Living on an Island - Worth it? The Unknowns, Cost Effective?

[Electric man]

Island living sounds like it has it's limitations, but it sounds great to me.
How many people really live on and island all year round?

[Blue Thunder]

Although my situation is a bit different than most of you posting here (we have a ferry) Island life is the only way to go. There are no street lights, no pavement, you can't see your hand in front of your face at night, the stars are brighter, the sunsets more spectacular, and on and on. Amazingly, as others have said, the mosquitos and black flies are almost non existent. I can sit on the deck or dock for hours on end and do absolutely nothing but watch the world go by. There is truly nothing like Island Life.

Blue Thunder

[RLW]

Originally Posted by Blue Thunder

Island life is the only way to go. There are no street lights, no pavement, you can't see your hand in front of your face at night, the stars are brighter, the sunsets more spectacular, and on and on. Amazingly, as others have said, the mosquitos and black flies are almost non existent. I can sit on the deck or dock for hours on end and do absolutely nothing but watch the world go by. There is truly nothing like Island Life.
Blue Thunder

I have read this site each night and I'm a main lander and I have everything you all have mentioned living on the islands. I live on a town road, but do not hear or see a car as I live way in the woods away from it, but enjoy the water and sitting on the pier looking at the stars. When I need fire wood all I need to do is pick up the phone and it is delivered without waiting for certain time of the year, when I need the septic tank pumped, again it is just a phone call away and they're pumping within an hour. A big thing also is, when unexpected company comes it is alot easier to get to the store and get what is needed to fill their tummy's, it being liquid and/or solid. I hate to say it, but I think I have the best of the 2 worlds.

[Island Life]

Originally Posted by RLW

I have read this site each night and I'm a main lander and I have everything you all have mentioned living on the islands. I live on a town road, but do not hear or see a car as I live way in the woods away from it, but enjoy the water and sitting on the pier looking at the stars. When I need fire wood all I need to do is pick up the phone and it is delivered without waiting for certain time of the year, when I need the septic tank pumped, again it is just a phone call away and they're pumping within an hour. A big thing also is, when unexpected company comes it is alot easier to get to the store and get what is needed to fill their tummy's, it being liquid and/or solid. I hate to say it, but I think I have the best of the 2 worlds.

It sounds like you have it pretty good, RLW. Still, I wouldn't trade my island life.

[Parker Island Fun]

we love our island! we have only had one summer under our belt so far its great. all the draw backs listed above are true but the positives are too long to list. the cost per dollar per visit is fine but its not a money saver in my opinion. time seems to fly by and there is never enough time to really explore and veg out maybe over time we will adjust. so far its been great.

[KPW]

Originally Posted by RLW

A big thing also is, when unexpected company comes it is alot easier to get to the store and get what is needed to fill their tummy's, it being liquid and/or solid. .

On an island, you don't have unexpected company.

[TomC]

Originally Posted by KPW

On an island, you don't have unexpected company.

I drop by my brother's place on Little Bear all the time...!

[SIKSUKR]

Originally Posted by TomC

I drop by my brother's place on Little Bear all the time...!

No comment.

[Little Bear]

Originally Posted by TomC

I drop by my brother's place on Little Bear all the time...!

Yes he does - I can attest to that! (From someone who knows...)

[RLW]

Originally Posted by KPW

On an island, you don't have unexpected company.

Now you are missing something. I myself just love to have unexpected company of friends and yes even relatives. (And I do not have to go get them or take them back) I love to watch all of them enjoying the swimming, water skiing and all the other things that go along with owning a wonderful home on the lake side. The really best part is when they drive in unexpectedly and bring the liquid refreshments and we all sit on the pier and start happy hour at 3 and the kids are having a ball for themselves.

[Pineedles]

I know those of you who live on islands don't have a car there but what's in your backyard? Have you established footpaths to other island residents? Is there a central gathering point in the middle of the island? Just curious.

[Island Girl]

My backyard is all wooded.. If I climb up the hill there is a construction path that can be used to get to neighbors... walking across neighbors yards is another way to get around... I mostly visit by jetski.

Of course in our backyards there is a variety of wildlife to watch..

I love the solitude, the quiet, the noise, the peace, the seasons, and being around others who feel the same way.

IG

[hazelnut]

On the Islands we gather just about every weekend. Someone hosts a happy hour or a card game at least once or twice a weekend. Don't even get me started about the Cow Belle pontoon boat adventures. If you ever see a group of loud crazy tone def singers cruising around cow on a pontoon boat that is painted to look like a cow just block your ears and we will be gone. I like drop ins but our drop ins have boats. A much better brand of drop in customer. Nothing beats Island life, I did both. I grew up on the mainland on waterfront. My parents sold it and I bought an Island home. Best decision I've ever made!

[RLW]

Originally Posted by Island Girl

My backyard is all wooded.. If I climb up the hill there is a construction path that can be used to get to neighbors... walking across neighbors yards is another way to get around... I mostly visit by jet ski.
Of course in our backyards there is a variety of wildlife to watch..
I love the solitude, the quiet, the noise, the peace, the seasons, and being around others who feel the same way.
IG

That all sounds fantastic and I'm sure it's all that you say it is. My concern is the extra big bucks it costs to have daily chores done on an island. (new furniture del., septic pumped, new carpet/tile laid a bottle of milk and/or coffee because someone forgot to bring it) The problem of looking for a way to get to your place off season when needed. When I come to my home I don't want to feel that I have to be at a neighbors to play cards or or anything else as it is what we always do. I come to do my own thing which includes solitude, very little noise and peace. There hasn't been one thing mentioned that some of us have on the main land such as mountains to climb within a 5 minute walk, state and private snowmobile trails within 4 minute ride from the yard, excellent walking area and no problem with unleashed pets and oh ya woods in my back yard to walk through. I guess what I'm trying to say is, both life styles are great and if you are in for some small inconviences then seasonal island living is fantastic.

