Cabin or Cottage? WI people I need your input

[Randy Price]

My Wife and I are now empty nesters and we decided to take the plunge that many of us FIB'S do and buy a summer/vacation home in central WI (Adams County).  We couldn't afford a lake front home so we bought what we could.  A simple 2 BR 1 bath on an acre of mixed oak, pine and walnut trees.  Now my main question for any of you (hoping to hear from some Wisconsinite's) is this home a Cabin or Cottage?  I keep calling it a Cabin but my Wife says it a Cottage.  What would you call it?  It does have all the comforts of a year round home (central air, gas forced heat (LP) shower/toilet so we can visit there year round as long as the snow doesn't get too deep.  I look forward to ALL of your responses!

[Choporoz]

I think of cottage for FIBs, and others more of the transient sort...rentals and such.  Summer home owned by someone from Milwaukee might more likely be a cabin.  Sounds like you are going to straddle both worlds....call it what you want...  if you spend more than two weeks at a time there, 'cabin' works for me.  

  Congrats! ... and btw,  F the Bears

[Randy Price]

4 minutes ago, Choporoz said:

I think of cottage for FIBs, and others more of the transient sort...rentals and such.  Summer home owned by someone from Milwaukee might more likely be a cabin.  Sounds like you are going to straddle both worlds....call it what you want...  if you spend more than two weeks at a time there, 'cabin' works for me.  

  Congrats! ... and btw,  F the Bears

@Choporoz,I'm a HUGE GB fan.

[gim]

Nice purchase.  I'm not in WI, but I'm in MN and its very similar country.  I'd call it a cabin.  No one I know of with secondary or seasonal homesteads calls them a cottage.

[Randy Price]

5 minutes ago, gimruis said:

Nice purchase.  I'm not in WI, but I'm in MN and its very similar country.  I'd call it a cabin.  No one I know of with secondary or seasonal homesteads calls them a cottage.

@gimruis, I agree with you.  My Wife believes that since it isn't a "log style" home and that it doesn't site on a lake that it isn't a cabin.  I know it's a silly thing but I was wondering what others would call it or what they call their own.  Just a fun topic.....hopefully.

[J._Bricker]

I don’t know @Randy Price, other than a little slice of heaven that’s hopefully only about 10 minutes  to get the boat’s skeg wet. Congratulations to you and Mrs Price on your weekend retreat!

[Choporoz]

Again, congrats.   Been many years since I was in that area.  I always disliked the Dells, but I did do some bird hunting up that way.  Partridge and wood duck, mostly.

      If you're out away from the silliness, it can be real nice.

[Randy Price]

1 minute ago, J._Bricker said:

I don’t know @Randy Price, other than a little slice of heaven that’s hopefully only about 10 minutes  to get the boat’s skeg wet. Congratulations to you and Mrs Price on your weekend retreat!

@J._Bricker, thank you for the kind comments.  We are literally walking distance to Arkdale Lake and a 15 minute drive to Castlerock and Petenwell Lakes (WI's # 2 and #4 largest lakes).

1 minute ago, Choporoz said:

Again, congrats.   Been many years since I was in that area.  I always disliked the Dells, but I did do some bird hunting up that way.  Partridge and wood duck, mostly.

      If you're out away from the silliness, it can be real nice.

@Choporoz, we are about 30 minutes N of the Dells so if we want the "silliness" of the Dells we can visit or if we have guests that want to go to the Dells we're close enough.  We wanted something not too far from our home so that we would use it.  I live in N. IL and the Cabin is only 2 hrs. and 20 minutes doorstep to doorstep. 

[Choporoz]

Perfect.  Consecutive weekends, no problem.  We bought over 4 hours away and unless it's a long weekend,  that distance gets to be burdensome.

[Randy Price]

2 minutes ago, Choporoz said:

Perfect.  Consecutive weekends, no problem.  We bought over 4 hours away and unless it's a long weekend,  that distance gets to be burdensome.

@Choporoz, understood.  So many of my friends have places in the N. Woods (St. Germain, Minocqua, Eagle River, etc...) and you're right it is just too far for a weekend.  I love the Northwoods ambiance but my Wife and I are still working and we were concerned the place wouldn't get used enough to justify the $$.

[WRB]

Canada it ‘s called a cottage, States it’s a summer home.

Tom

[TOXIC]

We’ve been going to Wisconsin (Waupaca/King chain of lakes) for 26 years.  Up there all of the “original” structures were called, and most still are, cottages.  For those who have knocked down and rebuilt they are still cottages unless lived in year round.  Then they are homes.  Never heard one called a cabin.  Just for giggles I googled the difference between cottage and cabin and got this…

 

For the most part, cabins tend to have a more rustic, unfinished look and are cruder in appearance than most cottages.  

[Functional]

Not from WI but unless its got wood outside for me its a cottage. The fact it isnt on water doesnt matter much. 

 

Either way that looks like a really nice place for the 2 of you! Good luck with it and I hope you enjoy it. 

[gim]

1 hour ago, Choporoz said:

We bought over 4 hours away and unless it's a long weekend,  that distance gets to be burdensome.

 

I've heard that before too with seasonal cabins/homes/cottages.  2 hours one way is about the most I'd consider.

 

I probably won't own a cabin or second homestead anytime soon though.  Maintaining two houses/properties sounds like a nightmare.  I barely have enough time for one.  But I wouldn't mind moving further north into cabin country when I retire.

