Thinking of buying a Cabin - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

jeffporfirio · 07-24-2015, 09:21 AM

Trusting the collective CP knowledge.

I've been throwing the idea around of investing in a cabin, for summer/fall/spring recreational use.
We have 3 kids between 2 and 12, so I want to get something close to some sort of civilization.
We've rented in the radium/windermere area in the past years, and we like it, but I feel it is way overpriced.

Can you guys recommend options? (we're not from Alberta, have only been in Calgary for 5 years)
Being near the water is nice, but not indispensable. Same thing for the mountains, although we probably would not use it during the winter.
Within a 5 hour drive would be nice.
Should I look south of the border?

Thanks in advance

Fuzz · 07-24-2015, 09:27 AM

Have you considered somewhere like Little Bow? I've only been once years ago but seamed nice.

Canehdianman · 07-24-2015, 09:40 AM

Honestly, I'd keep renting until you find a place you can't live without.

That way, you can go to a new place every year and don't need to worry about maintenance.

Also, South of the border opens up a lot of potential tax issues.

troutman · 07-24-2015, 09:50 AM

Crowsnest.

BC - Creston, Nelson, Naramata

Idaho - Sandpoint

OMG!WTF! · 07-24-2015, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Canehdianman

Honestly, I'd keep renting until you find a place you can't live without.

That way, you can go to a new place every year and don't need to worry about maintenance.

Also, South of the border opens up a lot of potential tax issues.

Tax issues and exchange issues....add 30%.

Agreed. Keep renting, wait for deals. I always liked the small community of houses/cabins near lower kananaskis lake. 700k-1.5

http://www.realtor.ca/PropertyDetail...rtyId=15546333

Bragg Creek has some choice places too. You can't beat k country..

Frequitude · 07-24-2015, 09:59 AM

Rent.

If I were to buy though, I'd go to Montana. Tons of lakes with way more value that Invermere or the Shushwap.

Thor · 07-24-2015, 10:01 AM

Same as everyone else, I say keep renting. Its just neat at first and then as the years pass it becomes a pain to own one.

With renting you can always go new places and not have the burden of taking care of a place you might visit a few times a year.

Sliver · 07-24-2015, 10:05 AM

I go through this in my head all the time, too. I jazz myself up for it, then start going through all the costs (insurance, maintenance, taxes, etc. - let alone the cost of the property and mortgage if you need one) and it just doesn't seem worth it.

Do you hire somebody to do all the handyman stuff around the place, or do you spend your vacation time doing that? How much time can you actually use the place? Calculate your per-night cost on a yearly basis. Personally, I can't justify it, but I definitely get the appeal. And the kids would love it, which has value for sure.

jeffporfirio · 07-24-2015, 10:11 AM

Thanks to all, for your responses.
Although, carrying clothes, toys, condiments, etc. when renting is a hassle. The upkeep, maintenance, yardwork, etc. might be a bigger hassle.

Convinced, renting it is. At least, until I'm older, and crankier, and ready to spend my weekends doing maintenance on a second home.

Can you guys recommend other places around Alberta/Montana/Eastern BC, within a 5 hour drive where I could find decent rentals?

Thanks for the little bow recommendation, and as I mentioned we have done the Windermere/radium area already.

Canehdianman · 07-24-2015, 11:22 AM

I'm camping down on Flathead Lake in Montana in a few weeks, I'll let you know if I see something pretty

Coach · 07-24-2015, 11:40 AM

Christina lake is a top notch location. I recommend looking there.

Stay the hell away from Windermere, overpriced, overcrowded.

calgarygeologist · 07-24-2015, 11:57 AM

Christina lake is great. Our go to area is Whitefish/Kalispell Montana. There are lots of rentals and properties for purchase in the area. It is cheaper than Invermere although the exchange rate really hits the pocketbook right now.

cam_wmh · 07-24-2015, 12:00 PM

Family has had a place in Windermere for 25 years.

You want to see overcrowded?

It's next weekend. Grab a beer, take a seat on your dock/beach, and just watch the chaos on the water.

MacDaddy77 · 07-24-2015, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cam_wmh

Family has had a place in Windermere for 25 years.

You want to see overcrowded?

It's next weekend. Grab a beer, take a seat on your dock/beach, and just watch the chaos on the water.

My inlaws have had a cabin there since 1977.

I agree with you that next weekend is an absolute gong show, however other than that it's really only 2-3 weekends in the summer that are really bad. and when we stay mid week for vacation it's a ghost town

Nowadays with the big surf boats you have to be on the water before 9am (absolute latest) if you want to slalom ski -

Invermere is great in my opinion, it's only 2hrs 45 mins away and has great lake, great golf and Panorama has some of the best fall line skiing in the rockies.

Fuzz · 07-24-2015, 12:32 PM

9am? HA! When I used to go there we used to get up at 6. 9am was hopeless, and that was 10-15 years ago. I do remember having some great skiis into September, we always tried to make Thanksgiving out there for our last ski of the season. Only people on the lake most of the time then.

Sorry, off topic...

Weitz · 07-24-2015, 01:01 PM

We have a place at Wabamun. Love it. Lots of beautiful weather and lots of nice calm days.

undercoverbrother · 07-24-2015, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fuzz

Have you considered somewhere like Little Bow? I've only been once years ago but seamed nice.

Then time has faded your memory, that place is wind blown and the lake is freezing.

MacDaddy77 · 07-24-2015, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fuzz

9am? HA! When I used to go there we used to get up at 6. 9am was hopeless, and that was 10-15 years ago. I do remember having some great skiis into September, we always tried to make Thanksgiving out there for our last ski of the season. Only people on the lake most of the time then.

Sorry, off topic...

I meant 9 am as the latest. We also get up around 6:30-7 am on the days when 3-4 people want to ski.

September is awesome in the valley

Erick Estrada · 07-24-2015, 01:04 PM

Flathead Lake Montana. Big lake and close proximity to Kalispell. Lanny McDonald has a nice little Brewery/Restaurant there.

undercoverbrother · 07-24-2015, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeffporfirio

Thanks to all, for your responses.
Although, carrying clothes, toys, condiments, etc. when renting is a hassle. The upkeep, maintenance, yardwork, etc. might be a bigger hassle.

Convinced, renting it is. At least, until I'm older, and crankier, and ready to spend my weekends doing maintenance on a second home.

Can you guys recommend other places around Alberta/Montana/Eastern BC, within a 5 hour drive where I could find decent rentals?

Thanks for the little bow recommendation, and as I mentioned we have done the Windermere/radium area already.

Kimberley is a lovely little place both in the summer and winter.

Lots of rental places and lots of out door stuff to do in summer/winter.