Whether it’s at a lake, a bay, a river, or a creek, nothing slows down time quite like a cottage or cabin right by the water. If you’ve ever dreamed of owning your own dreamy waterside getaway, consider this your sign that now is the time. From an island cottage in Maine to a nature-lover’s escape in Florida, these five charming homes are all beckoning you to slow down, kick off your shoes, and stay awhile.
New Smyrna Beach, Florida
PRICE: $625,000
YEAR BUILT: 1920
SIZE: 3 BR; 2 BA; 1,200 SQ. FT.
WHY YOU’LL LOVE IT: Enjoy a bit of Old Florida living by watching the birds in the live oaks out front or kayaking along Murray Creek out back. Inside, refinished original heart-pine floors and baseboards nearly 10 inches high contribute to the renovated cottage’s old-house appeal.
AGENT: Candace Cecil; candace.locallivingrg.com
Bowerbank, Maine
PRICE: $1,350,000
YEAR BUILT: 1930
SIZE: 2 BR; 1 BA; 920 SQ. FT.
WHY YOU’LL LOVE IT: Feel all your worries melt away as you walk the long dock to your own private island getaway. Set on a rocky outcrop in a secluded cove of Sebec Lake, this off-grid clapboard cottage also comes with more than 11 acres on the mainland for parking, recreation, and potential development. (The listing also includes a second shoreline home with an additional 2 bedrooms and 2 baths.)
AGENT: Jennifer Sumrall; themainerealestateexperience.com
Sparta, New Jersey
PRICE: $599,000
YEAR BUILT: 1935
SIZE: 3 BR; 3 BA; 2,081 SQ. FT.
WHY YOU’LL LOVE IT: Just look at those cutout shutters! On a hill overlooking Lake Mohawk, this three-story cabin pairs original rustic features—such as wood-paneled walls, exposed ceiling beams, and a soaring stone fireplace—with lots of windows and a new sunroom that flood the home with natural light.
AGENTS: Christine Bond and Dawn Corbo; sussexcountyrealestate.com
Isleboro, Maine
PRICE: $630,000
YEAR BUILT: 1880
SIZE: 3 BR; 2 BA; 1,614 SQ. FT.
WHY YOU’LL LOVE IT: What could be dreamier than a picture-perfect white farmhouse set on two acres in the middle of an island?! Take in views of saltwater farm fields and Penobscot Bay’s Ryder Cove from the front porch, or cozy up by the fireplace in the window-wrapped living room.
AGENT: Lewis Wheelwright; landvest.com
Washington, Connecticut
PRICE: $799,000
YEAR BUILT: 1860
SIZE: 2 BR; 2 BA; 1,220 SQ. FT.
WHY YOU’LL LOVE IT: Tucked along the East Aspetuck River, this petite farmhouse has been fully renovated for an open and airy look, but all the old bones—painted beams, pickled wide-plank floors—were left intact. Bonus: A cute barn out back is ready for entertaining.
AGENT: Melissa Smith; melissasmith.houlihanlawrence.com
During her more than 25 years in magazines and lifestyle editorial, Jennifer Kopf has traveled coast to coast visiting homes, perusing shops and antiques shows, and exploring back roads and small towns for publications such as Midwest Living, Country Home, and Southern Living. As the Executive Editor of Country Living, she produces, writes, and edits stories about home design, antiques and collectibles, entertaining, and all things related to country life. When she’s not working on the latest Country Living stories, you can find her on the porch of her circa-1900 family farmhouse or out and about at auctions, antiques shows, and estate sales hunting for the next vintage treasure to bring home.
