Thinking about buying a cabin - several questions

[Queenswake]

1) What would you say is the area closest to the Twin Cities but with the best fishing? Is Friday traffic better 94 out towards Alexandria, 35W north, 10/169, or is Wisconsin the better option? While my ideal location would be up in the Cass Lake area, I know I wouldn't be able to make it up there enough to justify having it.

2) Do you ever get tired of being tied to one body of water? I'm used to camping and staying at resorts all over the state. I do like the excitement of going someplace new and trying out new lakes. There are so many beautiful parts of the state and so many good lakes. I think at the least this is why it would be nice to be on a chain of lakes to add a lot of variety. But I wonder if I'd miss going to other places because I'd feel like I'd have to spend all of my vacation time going to the cabin in order to justify the purchase.

[Maverick]

You bring up many good points and if I were you I would look into buying some off lake property that is near some very good fishing lakes. Get a boat that trailers easily so you can hop from lake to lake. All of the major vacation destinations would meet this criteria. Alex, DL, Grand Rapids, Park Rapids, Bemidji, etc. would offer tremendous fishing oportunities. This way you wouldn't have to invest nearly the amount that it would cost to buy lake property. You could probably land 40 acres of some pretty sweet land for under $100,000.00.

I own lake property about 3 hours from my home. It's a big lake and offers lots of variety, but I bought it 20 years ago for less than what a used car costs now. I like what I have and the distance, but that is just me. I have friends who have done what I mentioned above and they love it.

Whatever you decide just remember that you are buying your little piece of paradise so make sure it fits your needs. Best of luck to you as you persue this.

[CAMAN]

Have you thought about an RV? All the comforts of the cabin without the yard work. Seriously, most cabin owners spend a good majority of their time doing yard work and like you said they are stuck on one lake. You could move anywhere you liked with an RV and be able to pull the boat along.

[cavalierowner]

Quite a few years ago I went through the same thing you are right now. I decided not to buy based strictly on the cost. When I looked at the interest on a loan (or lost interest on a cash investment), property taxes, maintenance, insurance, utility costs, etc., I decided I could stay at some really NICE resorts for several weeks per year and have my choice of lakes to fish. The down side is that I have to pack everything up each time I go, but I pretty much have that down to a science now. As for traffic, there is no good way out or back into the Cities on a weekend, especially a holiday weekend.

[Ufatz]

Queens'....with all respect, I don't think you are ready to own a lake place yet. Do some more traveling. Accumulate a few more years. One area or another may start to attract you more than another. THEN think about a cabin.

They ARE a ton of work, and expense, but you can minimize that with proper planning.

As you say, there are lots of places to go in MN. Go see them first. Then think about a cabin.

[Jim Almquist]

The down side to a cabin is all of the upkeep. Just like owning two houses but it stinks even more when you are fixing/maintaining at the cabin.

I told myself that a 5th wheel that can tow a boat is the route I will take next time. I like the idea of having all the prep work done while at home so when I get to my destination its strictly R&R. It also allows to to see all parts of the state without being tied down to one location.

[JeffS]

One point to consider when you decide on a lake cabin is the quality of the lot. On my lake there are several people who are sandbagging this year due to high water. Some of these folks have been at this lake for decades and have never seen the lake this high.

I would pick a lake lot with some elevation above the water and a cabin that is back from the water a good distance.

[GrizzlyAdams]

As mentioned already, a camper in a resort type area would be a good bet. No taxes, less maintenance and if you decide you don't like it you can move to a different lake/resort area and not be tied down to a certain lake. My aunt and uncle have a trailer in one of these resort type places and love it. I believe they pay about $1500 (I know that is cheap but they are on a lake that isn't the best for fishing) a summer for the lot and he fishes other lakes in the area also.

I wouldn't feel tied down even if you had a cabin on lake. Nothing wrong with trailering to other lakes. Gives you variety. A lot of things to consider. Weigh out all your options and don't be in a hurry. Think it through and figure out what is best for you. Good luck and happy shopping.

[SkunkedAgain]

Queens'....with all respect, I don't think you are ready to own a lake place yet. Do some more traveling. Accumulate a few more years.

+1

Much like marriage, if you haven't found the right man/woman yet then don't just settle for an arranged wedding. Keep playing the field and you'll fall in love with some area or lake. Then you'll probably overspend on a cabin but will be happy! Seriously though, take it from a guy who bought a cabin in his 20s. It's worth making sure that you are on the right lake versus just having a cabin.