[Formula260SS]

I say it depends on what you are looking for, after spending the last 10 years with friends at their places we decided to build ourselves on an island. To me it's what being on the lake is about, in a cottage that's nothing like my home enjoying the privacy and spending time with family and friends. If your looking for the comforts of home then it's not going to work. I don't think anyone can argue that it isn't cheaper, cost is less and taxes are less. It is more work for sure but for me that's part of the adventure.

Just my .02 cents

[Pineedles]

It sounds as if people who live on islands have a closer relationship with their neighbors. I would imagine that borrowing that cup of sugar or 1/2 dozen eggs goes on alot more among island folk, hence better relationships.

[Cow Man]

How many live fulltime on the islands – All of us, we just happen to physically be somewhere else several months during the year.

Seriously, I know of only one soul on Cow that truly lives there fulltime. You would need to be physically fit, self reliant and own specialized equipment to survive the times when ice isn’t safe, the power is out and the food runs low. That said, I generally pack up in October – November and am back as soon as ice is out so you can fairly easily access the property seven months by boat and another two months between January and March by ski, snowmobile or other contraption.

It is odd that fifty degrees is much warmer in March than in October and everybody wants to help open camp but few are around to close it.

Yes there are paths around the islands, usually at the waterfront, well worn by generations of folks exploring what lies beyond the next bend. Some have golf cart traffic, most are for scrambling. I find a kayak works fine for visiting neighbors.

The interior is town owned and there is no fixed gathering place but lots of unspoiled forest and artifacts from days gone by.

No, we are not crazy, we just like to paint our boats like cows, dance on our docks to Sinatra tunes, and perhaps go for a midnight swim naked; perfectly sane.

[Mee-n-Mac]

Originally Posted by Cow Man

No, we are not crazy, we just like to paint our boats like cows, dance on our docks to Sinatra tunes, and perhaps go for a midnight swim naked; perfectly sane.

Sounds like we should have the next Forum Fest at Cow I.

[Weirs guy]

Originally Posted by Mee-n-Mac

Sounds like we should have the next Forum Fest at Cow I.

Mad-Cow-Island-Disease?

[Orion]

If you love being at the Lake, and like boating, then you get immersed in both every weekend you go up. There's a lot of talk about inconveniences, but I don't really see it. The only difference is an extra transfer of groceries from your car to your boat (not even that if you shop by boat!). If you forget something on the mainland, you still need to go to the store to get it...on an island, it just means another boat ride!

Of course, a lot depends on where your island is relative to conveniences and calm-water travel. There are some island locations where you can get locked out by bad weather and other's where that is never the case.

You also need to consider mainland access so you need to own or rent a dock or rack on mainland. From what I've seen, any added costs for services are more than offset by higher mainland waterfront taxes and I haven't really seen any huge disparity in service costs. The extra quiet without motor vehicles, the friendships and neighborlyness of other islanders, fewer bugs, less access for riffraff, all makes it worth it to me.

Being away from it during the winter makes the desire to be there in the Spring all that much stronger. I wouldn't trade island life for anything.

[Pineedles]

Island living doesn't seem to be that markedly different than mainland living. Appreciation for the wildlife, people nearby who think like you do (that it's all beautiful), a place to regenerate, etc, etc,.... I think the only difference is that it takes a more adventurous soul. My hat is off to you islanders! (it is a Red Sox hat)

Once your there though, I bet you occasionally wish for that ability for a quick trip to the greenfront!

[Parker Island Fun]

Originally Posted by Pineedles

Once your there though, I bet you occasionally wish for that ability for a quick trip to the greenfront!

you'd be surprised! having to go for a boat ride even in the rough weather is half the fun. and makes for great stories

[Orion]

Originally Posted by Parker Island Fun

you'd be surprised! having to go for a boat ride even in the rough weather is half the fun. and makes for great stories

I love the challenge....just need to plan for and be prepared for it. One day had to get mainland to commute to work so it was early in the morning. Fog so thick you couldn't see 10' in front of the boat. GPS and compass and slow speed got me the 2.5 miles to the mainland dock, but it was an adventure!

Another time got to the Lake Friday night and saw some approaching dark clouds. We figured we'd be able to get to the island before they hit so we quickly loaded up the boat and headed out. Problem was these were the severe squalls that came through in 2005 and wiped out a lot of trees. The squalls were traveling over 45 mph and creating strong gusts downbursts and water spouts and were overtaking us by the time we hit the open water. Had it full throttle out and into the cove with just enough time to wrap a few lines at each end of the dock and duck into the shelter of the house before many of the tree branches started falling. Whew! close call....too close.

But to offset all that, there's the usual peaceful sunset cruise on Sunday nights as we head to our home away from the Lake.......aaagh.

[Parker Island Fun]

Originally Posted by Pineedles

I know those of you who live on islands don't have a car there but what's in your backyard? Have you established footpaths to other island residents? Is there a central gathering point in the middle of the island? Just curious.

we have a path to the other home on the island and we get together often. but the silence, the noise, the loons, and friendly boaters, etc all make life anything but boring.

[dmjr]

Wow, after reading all of these posts, it sounds like island life is an experience. Just gives me a goal to work that much harder to maybe an island propety owner someday soon!