BIG FISH, SMALL LAKE

The Joy Beyond The Big Three

By Sarah Pountney

I’ve spent a lot of time in Muskoka – as a resident, a realtor, and as a witness to its splendor – and I tend to hear about the same lakes and hotspots for buying, for visiting, and for admiring that you do. It’s impossible to deny the pull of the Big Three: Lakes Muskoka, Rosseau and Joseph. They are undeniably majestic, and a dream spot for any prospective cottager.

But Muskoka, boasting over 80 lakes, is more than just its three biggest ones. And if you’re looking to get into the market, then considering some of the lesser known – but hardly lesser – lakes offers the opportunity for a lower price point than the Big Three, while still meeting your cottage wish list: modern design, incredible boating, swimming, fishing, and magnificent views, while offering you a property investment that holds its value.

While the smaller lakes may not have the cachet of their larger and more celebrated counterparts, they are still some of the most beautiful lakes in the world, and they’re all places you and your family will immediately fall in love with. Plus, they’re still close to all the Muskoka lifestyle and amenities that make the region the most desirable second-property market in the country. Worldclass golf and restaurants, exciting nightlife, bespoke boutiques, delectable bakeries and farm-fresh produce aren’t only found next to Muskoka, Rosseau and Joseph.

In fact, there are some incredible advantages to your decision to be adventurous and step outside the Big Three in your cottage search! Some of the smaller lakes offer more affordability, more privacy, and more variety than what’s available elsewhere. And when you’re not using your cottage, your offBig Three property can fill and open up space in the rental marketplace, where competitively priced accommodations are in great demand.

Another great advantage to smaller lake properties is that they offer the kind of remote, away from the city, rural feel that first attracted cottagers to the region. While you may love the excitement of a busy lake bustling with Jet-skis and wakeboarders, long weekend parties, and lively late nights, smaller lakes tend to promise less through traffic and quieter waterways. You can step back in time to a Muskoka of the past, and bask in the luxury of the woods!