[Steve Foss]

1) What would you say is the area closest to the Twin Cities but with the best fishing? Is Friday traffic better 94 out towards Alexandria, 35W north, 10/169, or is Wisconsin the better option? While my ideal location would be up in the Cass Lake area, I know I wouldn't be able to make it up there enough to justify having it.

2) Do you ever get tired of being tied to one body of water? I'm used to camping and staying at resorts all over the state. I do like the excitement of going someplace new and trying out new lakes. There are so many beautiful parts of the state and so many good lakes. I think at the least this is why it would be nice to be on a chain of lakes to add a lot of variety. But I wonder if I'd miss going to other places because I'd feel like I'd have to spend all of my vacation time going to the cabin in order to justify the purchase.

Hey, your avatar says you're in Virginia. The state of Virginia? I'm kinda confused.

Anyway, I'm no TC expert, but I've done my share of leaving town during rush hours, and none of the main arteries are going to be smooth sailing. There'll be backups heading out on every single Friday afternoon/evening, since so many down there are also heading north for the weekend. Same goes for Sconnie. Once you get OUT of the metro area, you're gold whichever way you go.

Coupla other things.

Just because you have a lake cabin doesn't mean you're pinned down to that lake. Even if it's not connected to other lakes via navigable water (channel, creek, river), there's nothing stopping you from trailering that boat to other lakes in the area. For the first few years, however, you may find yourself simply in love with learning the lake you're on. Our family cabin is on a chain of lakes near Bemidji. I can fish five lakes without getting out of my boat because the Turtle River connects all five. Panfish, bass, walleye, pike and musky, all for the taking across five lakes from our cabin. I'd recommend that kind of location to anyone who has happy feet.

We've had a family lake home since 1983, and I'm the one that's done almost all the upkeep on it the whole time. Yes, it can be a pain. I'll tell you, though, that I've done a ton of remodeling and restoration of homes over the years, and I enjoy doing it at the lake home much more than my own home. Why? For me, the cabin is permanent, because my Dad started a tradition. The cabin is getting handed down through the generations, and those who come after us will read the yearly cabin diary and know that great-grandpa Steve was the one who finished the bunkroom in 1996 with 90-year-old tongue-and-groove pine rescued from a cabin down the lake before it got torn down.

Can't say the same for our house. So I feel much differently about work done at the lake home.

[solbes]

Bah, I say go for it. We bought a property when I was about 30. Yes it's been a lot of work, but Yes it's been a TON of fun! I'll try to address your questions below.

1) Traffic headed up north is heavy going any direction north/west. 94 is a zoo, Hwy 10 is a zoo, and 169 & I35 are not much different. I'm not real familiar with travel to Wisconsin, but I assume it would be similar. Brainerd area has the best combination of close proximity and great fishing, but it's also the most expensive (after 'Tonka of course). You can find similar fishing and better value in Park Rapids/Walker or Alexandria areas, but they an additional 30-60 minutes of driving both ways. I personally don't get too tired of the drive, but ask my wife and you might get a different answer.

2) Do I get tired of being on one body of water? Not yet and ours is only 800 acres. I fish the same lake 80% of the time. But there are close to 100 lakes within a 10 mile radius of us in between PR and Walker, so they are only a close trailer ride away. I've only fished maybe 20 of these lakes so far. Leech is 9 miles away and I will never get tired of that body of water.

If you don't want to trailer much if any, then I would suggest buying on a bigger body of water. A lake access property on Leech with boat slip is a very economical choice, and you will never get tired of the fishing there.

There is something to be said for packing the car (32 mpg) with clothes and food only. Once you arrive, you turn a wheel on your lift and you can be fishing in 2 minutes. Once we upgrade to a cabin (from camper), we won't even need to pack clothes and food, just get in the car and go!

[Tom7227]

Many are tempted to buy a place with a friend or sibling. If you do that the smartest thing you can to is to talk to a real estate lawyer and get an agreement done up front dealing with issues such as who pays for what, and most importantly how the thing will be split up or passed on when that time comes. You'll drop some cash now but save your family tons of problems in the future.

IMO folks can pay to rent a cabin many times over for what they probably will pay just as a downstroke on a lake home. On the other hand four couples got together this weekend and had a fantastic time talking about the good old days at one of the group's place up north.

[titelines]

Can only speak for myself on this. Here's my input.

1) Do your homework: My wife and I were in the market for a long time. We spent a lot of time deciding what was important to both of us, and where it was we wanted to be. Once we had that list, we concentrated our efforts on that area. There wasn't a lot of land going up for sale in this area, but when we saw some available we would take a look. It took a few years, but we finally stumbled upon the lot we had visions of in our head all those years.

