Earlier this summer I wrote about how Derek’s cousin Kim and her husband Jeff had just moved to Lagoon City. I had never heard of it. Well, last weekend we visited them and I can sum it up in one sentence.
I could live there. It’s like being at a cottage all year round.
A quick recap:
Lagoon City (the mailing address is Brechin, ON) is built along man made canals. Some call it the Venice of Canada. It’s really a wonderful place, well planned, and as serene and fun as you want.
Everyone from the multi-million dollar homeowner to the teeny tiny condo dweller gets a waterfront view. Boats run the gamut as well. We saw a massive yacht named Enough Said. There was a guy with a half-dozen fishing poles pedaling his solar-powered/electric one-man water vessel. And there’s everything in between including Barney, with two 400 HP outboard motors.
I’m more of a pedal boat kind of a gal.
Jeff’s boat is perfect for touring around in the canals and riding the waves a bit on Lake Simcoe. He took us all around the entire system and it’s just delightful.
That’s Jeff (our Captain) and Derek’s cousin Mike’s wife Rhonda with me in the back. Kim and Derek were up front and Mike was taking pictures.
You mustn’t create a wake in the canals so speedboats aren’t flying past or making any sort of irritating noise.
Fowl and Other Wildlife
We saw blue herons fishing in the water. We encountered ducks, swans, and geese. Jeff has seen deer in the woods across the canal. And he noticed these baby turtles with mama not pictured, but nearby.
Can you see them? There are three on the right edge of the tree limb and three more to the left of the branch that’s sticking up.
The canals freeze over in winter and clean up nicely for skating. It’s like your own little Rideau Canal in Ottawa. And friends, I have to say, some of the prices of places for sale are much more affordable than I would have thought for being waterfront.
Both of us absolutely understand why people would want to live there. It’s a pretty great spot to retire in. There are some sacrifices to be made. The homes have no basements, for obvious reasons. You need to plan around tourist traffic because it’s smack dab on the gateway to Muskoka. In the condos and townhomes, you live in close proximity to your neighbours. If any of those things bother you, Lagoon City isn’t for you.
I COULD live there, without a doubt. I won’t, for a variety of reasons. But I totally could.
So glad you got to come and enjoy it Lisa!!
My husband drools over “Enough Said” every time we go by! I live quite close to those floaty pedal bike things! It is a nice place to be.
There are many places currently for sale, some have been for sale for years!! They de-list for a while and then re-list again, with slightly lower price. I do think they are overpriced which is why they are not selling.
Maybe I will bump into you one day when you visit! Will be keeping my eyes peeled! LOL
Oh that sounds heavenly. I had never heard of that beautiful spot before either. Lovely!
As REM once sang, “Heaven is yours where I live.” They were talking about Athens, Georgia but it also applies to Lagoon City by the looks of it!
Great write up of Lagoon City! We are enjoying it here and we loved sharing it with you and Derek for the weekend.
The home of Howard & Ingrid Christensen for along time. He put together Broadcast Dialogue from his home there. Beautiful part of Ontario, particularly if you’re a boat person!
I had no idea, Mark. How timely, since Howard passed away so recently. It really is a charming spot.