that are formed by dams. Some of them are quite large.

TarheelsInNj

There may be some areas in the Poconos that would appeal to your interests. In addition to lakes for summer sports, there are of course endless winter sport options in the mountains. In addition, it is definitely a tourist destination that would work for your rental needs. Another advantage is the easy driving distance to several other cities and attractions, including NYC.

One area in particular you might consider is Lake in the Clouds, a very nice residential community.
http://www.lakeintheclouds.org

ydoc

Go Travel

Are the chain of lakes near Austin also humid in the summer? Are we talking humidity like the Carolinas? I'm from the southern mid-west and it gets pretty steamy also.

Just wondering.

AustinTraveler

I'm not Go Travel, but I can tell you that it is HOT in the summer in Austin but the humidity is not as bad as Florida (where I'm from). Temperatures get much higher here but it doesn't feel as uncomfortable (to me) because the humidity is lower.

Wayne

I would avoid lakes that are too far north, just because you can't enjoy being IN the water very long. However, if you only want to be ON the water (boating, etc) then there are plenty of lakes all over the country.

My choices would be in the Carolinas and Georgia: Hartwell, Keowee, Chatuge, Murray, and in Virginia the lake near Roanoke whose name escapes me.

GoTravel

In Roanoke you would be talking about Buggs Island, Kerr Lake, or Smith Mountain Lake.

I think they are all part of the same body of water.

happytourist

Let me defend Arkansas--it is a really beautiful state. You're probably referring to Hot Springs Village, a gated community about 15 miles from Hot Springs. We have 8 golf courses and several lakes of varying sizes. Monthly property owner assessments are an amazingly low $32 a month, which gives you full access to all amenities (golf, tennis, pools, etc.). We have 26,000 acres (40 square miles), about 5,000 homes, and 13,000 permanent residents. Many people have second homes here and plan to retire here in the future. Because HSV is gated, it's a great place for a second home as you never have to worry about security.

Lake Ouachita, nearby, is about 40 miles long, and considered the second cleanest lake in the US, behind Lake Tahoe. We keep a boat at the state park marina and can be on the lake within 30 minutes of leaving our house.

BTW, more residents came here from Illinois than any other state. In your last statement, you said you were looking for a friendly community--this is it! If you're interested in more information, email me at [email protected].

cobbie

TAHOE!

JJ5

Lake Tahoe has immense property restrictions. For one thing, lakefront Lake Tahoe property would be in the over 5 million dollar range. Also the properties are highly regulated to the point of inspectors coming to check what kind of natural flowers might be growing in your mulch, mulch-type, treefall etc. Even off lake, but in Lake Tahoe, the inspectors regulate style, natural habitat etc. etc.

Lake Tahoe is a glacial lake and at any time of year is almost unswimable as it is extremely cold. Good for fishing, terrible for swimming. My guy's aunt and uncle won a lotto in the 1940's for the chance to buy an off lake lot. They did, they rent it out through an agency. They can't afford to live there themselves. They tried for a 9 month period once. Maintenance costs and taxes are prohibitive unless you're getting $3000 or $4000 a month rentals.

The attraction at Lake Tahoe is the society, casino, winter sports/skiing, mountain views, history/beauty and it's not a typical lake living situation in any sense. Aspen & Lake Tahoe, you practically have to register and put up proof of millions (similar to a pre-approval) BEFORE the existing properties become available. Undeveloped property is restricted and lots are released for sale only every few decades with a lottery type drawing, the last I heard from these folks who own there.

ydoc, you never returned beyond that one answer, and this is an old thread, but I'm curious. What do you consider a large lake? You mention sailing.

I still think AK, KY and TN are the real undiscovered gems.

travel_addict

Have you considered Crystal Lake in Frankfort, MI? It's a beautiful large blue lake, close to Lake Michigan and the Sleeping Bear Sand Dune area.

The other thought I had was Pentwater Lake in Pentwater, MI. Pentwater's a neat little town with all kinds of shops down the main street area. The lake offers direct access to Lake Michigan too. From Chicago, it's probably a little over a 4-hour drive.

ydoc

I love this site! You have given me so much information.. Thanks!

I wish I could click my fingers and I would be in a community on a large inland lake where everyone was new to the area and we all enjoyed our lives.

Decisions, decisions. Okay, I know I want to be in a warmer climate state. I love Texas as I think Texans seem to be so outgoing. It could just be the people I've met over the years. I love the south also since I'm basically a southern/small town girl. Montana was a choice around the Flathead lake area but it is a two plane change to get there. I can't see us taking many trips out there with a two plane change.

When I say a large lake, I mean, large, so you could sail a twenty-thirty foot sailboat. Or when motor boating, there would be restaurants to go to.

Good fishing, sailing, boating, golf, hiking, tennis, great interesting nearby towns, within 45 minutes of major airport.

Am I being too picky?

The only reservations I have with Tenn, Ark, ..... the more inland states is do those lakes have good winds for sailing?

JJ5

I don't know about TX but do think there would be some that fit your description exactly in TX or KY and yes, they would have winds for sailing.

But possibly you would be happier with some of the huge Alabama or TX bass lakes. I know there's one in AL that hosted the biggest bass ever caught in the USA. This is a real Southern Lake, I think it was Smith Lake, but I'm not sure.

If you google AL lakes or TX lakes you will see what you are up against. I found my state and then found my lake.
It didn't happen by wishing. I spent 3 years or so just visiting lakes about every third weekend. Small town lake life is awesome, by the way. My overall view from experience is that if you want established golf courses, restaurants, clubs galore on your lake, it will already be pricey for entry and you won't actually have a small time feel. Much more likely a feel of townies against resorters. Not that that mix can be bad, but it is different.

ydoc

JJ5

You've got me so curious as to what town and lake did your long investigation finally take you to.

Unfortunately, since our kids are in baseball and football, we are limited to two weeks at the end of July for our hunts.

I'm hoping with research on this site, I will be able to plan our vacation for this coming summer.

I don't think trophy fishing is the priorty for us, we want a clean,large lake with great boating.