Update on Toledo Bend: January 09 (Many, Converse: insurance, house, camps)

[Kurt]

Spent Christmas and New Years at the lake on the Louisiana side, Sabine Parish. Rented the usual cabin right on the lake with fantastic view. Went across Pendleton Bridge everyday to Texas to have breakfast at Calfee's Marina. You get eggs, grits, toast and coffee for $4! All the coffee you want. Add another dollar for some sausage or bacon. Can you beat those prices? Lots of moderate income retired folks there just talking and very laid back. Here is the typical day at T-Bend for most people in that bracket. Get up and have breakfast at 9:00. Hit the lake for some fishin or just cruising around a bit. By early afternoon you might want to go to Toledo Town, Hemphill, or Many for some shopping errands or medical.

You always meet people you know at the stores or the bank or whatever. Back home and putter around the dock or fish house or yard or leisurely walk amongst the pines. Late afternoon some friends over for beverages. Sit on the porch and watch the sunset and get ready for the next day. Of course, there are social clubs, church, et. al. A very simple life and not for those in the fast lane. I don't hunt, but there is plenty of that, too. Went up to Converse SRA recreation area and had the place to myself. A fantastic day with blue sky, temperature around 65-70, and a nice gentle breeze off the lake. Big pines and lapping water. A good place for a picnic.

Of course, I am still working in Florida so am not enjoying the lifestyle. But I have gotten to know lots of people--Farm Bureau Agent in Many talked to me about an excellent medical insurance plan for those too young for Medicare and not on employee health plan. I ended up at his home and he showed me the sights at his end of the big lake.

Can you afford it? You bet! This is the least expensive and most beautiful location undiscovered for me. Two bedroom house off the lake but nearby with an acre of land--you can get it for under 100K. You can get something on the lake for a bit over that--it will be modest but nice and clean. Lots of double-wide trailers made into places with porches and outbuildings--very reasonable. Taxes are very low.

This is for the average Joe and Jane. Not a resort area per se--but there are pockets of affluence and 2 nice golf courses.

Much of the lake has submerged timber with boat lanes cut through it--so it is not a high-powered wave runner, ski-boat area. It is a lake for bass boats, canoes, kayaks--lots of wildlife to observe. I have never seen a gator. The main lake has too much active water or wind for them. But they are there in the back bayous. There are areas where you can do water sports--especially on the south end of the lake. This is the largest reservoir in the entire South so you have lots of room. Build a boathouse at the water's edge and put in a dock or pier. No setback regulations on that.

Yes, it gets hot in Summer. But the lake is so big and breezes are always blowing up on it to cool things down a bit. Come and see for yourself! Oh, and it is far enough inland not to get the brunt of the hurricanes. You will get some wind but it shouldn't knock your house over like in Florida. And the big storms don't make it in here that often. People from Houston and South Louisiana have hurricane retreats or fish camps here.

[Rosinante]

Agreed on the beauty. Your opinions are from the LA side only, correct.

[Rainbow Island]

Originally Posted by Kurt

Spent Christmas and New Years at the lake on the Louisiana side, Sabine Parish. Rented the usual cabin right on the lake with fantastic view. Went across Pendleton Bridge everyday to Texas to have breakfast at Calfee's Marina. You get eggs, grits, toast and coffee for $4! All the coffee you want. Add another dollar for some sausage or bacon. Can you beat those prices? Lots of moderate income retired folks there just talking and very laid back. Here is the typical day at T-Bend for most people in that bracket. Get up and have breakfast at 9:00. Hit the lake for some fishin or just cruising around a bit. By early afternoon you might want to go to Toledo Town, Hemphill, or Many for some shopping errands or medical.

You always meet people you know at the stores or the bank or whatever. Back home and putter around the dock or fish house or yard or leisurely walk amongst the pines. Late afternoon some friends over for beverages. Sit on the porch and watch the sunset and get ready for the next day. Of course, there are social clubs, church, et. al. A very simple life and not for those in the fast lane. I don't hunt, but there is plenty of that, too. Went up to Converse SRA recreation area and had the place to myself. A fantastic day with blue sky, temperature around 65-70, and a nice gentle breeze off the lake. Big pines and lapping water. A good place for a picnic.

Of course, I am still working in Florida so am not enjoying the lifestyle. But I have gotten to know lots of people--Farm Bureau Agent in Many talked to me about an excellent medical insurance plan for those too young for Medicare and not on employee health plan. I ended up at his home and he showed me the sights at his end of the big lake.

Can you afford it? You bet! This is the least expensive and most beautiful location undiscovered for me. Two bedroom house off the lake but nearby with an acre of land--you can get it for under 100K. You can get something on the lake for a bit over that--it will be modest but nice and clean. Lots of double-wide trailers made into places with porches and outbuildings--very reasonable. Taxes are very low.

This is for the average Joe and Jane. Not a resort area per se--but there are pockets of affluence and 2 nice golf courses.

Much of the lake has submerged timber with boat lanes cut through it--so it is not a high-powered wave runner, ski-boat area. It is a lake for bass boats, canoes, kayaks--lots of wildlife to observe. I have never seen a gator. The main lake has too much active water or wind for them. But they are there in the back bayous. There are areas where you can do water sports--especially on the south end of the lake. This is the largest reservoir in the entire South so you have lots of room. Build a boathouse at the water's edge and put in a dock or pier. No setback regulations on that.

Yes, it gets hot in Summer. But the lake is so big and breezes are always blowing up on it to cool things down a bit. Come and see for yourself! Oh, and it is far enough inland not to get the brunt of the hurricanes. You will get some wind but it shouldn't knock your house over like in Florida. And the big storms don't make it in here that often. People from Houston and South Louisiana have hurricane retreats or fish camps here.

We use to go to Shelbyville, Texas, which is close to the lake to visit some of my wife's family. I agree, very nice and laid back place with very good fishing.