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Instead of worrying about how to afford a lakefront home or cabin, consider making your cabin or lakefront home your primary residence. Think it can’t be done? Consider these factors before making a decision.

When Stan and Marcia Kulbitski decided to move from their St. Paul Park home to their newly purchased lake home on Lake Wapogasset in Amery, Wisconsin in the mid 1990’s, they knew there would be a trade-off.

They were giving up life in the Twin Cities, with easier access and more choices to many of the amenities of city living – like shopping malls, restaurants, movie theaters, sporting events and medical facilities. They were giving up that easy, quick trip to the grocery store or hardware store, and for Stan, it meant moving away from the city where he was born and raised, away from family and friends, and a longer commute to various job sites throughout the Metro for his job as a union crane operator.

But what the Kulbitski’s gave up by moving away from the city, they gained from moving to the lake. They traded the hustle and bustle of life in the city for the peace, quiet and serenity of small town life. They gave up large, crowded shopping malls for quaint Main Street stores, and the opportunity to go to fancy restaurants turned into a chance to experience good old-fashioned, down home cooking. And along the way, the move helped form new friendships that will last a lifetime.

They both agree, it’s been a good tradeoff.

“We come home from work on a Friday night and sit in front of the campfire or go on the boat while everyone else is unpacking cars, mowing lawn, painting decks and all those things we can do during the week,” says Marcia Kulbitski, a second grade teacher in New Richmond, Wisconsin.

Buying a lake home is a big decision for everyone, especially those who already have a mortgage on a primary residence. It can be twice the expense, twice the worries. But selling your home and moving to the lake, like the Kulbitski’s did, is an option to consider, says Jen Hanson, owner of the Re/Max Home Team branch in Perham, Minnesota.

“The lake is very busy on weekends with everyone rushing to get it all done,” says Hanson. “A Tuesday evening is a great time to put your line in without a crowd. When you live at the lake you get a chance to do the little tasks that can eat up the weekend during the week.”

If you’re still tied to a job in the city, there are lakeside communities like Palmer and Clear Lake which enjoy the Briggs Lake Chain, that is located just north of Becker, which would be ideal for buying or building your lake home. “Yes, they are small town communities and most people agree, that is just fine with them, and it’s less then an hour away from Minneapolis,” says Stan Herkenhoff of Edina Realty in Becker. “The commute is manageable, so why not have the best of both worlds.”

Before making a decision to move to the lake as a permanent resident, take into considerations these factors, says Hanson and Kulbitski.

The positives:

• Less expense: Instead of paying for two mortgages, maintenance, taxes, utilities and other general expenses on both properties, you are paying for one.
• Less stress: Easier to balance life at home and at the lake, justifying expenses of both, driving back and forth from both, and what to do with free time.
• Less worry: Living at your lake home eliminates the worry of managing two properties, from lawn care and general maintenance, to the worry of storm damage, vandals or pipes breaking/leaking and not being able to fix the problem immediately.
• Instead of fishing, boating or skiing on crowded lakes during the weekend, you can enjoy the lake whenever you want, without the crowds.
• Living on the lake gives you a chance to meet new people, make new friends, and experience new adventures on and off the lake and the surrounding community.

The negatives:

• You may be farther away from friends, family, activities (including the need to move kids to a new school and/or join new organizations; as well as possibly finding new doctors/health care providers).
• May cause conflict or problems with work-related issues.
• Longer commute means more money spent on gas, car maintenance, and time traveling to and from work. In addition road maintenance/services (plowing) may not be as readily available and cause delay.
• Internet, cable and phone services may be more expensive and/or not as accessible.
• What you gain in peace and quiet, you lose may lose in entertainment options.

In addition, pay attention to local government and be informed about taxes, any pending referendums, new developments, or changes in the city, county and state government that could affect you. Keep in mind taxes vary greatly – just because you are in a rural or smaller community doesn’t always mean they will be cheaper. It’s also a good idea to subscribe or read the local community newspaper to be aware of what’s happening in that community.

It’s a difficult decision, one that takes careful thought, planning and preparation. But one that has its advantages, says Kulbitski.

“When you live at the lake you get to enjoy the quiet times when no one else is around, you get to see the lake without the boat traffic. You can enjoy the wildlife in the summer and winter. From our experience everyone at the lake is happy, friendly and makes for a great community.”