St Louis equivalent of the Hamptons? (St. Louis, Ozark: rent, homes, living in)

[orangefuscia]

I was wondering what you guys thought of Carlyle Lake? Its 50 miles east of St Louis in Illinois and its a 26000 acre man-made lake. Is there any culture around it? Is there a big beach scene in St. Louis? It doesn't strike me as the type. Carlyle Lake does have swimming beaches, but the water doesn't have that pristine blue look to it. I wouldn't mind sailing though.

I think it has potential to be a nice destination for St Louis but I've never heard anyone mention it in my short time here. Is there a lot of development boardwalks near it? Lake of the Ozarks seems very touristy by contrast.

It seems to have fishing and sailing and a beach, but I think it would be nice to have a gleaming white cottage there with a beautiful kitchen on the waterfront. Why isn't it more promoted by St. Louis? Its within the metro area albeit metro-east (clinton county) I think it would be nice to have an Hamptons-esque getaway made affordable by virtue of living in the midwest.

http://www.carlylelake.com/photos/Lo...e%20Cabins.jpg

Carlyle Lake Beach

It has 11,000 acres of land, I don't think it would be such a bad idea to develop a "scene" there. It would be a selling point for St Louis.

[orangefuscia]

Site Title

[BoomBoxing]

You're right...it certainly isn't on my radar and it looks like it's worth checking out.

[pdm_ad]

There is just something about the IL lakes that I am not wild about. Maybe because they are shallower and usually less clear than the lakes on the MO side south of the Missouri River? The Ozarks have some of the clearest and cleanest water in the US so I guess we are spoiled.

That said I like the links that you posted and I may have to check that lake out this summer. I just got a new kayak and I can't wait to try it out.

[3240Redo]

I've never been to Carlisle, but Lake Shelbyville (a little north and east) is very nice. The town of Shelbyville at the southern end of the lake is a cute little town with a nice little downtown area. No boardwalks to speak of, though.

[DinsdalePirahna]

I guess you have never been to the Hamptons.

Lake Carlyse (nice as it is/and definately worth checking out) is probably closer to Lake George or one of the Finger lakes in upstate NY (I'm thinking Seneca and Cayuga).

Try your Kayak on the Meramec River

[kaliman91]

Having to use carlyle a few times a year due to the river being high i can tell you its basicly a mud pit. Nothing wrong with it as stated above its just shallow and muddy. And when the wind picks up you are in for quite a ride.

There is really only one beach for swimming and its usually full of hoosiers.

Nothing as far a decent lodging goes except for a few cabins they rent on the water and they are very expensive. Besides that there is a Mcdonalds and a few gas stations etc and thats about it. Its in the middle of nowhere.

Thats said it serves its purpose when there is flooding in Grafton!

[pdm_ad]

Originally Posted by DinsdalePirahna

Try your Kayak on the Meramec River

Will do. Try taking your antidepressants on a regular schedule.

[moorlander]

^You sure do like to stir the pot.

Most of the big money is at Lake of the Ozarks. Nothing on the scale of the Hamptons but multi million dollar homes and boats are not uncommon. It's pretty much the playground for the rich KC and STL crowd as well as the layman.
I think there is some big money out at InnsBrook but I've never been personally.

I'm going to make it a point to check out Lake C this summer.

[stlcitygirl]

^
My parents live in Porta Cima, which IMO is the best golf course in the state. Innsbrook is also nice, as well as Four Seasons.