Ok…I live in SE Michigan. Wife and I are looking to buy a smaller, weekend getaway sort of home. We’re looking for lakefront…no more than 4-5 hours from SE Michigan (Farmington). Lake must be nice and clean for swimming…would prefer wake-free but not necessary…nothing too busy. Subjectively ‘cute’ town would be great. Nice running and cycling routes would be superb! We ain’t rich, so no million dollar listings at Higgins Lake or something crazy like that! So we’ve looked at places around Torch Lake, Lake Charlevoix, and Long Lake. But it’s become intimidating looking around because there are so many freaking lakes around! Suggestions would be very helpful. Thanks!
Might be on the long side of your distance traveled, but Fife Lake is an incredible little town and lake.
Lake Lapeer
Lake Metamora
Lake Orion
Standford lake
The twin lakes in Lewiston
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Torch is clearly the best, but just behind is Elk Lake - property is cheaper and Elk Rapids is a nice little town…have you thought about Lake Michigan…VERY NICE
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Check out the mutitude of lakes around the Waterloo and Pinckney rec areas near Chelsea. Most are clean to swim in, great trails for running/ hiking, and good cycling in the area. If I could swing it I would have a lake house. Plus only an hour drive. Good time to buy!
Torch is clearly the best, but just behind is Elk Lake - property is cheaper and Elk Rapids is a nice little town…have you thought about Lake Michigan…VERY NICE
so far, the only properties we’ve been able to find that actually has lake frontage onto lake michigan are all very very expensive…all 7 figure or close. BUT…we just started looking a couple days ago.
Does it have to be actual lakefront? Because good view + deeded access would be a lot more affordable.
My parents have friends who live on the dunes/bluffs in Grand Haven within walking distance to the the state park, and they’re very happy there. You’re not paying for Lake Michigan frontage, only a state parks pass for a good beach access point right down the way
On the far edge of your drive time limit but Cedarville in the UP has been hit hard by the recession and there are many, many places going for an absolute steal. Look here:
http://www.johngriffinrealestate.com/
I went down Lakeside Dr. a few weeks ago and about every third house was for sale.
I paid a visit to Big Blue Lake last summer and had a couple of fantastic open water swims. Lake is technically open to boats but there are very few there and the population there is unlikely to grow since much of the land is occupied by boy scout camps. There are some good rural roads there too for rides. I’d buy there if it was closer to home.
Only down side is no nearby towns. If you’re looking for parties it might not be the place, but if you want to chill I’d recommend it.
Port Austin. 2-3 hour drive from SE Michigan. Lake Huron!
We just got 6 foot shoulders for bikes!
Hubbard Lake. South of Long Lake by about 30 miles. Clearest water you’ll swim in, great fishing & quiet. Surrounded by hills & lots of woods–all paved so you can swim, bike & run out there all while enjoying the beauty of Northeastern Michigan.
Glen Lake
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Walloon lake, Crooked Lake, Silver Lake, Thumb Lake, Mullet Lake, Burt Lake. Honestly, look at at Northern Michigan. It is a completely different world up there, nothing like any part of southern Michigan and all their crowded lakes and suburbs.
You are correct – Torch is CLEARLY the best. My family has been going up there since the 1950s (I’m only 23), and it is just stunning every time I see it. The sandy bottom, the crystal clear water, never heavy on boat traffic, the sand bar at the South end if you’re looking to party, Dockside for some lunch…man, can’t wait to get back up there. Plus, for you endurance nerds, the ride around Torch is a great one.
Tin below mentions Glen, which is also a beautiful place, and I like the parks area around Glen, some cool hiking and things you can do as far as Dune and the like…but it ain’t no Torch.
You can find a house on Torch with 50-100 of frontage for under a million easy. Just look hard and be willing to sacrifice some house for the fact that you’re on one of the most beautiful lakes in the world.
Luke
I’ve been spending my summers on North Lake Lelanau for the last 34 years. Beautiful lake, Leland is a great little cozy town and the riding is supurb. If you go further to Northport you can get on lake Michigan for cheap, but that town is dying a bit.
Perks are it’s close to Traverse you can actually get stuff when you need it, but you don’t get any city feel.
Walloon lake, Crooked Lake, Silver Lake, Thumb Lake, Mullet Lake, Burt Lake. Honestly, look at at Northern Michigan. It is a completely different world up there, nothing like any part of southern Michigan and all their crowded lakes and suburbs.
Shhh! Chino, you’re giving away all our secrets!
get a realtor. a seasoned one who can give you some good references who match your circumstances.
even in today’s somewhat depressed market, the best properties quite often don’t even get listed. the good realtors have a solid network built up and let everyone else know what you are looking for. when one that fits the bill is being reviewed for a listing by one of those networked realtors, your realtor is the first call they make. even before listing. if you like it and everything works, the place is sold without a listing.
so get a good realtor who is connected.
and that is assuming you are already set up for financing, or will write a check. don’t bother messing around without one or the other.
My bad, my bad
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For “bang for your buck” I would humbly suggest you avoid the Western side of the Northern Lower. I own a small place just north of Roger’s City. In the area, there are several inland lakes that are in the category you are looking for. Look at Long Lake, Grand Lake and a bit further north Black Lake Lake. You can also go the route I did and buy on on Lake Huron herself…no you won’t have the sunset’s of Lake Michigan, but it is far less crowded and the fishing is arguably better.
Southwest Michigan is pretty good for all that. Indiana is busy where I live but I run into Michigan and it gets quiet and relaxing, the water is nice and calm, the people are friendly and the summers are a good time. Start around Grand Beach MI and run north and those areas of small towns tend to be good places for a getaway cottage.