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

Pineedles · 04-08-2007, 06:37 AM

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 · 04-09-2007, 07:41 PM

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 · 04-09-2007, 10:42 PM

Quote:

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 · 04-10-2007, 11:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mee-n-Mac

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

Mad-Cow-Island-Disease?

Orion · 04-10-2007, 04:28 PM

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 · 04-10-2007, 07:05 PM

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 · 04-11-2007, 02:13 PM

Quote:

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 · 04-11-2007, 04:39 PM

Quote:

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.

Island Life · 04-11-2007, 09:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Orion

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.

Wow, Orion, can't believe you were out in that storm. I've never seen anything like that before. I've boated through many a rain storm but don't know if I could have handled that one. And it moved in so quickly, too. You got lucky.

SIKSUKR · 04-12-2007, 07:00 AM

Ya,you should try doing that on a PWC.I got caught last year in one of those.Now that's scary!

Winniislander · 04-13-2007, 04:38 PM

Actually, we find our island experiences priceless. We live rather close to the mainland and so inconvenience isn't a big factor. And any excuse for a boat ride is a good one. Fact is, we park the car when we arrive and rarely ever visit it before it is time to go back home. You can boat to almost every need there is (Winnipesaukee rules). When I read about life further out on the lake, I miss the days we were on Cow Island---all those inconveniences were indeed not only part of the charm, but also the most memorable.

04-08-2007, 06:37 AM	#1
Pineedles Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Moultonborough & CT Posts: 2,549 Thanks: 1,074 Thanked 672 Times in 369 Posts	Neighbors 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.

04-09-2007, 07:41 PM	#2
Cow Man Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Cow Island / Holderness, NH Posts: 46 Thanks: 4 Thanked 19 Times in 8 Posts	Island answers & observations 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.

04-10-2007, 04:28 PM	#5
Orion Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: MA Posts: 914 Thanks: 602 Thanked 193 Times in 91 Posts	Island life is true Lake bonding 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.

04-10-2007, 07:05 PM	#6
Pineedles Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Moultonborough & CT Posts: 2,549 Thanks: 1,074 Thanked 672 Times in 369 Posts	PIF and all 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!

04-12-2007, 07:00 AM	#10
SIKSUKR Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 5,075 Thanks: 215 Thanked 903 Times in 509 Posts	Ya,you should try doing that on a PWC.I got caught last year in one of those.Now that's scary! __________________ SIKSUKR

04-13-2007, 04:38 PM	#11
Winniislander Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Needham, MA & Moultonboro Posts: 6 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Island Life... Actually, we find our island experiences priceless. We live rather close to the mainland and so inconvenience isn't a big factor. And any excuse for a boat ride is a good one. Fact is, we park the car when we arrive and rarely ever visit it before it is time to go back home. You can boat to almost every need there is (Winnipesaukee rules). When I read about life further out on the lake, I miss the days we were on Cow Island---all those inconveniences were indeed not only part of the charm, but also the most memorable.