Island Life

[Frogman]

Hello everyone,

I’m retiring from the military this spring, and my family is in the process of looking for a summer lake house. After spending a few years browsing Zillow and Redfin, we’ve noticed that island properties on Lake Winnipesaukee are an easier fit within our budget.

We’ve visited the lake a few times but always stayed on the mainland. Now, we’re hoping to hear from current or former island homeowners about what it’s really like living on an island.

A few specific things we’d love to know:

What’s the process like for getting housework done? Is it easy and affordable to arrange?

How do you handle grocery shopping and getting other supplies?

What about trash disposal—how does that work on the islands?

What are the parking arrangements on the mainland? It seems like the Rattlesnake Island Association has the most robust mainland presence. Do the other islands have similar setups, or are they more DIY? I'm trying to get a sense of how easy it is to take a boat to our car for a day trip or supply run.

We visited Wolfeboro once in February for skiing and loved it. Is accessing island homes in the winter feasible, or is it more hassle than it’s worth?

And lastly, what’s the overall vibe like on the islands? Is it quiet and peaceful, or do things pick up in certain seasons?

We’re open to doing things a little differently and would really appreciate any advice or insights. After reading a few older posts, it sounds like there are families who’ve been coming to the islands for decades, which is exactly what we’re looking for.

Thanks so much in advance for your help!

[steve-on-mark]

Originally Posted by Frogman

Hello everyone,

I’m retiring from the military this spring, and my family is in the process of looking for a summer lake house. After spending a few years browsing Zillow and Redfin, we’ve noticed that island properties on Lake Winnipesaukee are an easier fit within our budget.

We’ve visited the lake a few times but always stayed on the mainland. Now, we’re hoping to hear from current or former island homeowners about what it’s really like living on an island.

A few specific things we’d love to know:

What’s the process like for getting housework done? Is it easy and affordable to arrange?

How do you handle grocery shopping and getting other supplies?

What about trash disposal—how does that work on the islands?

What are the parking arrangements on the mainland? It seems like the Rattlesnake Island Association has the most robust mainland presence. Do the other islands have similar setups, or are they more DIY? I'm trying to get a sense of how easy it is to take a boat to our car for a day trip or supply run.

We visited Wolfeboro once in February for skiing and loved it. Is accessing island homes in the winter feasible, or is it more hassle than it’s worth?

And lastly, what’s the overall vibe like on the islands? Is it quiet and peaceful, or do things pick up in certain seasons?

We’re open to doing things a little differently and would really appreciate any advice or insights. After reading a few older posts, it sounds like there are families who’ve been coming to the islands for decades, which is exactly what we’re looking for.

Thanks so much in advance for your help!

Feel free to reach out...I can tell you all about it!

Sent from my Pixel 7a using Tapatalk

[Descant]

Now is a good time to make an island VRBO plan for 2026. Buying an island property with no experience may change your perspective on a lot of issues. Life can be very different on the north side of an island (prevailing winds are from NW) compared to the southern exposure. Same with boat traffic that may be almost nonexistent or very noisy. Some islands have great mainland facilities but there may be fees involved or over crowding on some weekends. A relationship with a local marina with boat docking and good car parking may be preferred and you need a place to keep your boat in the winter. Some marinas want year round customers and are restrictive to short term. The marina may also provide dumpster, trailer, and guest parking. Learning to do some level of home repairs yourself may be necessary as getting a plumber or electrician right away can be difficult. You may have to provide transportation. Getting set up with one of several island service companies will solve this, and may be a good plan for opening & closing spring & fall. They may (not always) have cleaning services too. Coordinating with island neighbors for big (barge) jobs like dock repairs and septic pumping is common. Happy to have you come visit.

[Biggd]

Originally Posted by Descant

Now is a good time to make an island VRBO plan for 2026. Buying an island property with no experience may change your perspective on a lot of issues. Life can be very different on the north side of an island (prevailing winds are from NW) compared to the southern exposure. Same with boat traffic that may be almost nonexistent or very noisy. Some islands have great mainland facilities but there may be fees involved or over crowding on some weekends. A relationship with a local marina with boat docking and good car parking may be preferred and you need a place to keep your boat in the winter. Some marinas want year round customers and are restrictive to short term. The marina may also provide dumpster, trailer, and guest parking. Learning to do some level of home repairs yourself may be necessary as getting a plumber or electrician right away can be difficult. You may have to provide transportation. Getting set up with one of several island service companies will solve this, and may be a good plan for opening & closing spring & fall. They may (not always) have cleaning services too. Coordinating with island neighbors for big (barge) jobs like dock repairs and septic pumping is common. Happy to have you come visit.

Agreed, renting first would seem like a good idea, to see if it's really something you want to pursue.

[Slickcraft]

Most island living is DIY. So, it is helpful to have some basic carpentry, plumbing and electrical skills. Island support contractors come and go and in general are to actually hard to get to show up at any time near promised date.

A short boat ride from slip to camp is nice. Actually, getting a boat slip is hard. Almost as hard as finding a nice island camp. Have your research done and be ready to pounce.
West side - fantastic sunsets but often a NW wind. East side - sunrise but much less wind.

If only one boat, an all weather boat like an Eastern is better than a fancy cruiser.
Situations can be variable by island. Gilford islands residents benefit from the Glendale docks with day docking, parking and trash dumpsters.

