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Comment by freshyill | Hacker News Reader

I know there's got to be a lot more involved with buying/owning an island than just coming up with the money (a boat, for one), but it's fun to think about the fact that you can buy an island in Maine for roughly what a decent house costs around a lot of major cities in the US.

Granted, the really nice islands with really nice houses on them will cost a heck of a lot more, but it's still fun to think about.

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Your comment reminded me of this HN post https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=6395148

I remember that one! I was actually visiting Maine when it was posted, so it certainly got me thinking.

Even if buying an island isn't in the cards, it really is a beautiful place, and worth a visit.

Oh, and poutine and cheap lobster rolls everywhere.

Why? Why does there have to be a lot more? Sure, there is a but of paperwork, and taxes. And of course finding an island. But you don't even need a boat. Now, there may be more involved in using the island, especially if no infrastructure exists.

I know you don't need a boat, but it would certainly help. I wouldn't want to rely on someone else to get me on and off the island, especially in an emergency. Even if you don't own a boat, you still need to keep a dock in working condition. Oh, and if you do have a boat, that's another thing to maintain. And a boat isn't going to get you to the grocery store (unless there's a canal. Or an inlet. Or a fjord).

I keep thinking about things like maintenance. If you need a new roof, you've got to find a roofer willing to load up a boat full of shingles, ladders and a roofing crew. That's going to increase the cost.

And then there's insurance. I imagine that standard homeowners insurance isn't going to cover you quite like it would elsewhere.

I have a friend who lives in a house near a mountain top, in the middle of a forest. There is a road leading to it, but you need a good 4x4 car to get there(no, a BMW X6 or Audi Q7 will not get there without destroying the underbody), and between November-March you can't drive at all due to snow - to get anything up the mountain they actually use a horse-drawn sled(and the horse if nearly drowning in snow anyway).

And you know what? He has electricity,and internet, and fresh water. He managed to convince the utility company to lie down cables all the way to his house, and uses a well for water. He has house insurance. As for roof/maintenance problems - he just brings the workers up in his own car during the summer. He even gets post(in the summer, but the postman is a seasoned hiker) and has an actual address.

Compared to this, I think owning a boat is actually less trouble.

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