2) Choose a lake lot vs. a land lot: We chose a lot in the woods, not on the water. This was pretty much based on cost. We analyzed what we could do with the extra money we would've spent on a lake lot and decided we'd put it into other things (better materials, longer driveway etc.).

3) "Work" at the cabin: I agree with Steve in that, we definitely work at the cabin. But, it doesn't feel like work to us. We built a lot of our place ourselves, so there's a lot of pride in keeping it up, and doing the little things that make it feel like "our" place. For example, I love heating our place and having campfires with wood that I've cut and split myself. I also love plowing snow with the ATV, it just doesn't feel like work to me. We're going to landscape so that there's no lawn to mow etc., and most of the materials we used are no/low maintenance. Yes, there's some work to be done, but the "fun" time far outweighs the work (about 80/20 I'd say).

4) "One lake": I agree that you don't ever have to be tied to one lake, even if you live on it. We're not on the water, but I can be on a number of lakes within 1/2 hour. I'd say we have 50 good lakes within an hour of us, and Ely and Grand Marais are each about 1.5 hour drives. I can also be on Lake Superior in about 20 minutes.

5) Costs: The only costs we incur are the mortgage (with taxes escrowed) and the electric bill, which is really very reasonable. It's like anything else...Do the math and see if you can truly afford it .

5) Drive time: Our drive is 3 hours door-to-door. Yes, sometimes it takes longer, but it's usually right on 3 hours. I have also found that you learn alternate routes, out of necessity or just curiosity. I don't need to go straight up 35 to get to our place. There's about 3 other ways I know that the "weekend warriors" don't know about. You can avoid a lot of the traffic if you learn where to go. If you have a year-round place, the traffic is non-existent in the winter time.

This short drive-time also allows us to spend more time at the cabin. If we leave at 5:30 on Friday, we're usually there at 8:30. Plenty of time to decompress, light a fire and enjoy a beverage or two. We don't leave on Sunday until 6:30 or 7:00, but we're home by 10:00 at the latest. so, we really get a full two days there each week.

That's the thing too. We're there pretty much every weekend. It's our place, we can go whenever we want. If you rent a place, you're probably not going to have the luxury of going somewhere every weekend. If you did, that would be very costly too. There's also the flexibility of being able to go at a moment's notice. No last minute reservations etc. Just get in the car and go. We look at our cabin mortgage as a vehicle that allows us at least 8 vacation days every month!

Lastly is the investment. We fully plan to retire at our place someday. The way we have it planned, it should be paid off right about the time I turn 60, so we will hopefully retire with no mortgage payment. Sell our "home" and move up there, and we we should have a nice little nest-egg. That's the plan at least.

The theme in all the replies so far is...do your homework, and lots of it. There's a lot of planning that should go into it before you even begin looking at lots, or an existing cabin. Be truthful with yourself too. Don't let emotions rule, believe the numbers and your gut instinct before jumping in. If you do, and end up pulling the trigger on something, you will love it!!

[traveler]

I asked this same question here a little over a year ago:)

We were looking at a cabin near Red lake, about 3.5 hrs from home (Duluth). We did the pros and cons list...checked and recheacked the numbers, took our time...and bought it. Now it's a year + later and we have zero regrets. Well, we DO regret the dern gas prices, but we're looking for a small car to make that more bearable.

I agree on the "work" thing. Yes, of course it's work, but cabin work really is different from home work:)

One lake? Yes, but it's Red lake:) And 40 minutes to LOTW, with plenty of other water nearby. Haven't needed any of it so far...

We are in the lengthy process of aquiring 2 of everything. It's going to take awhile, but the idea is to truly be able to just gas and go. We're getting there...

If you can swing it, go for it. Ya only live once:)

[Queenswake]

Yes, I am currently living out in the DC area but am moving back to the Twin Cities after 10 years away this summer. I really am thinking about a cabin to make up for so much lost time of not being on the MN lakes.

I've thought about the RV route and getting a permanent site. But the real advantage of the cabin is for the winter. I need to get away in the winter as much as I do during the summer.

As for maintenance, I prefer the small, rustic cabins anyway. One of the reasons is so I don't have to do as much work on it. The ideal cabin would be heavily wooded so little to no grass would be there to mow. And maybe an A-Frame to reduce the amount of exterior maintenance. With an older place, you don't feel a need to keep it super clean and nice. I'll never understand people who but stainless steel appliances, granite appliances, fancy landscaping, etc in their cabins. They are nicer than most people's primary homes. So more to keep looking nice. Even if I was going to retire in my cabin, I'm not sure I'd even want it to be so nice. It's a cabin. The focus is on the outdoors. My ideal cabin is one like I remember from summer camp or at many older resorts. Old log cabin, wood floors, screen door that springs back and slams shut.

