Moving to Lake Hartwell on Houseboat (Greenville, Anderson: estate, for sale, travel)

[dd1120]

Hi everyone,
We are from Long Island, New York and want to move to Lake Hartwell and live on a houseboat full time. Please let me know if you or any one you know has any information regarding this. What is it like living there in the winter, etc. My husband and I will both be working, although my husband works from home, he has a web design and development company. If you know of any better lakes, we are open to suggestions. We are going to the Houseboat Expo next weekend in Louisville in hopes of getting better educated on this and speaking to people who live this life and look for houseboats as well. Any info is greatly appreciated.

[baylovers]

Hey, good for you guys. I am very jealous, my wife would never go for that! I was lucky that I was able to talk het into moving from NY at all. Sorry, I can't help on the Lake Hartwell situaution though, never been there.

Good luck and congrats.

[tony123]

Have you visited Hartwell? Do you have experience living on a houseboat?

Why not try renting a houseboat on Hartwell for a month and get a feel for it?

Of the Upstate Lakes, Hartwell is the least scenic and most populated. During the warmer months you'll be hardpressed to find a spot that you aren't being nagged by personal watercraft.

I don't know if you're allowed to live on Keowee, but it is an adjoining lake to Hartwell that is much prettier and less crowded (more respectful crowd too).

Not trying to rain on the idea, just think it's worthy of serious inquiry before making the commitment.

[anonymous]

http://www.thestate.com/mld/thestate/16522561.htm

Just FYI, they are considering new legistlation involving houseboats.

[joee]

Living on a houseboat would be interesting, especially if you could use all the inland waterways to travel with it, but being stuck on just 1 lake it wouldn't take long & it would get old, i think after the new wore off then you would want an actual house.

what would worry me with one would be lightning also.

[dd1120]

Thanks all for your replies. After serious consideration and visits to Hartwell, we have decided to live on land and just get a boat for pleasure. We love Anderson and the surrounding areas. We just need to narrow down which area we like the best. My husband works from home but I will probably be commuting to Greenville. Anyy suggestions on which areas are better would be helpful. We are going back down around Easter. Put our house up here on the market and as soon as we sell, we will be down.

[Brad Pierce]

We currently live on Lake Hartwell. Between the Memorial Day and Labor Day the lake is a little busier than the rest of the year, but it is by no means "nagged by personal watercraft." And the marinas are of course wake-free zones. During the week the lake is very quiet, and the increased traffic on the weekends is not enough to possibly be a deal breaker. We were just out on the water yesterday and spotted a total of two PWCs who kept their distance.

There are three days where the traffic is really high. Predictably they are Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Labor day. This is what you would expect on most lakes.

I agree that Keowee is a very scenic lake, but also smaller and remains cold for most of the year. Both lakes are scenic and wonderful to visit.

Waking up and seeing the mist wafting across the smooth lake on spring mornings, the friendly and professional people we have met, and we can find anything from rafting on Tugaloo to seeing great live productions at the Peace Center in nearby Greenville.

I know you chose not to live on the lake, but I wanted to toss my 2 cents in for anyone else tripping across this thread in the future (like I did).

Since you are moving to the area but staying on land the Powdersville area is a great spot between Anderson and Greenville.

[FRANK RYAN]

I have lived on a houseboat at Lake Lanier, GA for several years. It is beautiful and relaxing. I get up every morning to the peaceful waters and drive in to work. Can't wait for evening to get home to the boat. Presently I have a 2008 85' x 18' houseboat on Lanier that I am selling because I am moving. It is a 5 BR 2 BA with a glass enclosed front deck area. Perfect live aboard. I will move it anywhere within a 250 mi radius for buyer. Asking $399 but of course this is negotiable.

[capt MTM]

I have a houseboat on Hartwell , lake life is wonderfull. I see you have decided to stay on land . I have several homes for sale ,I am a builder here
in the upstate . Let me know if I can help.