By Joel Adair
This pristine cottage in Port Sandfield features 700 feet of prime Lake Joe waterfront, and minutes to every kind of amenity an active lifestyle demands. Could you fit it all in one day?
Since the beginning of Covid, the Muskoka market has witnessed a massive influx of new buyers; the market has been so hot that anything associated with the waterfront has been considered a good investment. But what happens when Covid becomes a distant memory? Does the mosquito-infested swamp at the end of a 10-km seasonal road still sound like a good investment?
As these shifts begin, we will all be quickly reminded of the fundamentals in real estate. You know the old saying – the cliché that everyone knows, but some have forgotten about during the Covid era: Location, Location, Location.
I spent an entire day at a cottage for sale in Port Sandfield on Lake Joseph. I explored the area and all its unique amenities. Here’s a taste of what life looks like, living in perfectly located Port Sandfield.
My day starts by grabbing my gym bag and heading down to the dock. I’m going to take the paddleboard and go over to the Lake Joe club for a workout. The convenience of this property is that it’s located right across the lake from the Club, and only takes a few minutes to paddle over. When I leave early, I can take a direct route straight from the cottage dock to the dock at the Water’s Edge Wine Bar and Grill, where it’s a short jaunt to the Shock Fitness gym!
This outdoor gym is for those who love experiencing fitness in the beauty of cottage country. The gym features great personal trainers, as well as massage therapy; the staff is always super supportive and the whole place has a friendly vibe. And there’s great scenery, with multiple views of Lake Joe to enjoy while you are working out. As a world-class destination, the Lake Joseph Club also has all of the other essential activities like tennis, golf, kids’ programs, and dining at the Water’s Edge Wine Bar and club house. All of this is only a paddleboard away.
After a great workout and a brief paddle back to the dock, I cool off and freshen up with a quick swim in the clearest water in all of Muskoka, followed up by spending a little time soaking up the sun on the large dock. This property has the most amazing private beach, with 700 feet of beautiful hard-packed sand and a dock that would rival a small resort.
It’s only noon and I’ve already been paddleboarding, had an amazing workout and a leisurely swim on a gorgeous private beach; now it’s time to refuel with some local eats. Although this cottage has a charming eat-in kitchen for cooking all of your favourite meals, I decide to go for a short walk, just over the scenic bridge, and hit up Silverstream Farms for one of their famous summertime sandwiches.
Visiting Silverstream Farms is a summertime tradition in this area. Whether you are just boating through Port Sandfield and want to grab one of their famous deli sandwiches, homemade blueberry donuts or you already cottage in the area, it’s nice to be able to take advantage of this super convenient micro grocery store. Grab ice cream with the kids, fresh produce or get fresh goodies like the Muskoka blueberry donut straight from the oven (mentioned again, because it’s that good)!
After lunch, I walk around to check out some of the local boutiques in the area. Port Sandfield is such a small village that if you’re driving through and happen to blink, you might miss these little gems. I personally recommend visiting the retail shop in the Port Sandfield marina. They have some beautiful boats on display right inside the retail shop, and you can even see fish in the crystal-clear waters of Lake Joe, as you explore their great inventory and pick up some summer essentials.
With entertaining a big part of cottage life, it’s rare to find a property that offers privacy, great views, space to entertain, and that is still close to town if you forget something. With guests arriving for the weekend, I head into Port Carling’s LCBO, an enjoyable five-minute drive, along a smooth asphalt road to stock up. You just can’t beat the convenience. There’s even an EMS (paramedic) station and a fire station just minutes away from this incredible Peninsula Road address. This is definitely not one of those inconvenient cottage locations where you’re afraid to forget something. You can make it to the hardware store, clothing shops, the pharmacy, post office and great restaurants, all within a very short drive to the trendy and growing town of Port Carling.
By the time I get back from Port Carling, the weather conditions are pretty much perfect for a little tour on the Seadoo. I decide to get out on the water and head north on Lake Joe to do a little sightseeing. Less than ten minutes later, I find myself surrounded by a cluster of islands that look so pristine and perfect that I decide to stop and put on my diving mask to take a look at what lies beneath these crystal-clear waters. Taking a different route home, I cut through the Joe River into Lake Rosseau, before landing right back at the dock on Lake Joe. It’s amazing to have two premier lakes to choose from, only seconds after leaving the dock.
Now back at the cottage with enough time before my guests arrive (mostly by boat), I warm up in the hot tub, which is perched brilliantly at the edge of Lake Joe, and enjoy the gorgeous view. I spend the rest of the evening chilling on the dock with friends and family and watch the sunset before heading up to the main cottage for a proper summer barbecue feast.
That’s what I consider a day well spent cottaging in Muskoka. Combine this with 700 feet of beautiful beach, sandy shoreline and big boat access via the three-slip dock, the local conveniences of Port Sandfield and Port Carling, and you’ve got the perfect property to experience the best of what Muskoka offers.