It's sad how it seems like it's so much harder to buy a cabin now than our parents' and grandparents' generations. It's incredible how so many people have a cabin in their family going back for generations. It was just cheaper to buy the land back then and build one. And of course it was easier to take long vacations back then too. You hear so many stories of the mom and kids spending the entire summer at the cabin while the dad worked and drove up on the weekends. Talk about an awesome summer.

[Steve Foss]

Yes, I am currently living out in the DC area but am moving back to the Twin Cities after 10 years away this summer. I really am thinking about a cabin to make up for so much lost time of not being on the MN lakes.

I've thought about the RV route and getting a permanent site. But the real advantage of the cabin is for the winter. I need to get away in the winter as much as I do during the summer.

As for maintenance, I prefer the small, rustic cabins anyway. One of the reasons is so I don't have to do as much work on it. The ideal cabin would be heavily wooded so little to no grass would be there to mow. And maybe an A-Frame to reduce the amount of exterior maintenance. With an older place, you don't feel a need to keep it super clean and nice. I'll never understand people who but stainless steel appliances, granite appliances, fancy landscaping, etc in their cabins. They are nicer than most people's primary homes. So more to keep looking nice. Even if I was going to retire in my cabin, I'm not sure I'd even want it to be so nice. It's a cabin. The focus is on the outdoors. My ideal cabin is one like I remember from summer camp or at many older resorts. Old log cabin, wood floors, screen door that springs back and slams shut.

It's sad how it seems like it's so much harder to buy a cabin now than our parents' and grandparents' generations. It's incredible how so many people have a cabin in their family going back for generations. It was just cheaper to buy the land back then and build one. And of course it was easier to take long vacations back then too. You hear so many stories of the mom and kids spending the entire summer at the cabin while the dad worked and drove up on the weekends. Talk about an awesome summer.

Yeah, I hear all that 5 by 5. The nostalgia is thick enough to cut with a knife, and I feel it too. As a boy I spent many a week vacationing at northern Minnesota resorts. It was a damm fine day when I was 21 in 1983 and Mom and Dad bought the cabin. If you take your excellent attitude along with you and find the cabin you want, you are in heaven. Why else do we live here?

Best of luck finding your place. I'm sure you'll locate the right one. Even though your neighbors and their big plans, big houses and big landscaping will drive up property taxes, there are still quite a few humble cabins out there for the buying. Course, if you want to spend time there in winter, it hadn't oughta be TOO humble.

[delcecchi]

And if it is really a Cabin and not one of those McMansions in drag that folks on Vermilion seem so fond of, it isn't that much upkeep.

[whitebassman]

have you looked into Aitkin area? Lots of lakes and good fishing lakes too. Big Sandy and Mille Lacs are nearby, and Brainerd isn't too far also when you want a change of scenery. I always hear good reports out of Aitkin, and I feel it has gone the way of McMansion-like yet as is the case in the Brainerd area.

Also, there is good trout fishing in the mine pits in Crosby area when you feel like it. Aitkin is also a good launching pad for Bemidji, Red Lake, Vermillin, Duluth, Voyageurs, Lake of the Woods, not to mention Cass Lake and Leech Lake. This would the the one area to look at hard if I was you. Lots of small/medium lakes where you should find a more "rustic" cabin which you are looking for.

Another place too is Cold Spring and Spicer area. Definite chain of lakes you are looking for. Driven through Spicer before, nice smaller town atmosphere it seems like. The closer to the metro, the larger the crowds will be!

[BoxMN]

FWIW, I echo several things said above from cabin owners. Here are a few highlights. "Cabin work" is different than other "Work" in that it isn't work. Do it right and there is little of it and NONE that can't be done with a beer (or pop) in your hand.

I used to be one who never wanted a cabin, for many reasons stated. But once we got one (rustic) I fell in love and it is my favorite place on Earth. Summer, fall, winter and spring, we use it all the time. Never get sick of my lake, and it is tiny. (But tons of well known and busy lakes from Mille Lacs to Gull to WFC to Leech are all well within range if the need arises).

Key thing for me is water quality. I love fishing many lakes (was in WC MN last weekend) that have dirty water, etc., but our lake is crystal clear and that is big positive for me. I can watch watch smallies go by our beach from about 50 feet away on shore. Makes swimming fun too. I come back to WBL or other "clear" lakes and wonder why it looks so dingy and green... My brother says I am a clear water snob now...