[Dwight Hottle]

I don’t understand why you asked this question. It’s obviously a cottage as your wife has told you. And we both know woman are never wrong. All kidding aside I would call it a cottage because cabins are usually more rudimentary in nature. And the word cottage sounds more quaint than small house or bungalow. It’s definitely got curb appeal. Enjoy your time there. 

[J._Bricker]

2 hours ago, Randy Price said:

@J._Bricker, thank you for the kind comments.  We are literally walking distance to Arkdale Lake and a 15 minute drive to Castlerock and Petenwell Lakes (WI's # 2 and #4 largest lakes).

Absolutely. When Mrs B and I were at that point in our lives we went in a similar but different direction. And then we ended up pivoting again when she determined resort camping was the best option outta the three for us. Bottom line as to which one is best I’d say we could all agree is, “happy wife, happy life”.

Again, congrats to both of you and great fishing!

[Randy Price]

Thanks to everyone for their replies.  Cottage it is!

[DaubsNU1]

You are a brave man @Randy Price! Now you have two homes. I would call it a "cabin." Never heard someone in Nebraska use the word "cottage."

 

Growing up my family shared a "cabin" with grandparents, aunt/uncle and their two kids. We called it a cabin...it was right on the Platte River. Grandpa, Dad and Uncle built it (Dad was a carpenter). Community bedroom in the back with four double beds and a sofa sleeper. The main room was kitchen and a very small family room with a sofa sleeper. Built in the 1960's, did not have windows...instead had shutters and was totally screened in. There was electricity, but no running water or in-door plumbing at first. In the 1970's they got running water and a toilet and shower.

 

Land was leased from farmer...were probably 40-50 other cabins and trailers in this "park." Rules prohibited year round living...so we shut her down every fall (and chased ducks on the river), then opened up in Spring, and planted a garden. It was a big deal when we got a telephone in the Cabin...my Grandpa worked for Ma Bell...and made that happen. 

 

My parents sold their share when me, sister and brother got in to college. My Dad was tired of making the 40 minute trip to the Cabin...said there was always something breaking down, or grass to mow, or garden to tend. Too much of a hassle. 

 

My sister LOVED the Cabin, playing with cousins, getting away from the city, hanging with family. Loved it so much the she talked her husband in to getting some land on a sandpit west of Omaha...and they built their own "cabin." Frankly it's newer and nicer than my house(!)  : ) 

 

Good luck with your cabin / cottage! Enjoy!!!

[Randy Price]

26 minutes ago, J._Bricker said:

Absolutely. When Mrs B and I were at that point in our lives we went in a similar but different direction. And then we ended up pivoting again when she determined resort camping was the best option outta the three for us. Bottom line as to which one is best I’d say we could all agree is, “happy wife, happy life”.

Again, congrats to both of you and great fishing!

@J._Bricker, we discussed purchasing a camper too but thought in the long run we would enjoy the home and land.  Nice looking camper!

2 minutes ago, DaubsNU1 said:

You are a brave man @Randy Price! Now you have two homes. I would call it a "cabin." Never heard someone in Nebraska use the word "cottage."

 

Growing up my family shared a "cabin" with grandparents, aunt/uncle and their two kids. We called it a cabin...it was right on the Platte River. Grandpa, Dad and Uncle built it (Dad was a carpenter). Community bedroom in the back with four double beds and a sofa sleeper. The main room was kitchen and a very small family room with a sofa sleeper. Built in the 1960's, did not have windows...instead had shutters and was totally screened in. There was electricity, but no running water or in-door plumbing at first. In the 1970's they got running water and a toilet and shower.

 

Land was leased from farmer...were probably 40-50 other cabins and trailers in this "park." Rules prohibited year round living...so we shut her down every fall (and chased ducks on the river), then opened up in Spring, and planted a garden. It was a big deal when we got a telephone in the Cabin...my Grandpa worked for Ma Bell...and made that happen. 

 

My parents sold their share when me, sister and brother got in to college. My Dad was tired of making the 40 minute trip to the Cabin...said there was always something breaking down, or grass to mow, or garden to tend. Too much of a hassle. 

 

My sister LOVED the Cabin, playing with cousins, getting away from the city, hanging with family. Loved it so much the she talked her husband in to getting some land on a sandpit west of Omaha...and they built their own "cabin." Frankly it's newer and nicer than my house(!)  : ) 

 

Good luck with your cabin / cottage! Enjoy!!!

@DaubsNU1, We had a similar discussion about "what if it becomes too much for us to take care of" especially as we age.  We decided we would sell if or leave it to the kids if they wanted it.

[DaubsNU1]

6 minutes ago, Randy Price said:

@DaubsNU1, We had a similar discussion about "what if it becomes too much for us to take care of" especially as we age.  We decided we would sell if or leave it to the kids if they wanted it.

 

@Randy Price smart move! Land values are always going up. 

 

[padlin]

To me (growing up with salt water) a cottage is on or very near water, a cabin is in the trees. I have noticed that Mainers call lake cottages cabins, so it’s whatever you want to call it.

[Rockhopper]

When I hear cottage I think Europe.  Its definitely not a cabin either.  Cabin's do not have amenities.

 

Walking distance to the lake?  It's your lake house.

[J Francho]

A cottage is on the water and a cabin is in the woods. That said, your wife is right. Go with that and you'll never fail. 

[TOXIC]

Some call it a grinder, others call it a sub.

Some call it a bubbler, others call it a water fountain.  😂😉

[J Francho]

This will help clarify things:

 

https://www.instagram.com/reel/C9nSfRygHca/?igsh=MWd5M3dzZ3IyMWdieQ==