Washington's Lake Whatcom is a largely undiscovered gem for Canadians, with a myriad of outdoor activities, a peaceful atmosphere and the opportunity for a ton of family bonding. Now you can purchase your own family getaway at Wildwood Lakefront Cottages right on the shores at South Bay.
"It feels like you're in the middle of a cedar forest," says sales director Wayne Lyle.
The natural setting is one of the highlights of Wildwood, with its two streams, huge trees and pristine lake and shoreline. Lake Whatcom holds the drinking water for the city of Bellingham, so there are numerous restrictions in place in order to ensure it stays pristine.
The lake is over 12 miles long, with Wildwood and its 11 acres located at the rural and quiet south end. Just 45 minutes from the Canada-U.S. border, Canadians have already been flocking there to purchase their little piece of rural paradise.
"It's a real family experience," Lyle says. "They're buying for the legacy, for the memories. Our buyers are strictly families and have either kids or grandkids."
The developers of the site are a group of Canadian families who now own cottages on the lake themselves.
"It gives it a personal feel," Lyle says, adding that the vast majority of the buyers so far are Canadian. One of the big draws for Canadians is that the property is gated and private, has a resident on-site manager and your landscaping is all looked after.
Wildwood started life in the 1950s as a campground, and that natural flavour still survives today as an outdoor experience with all the comforts of home.
"There's a neat history to it," Lyle says. "The historical factor is quite cool. I've met many people who learned to water-ski here 40 years ago."
Whether you want to go fishing, take out the canoe or go for an evening swim, you'll find a ton of outdoor activities available on-site. The private marina holds 34 private boat slips (available for $30,000), 15 mooring buoys (at a cost of $7,500) and a number of guest slips.
You'll also find a clubhouse, lakeside pool and hot tub, tennis court, recreation centre, playground, community herb garden and a winding walking trail.
The cottages themselves are made for cozy family times, with five different floorplans to choose from and three natural colour schemes. The main floor features the living areas, sunny window seats, decked-out kitchens and one bedroom or one-bedroom plus den configurations.
With a sleeping loft above, "Kids love the sleeping lofts; the ceilings are five feet in height," Lyle says. "They think it's built just for them!"
The features of the cottages are also a hit for buyers.
"These are upscale cozy cottages," Lyle says. "They have hardwood flooring, quartz countertops, stainless-steel appliances and stone fireplaces."
Some of the cottages have rooftop decks that are perfect for star-gazing.
"The stars here are just amazing!" Lyle says. "Just imagine sleeping on the roof deck!"
Each home includes a covered outdoor deck to give you that indoor-outdoor life that everyone loves in the summer, many with an outdoor fireplace.
You'll also find an outdoor wood burning fire pit with every cottage (perfect for making s'mores), and a gas fireplace inside with a natural stone facing to contribute to the feeling of being part of the outdoors.
If you'd like something a bit different from the other cottages, you can purchase a lot at Wildwood and have your own cottage built instead of choosing from one of the floorplans.
"These cottages are great to hang out in all year round," Lyle says. "You can come down here for the summer, for a week or just for a night."
Wildwood's proximity to Seattle makes it a convenient spot to stop if you're planning to fly out of the Seattle airport as well. You can also pay a visit to Mount Baker for skiing, just an hour and a half away.
"This a great base camp for families," Lyle says. "You take a deep breath when you look out at the water. And with the price of real estate in B.C., this lakefront property is a bargain!"
Lots at Wildwood start at $174,900, and fully finishes cottages plus lots start at $324,900. For more information, visit www.wildwoodlakefrontcottages.com or call 1-855-588-7788. The site is open Wednesday to Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. or by appointment any time except Sundays.