Hubby and I are working on where we want to retire to and after much thought, we have decided that we are going to have to live one place in the south for 3/4 of the year and some place in the north for the other 1/4 due to climate. I would like to have our summer place be located on a lake or pond because I love to go fresh water fishing. I don't want to go to developed areas because I like the quiet and solitude. Can anyone suggest areas in Maine that I could still find a reasonably priced (less than $75,000) cabin on a lake or pond? I would like a little bit of land to go with it so my neighbors won't be right with me. Also, since I spent most of my life in New Hampshire, moved to Virginia twelve years ago, I know that I can't find what I am looking for in NH but I remember that the misquitoes and black flies were a challenge when I was gardening. Are the bugs the same in Maine? Any drawbacks to spending summers on a lake in rural Maine that you can think of? I've done some research on the internet but would like to hear from some of you who are already living there.
Colleen
Hubby and I are working on where we want to retire to and after much thought, we have decided that we are going to have to live one place in the south for 3/4 of the year and some place in the north for the other 1/4 due to climate. I would like to have our summer place be located on a lake or pond because I love to go fresh water fishing. I don't want to go to developed areas because I like the quiet and solitude. Can anyone suggest areas in Maine that I could still find a reasonably priced (less than $75,000) cabin on a lake or pond? I would like a little bit of land to go with it so my neighbors won't be right with me. Also, since I spent most of my life in New Hampshire, moved to Virginia twelve years ago, I know that I can't find what I am looking for in NH but I remember that the misquitoes and black flies were a challenge when I was gardening. Are the bugs the same in Maine? Any drawbacks to spending summers on a lake in rural Maine that you can think of? I've done some research on the internet but would like to hear from some of you who are already living there.
Colleen
The breezes that typically come off the lake take care of the blackflies.
I don't think you'll get much with land, on a lake, for $75,000. Our camp is on a small lot, on the lake, dirt road, no electricity, very rustic - well over $100,000. Editing later to add: We did not buy this camp. We don't have that kind of money for a house let alone a camp. My great grandfather built it. It was passed on to me.
You might think about renting first....or getting a travel trailer on a campground near water....
We have a cabin near Rangeley and Flagstaff...Half mile from Dead River....complete with running water and outhouse.....we've been offered 3 times assessed value.... 6 acres of land
We might rent it for a summer if the right person came along....
My neighbor has a camp on the Sebasticook River and is asking 199,000.00. Check out www.realtor.com they will have all the listing of current property and prices. Talk about "sticker shock" up here. If it has water.. even a stream you can't touch it for a mere $75,000.00.
Boy, I sure wish I had bought those lake condos in New Hampshire for high teens early twenties when we were looking at them in the early 1980s. :waa: We would have made a killing selling them now. Oh well, I don't retire for another five years, maybe I'll wait to see if a real estate bust happens between now and then. I could afford to pay more but I am trying to buy something that can be totally paid for by the time I retire because I want to be mortgage free on both homes by then. Guess I'll just have to wait and see. I may have to give in and carry some mortgage debt.
Colleen
I was listening to NPR this morning and they were talking about how high the prices of land on lakes has gotten in Northern Maine. I was absolutely amazed because they said it had happened in less than five years. Land that sold for around $40K five years ago was now selling for $150K or more. They also talked about how the state was requiring that small towns have certain things like animal control officers that were causing the taxes to skyrocket. So they were starting to relinquish their townships to the state so that the state would have to provide their services and the town would be done away with. How sad. Maybe my dream for a summer place on a lake will never be. I'll keep looking though. I may luck into something.
You might consider New Brunswick or Nova Scotia for a summer place. Even with the falling US$ the prices are still very good when compared to Maine/New England. I bought a place in New Brunswick two years ago, and my brother and I go up every year (usually in hunting season) and enjoy it very much. The web site below first attracted me to the area, and I did meet with the gentleman who runs the site/business. Although I did not buy a property listed with him, he directed me to the property I did buy. Good luck in your search.
The only way you might get something for that price is hit the boonies or Canada. The people are so much nicer in Canada, and the prices are better. I paid $35,000 just for land on a stream, but it is in a neighborhood, good for the kids. AND make sure you are in a constant breeze, or the bugs will carry you off.
P.S. I found this one in Realtor.com, I got my dogs from Garland, it is 30? minutes from Moosehead lake, 40 + minutes from Augusta, which is in the middle of the state.
Garland, ME 04939
MLS ID#: 627013
$29,900
10 Acres
Private building site. Nicely wooded with 50 foot common lot on Garland Pond that is very close. Owner will consider financing, call today.
Land Property
County: Penobscot County
Waterfront property
Approximately 10 acre(s)
Lot size is between 10 and 20 acres
Topography: Located on a dead end, Walk to water, Mobile home(s) allowed, Recreational land, Residential land, Rural property, Wooded area/setting, Wooded, Pond area/setting, Body of water : Garland pond ; 50 ft of Waterfront
Parcel Access: Gravel road
GR8LIFE -- You might want to check out up around the Abbot area. My brother bought a good size 2-3 bedroom house with 2 acres for about $45,000. There is also Corinna, and several other towns in the area. I believe Abbot is about 15 miles m/l from Big Squaw Ski area, not far from Moosehead Lake.
Lincoln maine has 13 lakes and lot's of ponds. The price has gone up alot in the last few years. I don't think it will come down. CWA realty is a great place to start, Krik is a very helpful guy. www.cwalakestreet.com 207-794-2139. Good luck.
BTW....the bugs are as bad as the weather so far this Spring ...almost Summer.
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