I'm a city slicker. When I was young, my family would rent a cottage for a week.
Fishing was the highlight for me. Just getting out there on a lake and passing the time.
I still try to rent a cottage with my family, although ideally, I'd like to have one that is tight enough to keep bugs out, has AC, and WIFI.
Not exactly roughing it, but I like the change of scenery once in a while.
I would never own a cottage though. That's just another house that I'd need to maintain and clean.
Yeah see I don’t know if I would be so keen on my trailer if it didn’t have every comfort of home either. My first trailer was older/vintage so had to bring in all the comforts but was a double wide so very roomy. The AC, the wifi of course I brought in. New huge TV, new couch, etc. I redid the roof for $1800. Labor included. Like you can’t beat that! But that trailer was a fair bit of work to keep it going. Every year was something new with last year being the water heater. Which got switched out for a new one for $1000 labour included. Again, can’t beat that compared to cottage/house prices.
Although in my part of the woods - It is not that buggy up here - I am so lucky that way. Mostly just mosquitoes, and spiders.
Now my new trailer is all bougie with herringbone floors, shaker cabinets, fireplace and power everything. Nice open concept floor plan, shower big enough for 2 with a little seat. Think more like a park model home than a “travel trailer.” For example, none of that silly banquet seating that folds to a bed - which would never be used by me anyway. Instead a normal table and chairs.
Less maintenance and cost of a cottage/second home but all the comforts of a regular real home. I think this was the best retirement decision I have made. A second home for 1/10 of the price, where I can walk 100 feet to my boat and be fishing in 5 mins.
This trailer as a power awning and just sitting outside under it during the thunderstorm Friday night, with a coffee and joint - can’t beat that. Sure you can see that in city but you don’t smell the grass, see the colours of the sky or hear the rain hitting the leaves in the trees. There is a level of relaxation/security that I just personally can’t get in my home/city. I admit part of that is a safety thing for me as well. At home I have to be on guard from my stalking ex, on tour I have to be on guard of potential harmful clients so at the trailer - I am free from being on guard and THAT is what hits me the most here I think. It takes away a mental load that I don’t realize that I carry when not here. But the balance in my schedule that has me here most of the time - makes all of life feel less stressful.
Plus having a morning zoom meeting sitting down at the water and having to tell a loon to shut up because he is interrupting is not too shabby either. LOL.