Go and look around mid July and see what the shore area looks like. Some don't like weeds, and we have natural sand beech where I don't do anything to keep weeds out, they just stay out. This is big part of price, not just being on water, but having quality shore when you get there - and hopefully not one who poisons everything to a few feet of swimming area. (Different subject though...)

Also look at elevation. We have about 35 steps going down to beech area, and while not that bad, having level elevation would be nice, especially when you get older. Again, price goes down with every step wish ours was not quite as many steps, ha!

Look at everything around you - how close can you hunt? Messy neighbors? You say you want to use it in winter, and I appreciate that tons! I finally got sleds and love it! Every weekend. How close are you to trails? Have decent access?

Anyway, I am rambling. I love our cabin, still got to other places, but not nearly as much. That is fine with me though. Picking up grandkids after school today and heading up! Nothing else in the car but two old people, two kids, a dog and some goodies. All clothes and food fishing gear and, well, everything, is already up there, so packing is easy, ha!

Good luck with whatever you end up with, and have a great Memorial Day weekend all! (we will stop to get poppies on the way up...)

edit - btw, our trip is 2.5 hours door to door, not speeding. But if we leave from 3:30 to 6:00 on Friday, add about 30 mins to an hour on that. Leave after 6 and no problem. We always stay late on Sunday, so no problem at all is you leave after about 4 or so. We leave about 6-8 pm tho. This is for Crosslake area, NE of Brainerd. Crosby or Aitkin are about 30 mins less, Emily, Fifty Lakes are the same, for just a few areas that still have true "cabins" left. Ours is a mix of old and new (my avatar is old cabin, now used for fun "shed" with bar and fish cleaning and duck cleaning and dog kennels, and our new, which is modern 1200' place, nice but very modest and all maintenance free and insulated awesome for keeping winter heating prices down).

[bturck]

i think all of the pros and cons have been covered here, and I might say with excellent advise and detail. I will only relay our own personal expierance to add to the mix of, you only live once. In '05 we bought a cabin in East Central Mn. 1 hr 15 minutes door to door. We did some upgrades, plumbing, carpet, vinyl siding, tongue and groove interior and a deck. This is not a mansion, 576 sq ft, but that means we don't have to maintain two full size dwellings. Its nice and cozy and we have a furnace so winter is not a wasted season. I can also concurr with Steve Foss its totally different working at the cabin than at home. I retired in '08 and instead of 2-3 day weekends my wife and I now go when we want to. So over the past 7 years have I any regrets,ABSOLUTLEY NONE, would I do it again IN A HEARTBEAT. We also looked for quite some time before we opted for this particular location. Yes there are costs involved,but what the heck resorts don't rent for pennies either anymore. There is absolutlye nothing more remarkable than a 530am sunrise as the fog lifts off the water, or a good Scotch while the sun sinks in the west and you anticipate the new day soon to arrive. I am totally fortunate that my wife loves to fish and together we spend 100's of hours on the water each year. I wish you the very best with your decision and search for that piece of heaven.......I'm leaving for the cabin in an hour, be back........when I get back......

[Chris Haley]

I really like the 5th wheel idea also. Find a resort that rents by the season and hit a different lake each year. If you find one you like a lot, spend a couple summers there. I have friends here in Bemidji that have 5th wheels just on Cass and love it.

[cylinder]

A 5th wheel would be a good option but be sure to check on lot availability at some of the lakes you'll want to go to. A lot of the places that rent by the season have a waiting list and it takes several years to get to the top, especially on the 'good' lakes.

[not_nuf_time]

Box and Steve are right, the work at the lake isn't all that bad. Ususally plenty of time to get projects done when the wind is blowing to hard or you just need a break from fishing. You really have to decide if your a cabin person or a roamer.

[fishgutz77]

My dad has built a cabin near the Whitefish chain and has been working on it for 20+ years.

We have all chipped in and I have mixed feelings about maintence at times but I think owe it to my grandfather who bought the 40 in 1937 and my dad who has done 70% of the work to carry on this little legacy.

But it will cut into my fishing time. On the flip side I deer hunt there and fish and have a place to stay up north when they are not up there.

There is something special about a piece of the rock up north even though we have a lake place in Wright county with 20 acres.

I would seriously consider waiting one more year to see what this next housing bubble will do to property values as you may get an even better deal next fall.

That should give you more time to figure out what part of the state you like most.

good luck.

[traveler]

theres ANOTHER houseing "bubble"?? nobody tells me anything...