Once on an island it is a different world with long term neighbors who become long term friends. In general, if you need help, just ask and be happy to reciprocate.

All things considered, most of us islanders moved in and never looked back.

Alan

[ApS]

If I wanted winter access to an island, I'd want a small Hovercraft or airboat.

Islanders here can help. Or use an "advanced search" to turn up the pluses and minuses.

[fatlazyless]

Hovercrafts can flip over and toss you into the frigid water when moving from water to ice or ice to water.

This guy was not wearing a pfd on Saturday afternoon, April 9, 2011 and he drowned in a hovercraft flip-over ..... http://www.nashuatelegraph.com/news/...raft-capsizes/ .... close to Harilla Landing enroute somewhere to his island house on Cow Island or something.

Wearing a pfd can become uncomfortable or too warm so wearing a 2"x 24-36" foam noodle tied tight around the waist has enough flotation to keep you afloat and is more comfortable to wear, plus it makes swimming the breast stroke and side stroke easy-peasy. Plus it can easily be worn tight around the waist under a shirt or a coat so's you don't look ridiculous wearing a bright colored foam noodle.

[BillTex]

Originally Posted by fatlazyless

Hovercrafts can flip over and toss you into the frigid water when moving from water to ice or ice to water.

This guy was not wearing a pfd on Saturday afternoon, April 9, 2011 and he drowned in a hovercraft flip-over ..... http://www.nashuatelegraph.com/news/...raft-capsizes/ .... close to Harilla Landing enroute somewhere to his island house on Cow Island or something.

Wearing a pfd can become uncomfortable or too warm so wearing a 2"x 24-36" foam noodle tied tight around the waist has enough flotation to keep you afloat and is more comfortable to wear, plus it makes swimming the breast stroke and side stroke easy-peasy. Plus it can easily be worn tight around the waist under a shirt or a coat so's you don't look ridiculous wearing a bright colored foam noodle.

When not at the lake house, I can often be found fishing on the open ocean. Many times alone. The Admiral is ok with this…as long as I wear a PFD. Self inflating PFD’s are comfortable, unobtrusive, and will save your life. So I dutifully wear mine when alone.
Not sure i would trust my life to a pool noodle…

[Lakeflier]

Originally Posted by Frogman

Hello everyone,

I’m retiring from the military this spring, and my family is in the process of looking for a summer lake house. After spending a few years browsing Zillow and Redfin, we’ve noticed that island properties on Lake Winnipesaukee are an easier fit within our budget.

We’ve visited the lake a few times but always stayed on the mainland. Now, we’re hoping to hear from current or former island homeowners about what it’s really like living on an island.

A few specific things we’d love to know:

What’s the process like for getting housework done? Is it easy and affordable to arrange?

How do you handle grocery shopping and getting other supplies?

What about trash disposal—how does that work on the islands?

What are the parking arrangements on the mainland? It seems like the Rattlesnake Island Association has the most robust mainland presence. Do the other islands have similar setups, or are they more DIY? I'm trying to get a sense of how easy it is to take a boat to our car for a day trip or supply run.

We visited Wolfeboro once in February for skiing and loved it. Is accessing island homes in the winter feasible, or is it more hassle than it’s worth?

And lastly, what’s the overall vibe like on the islands? Is it quiet and peaceful, or do things pick up in certain seasons?

We’re open to doing things a little differently and would really appreciate any advice or insights. After reading a few older posts, it sounds like there are families who’ve been coming to the islands for decades, which is exactly what we’re looking for.

Thanks so much in advance for your help!

My husband and I had a cottage on Whortleberry Island in Tuftonboro where we stayed full time from ice out to end of October and loved it. Island life is very much DIY, meaning everything comes and goes by boat, mostly your boat. We were lucky to have a private arrangement for dock and car parking. Before buying or renting an island cottage you need arrangements made for both car and boat. We had a post office box at Melvin Village, where we could walk from town dock. For shopping or other events we took either the pontoon boat or the 14’ Lund to shore, walked to where the car was parked, drove to wherever, returned and loaded groceries or whatever into the boat, motored home, unloaded the boat. Trash disposal was the reverse, with trash brought by boat then car to the town transfer station. We liked the pontoon boat, as is a great cargo carrier. We even brought lumber over to build a shed. There were times when we couldn’t get out because of rough weather, so you need to stock up.
For a price you might be able to get trash pickup and housekeeping. For septic pumping you will want to coordinate with neighbors, as the pumper truck will come on a very expensive barge. You will need to use bottled drinking water, as few island cottages have wells, using instead lake water for washing, etc.

Island neighborhoods are friendly, as families depend on one another. So why don’t I live there anymore? My husband died, and I couldn’t manage the cottage alone. I’m a New England girl, so I sold the winter house in North Carolina and the island cottage, and was able to buy a year round lakefront house within view of the cottage.

I agree with other comments that if you’re not sure if island living is for you, you should try renting. Keep in mind before buying that even though the price of island property is less than mainland, other expenses like boat and car arrangements and getting tradespeople to the house eat up the difference. You may not be able to get to the island in winter, as so many people have dock bubblers that ice may not be safe. So go into your island adventure with eyes open and have fun!