Moving (retiring) to Ky

Will be moving to KY for retirement because that's where Momma is from (Franklin area). Is there a lake worth settling down on? Our primary house will be in the woods somewhere but I will have a cabin on the (a) lake. I have visited Barren river lake, Barkley / KY lakes, Nolin River lake and Lake Beshear. Is there one that is better than the other? or maybe even one I maybe missing will be flying in for than thanksgiving and want to make a move on the property then The intent is to have the fishing cabin with a decent dock and build a habitat around and under the dock. Just looking for local guidance.


Thank you all

You ever check out Dale Hollow or Lake Cumberland? Those are some pretty ones as well.

What it really boils down to is your budget and what your idea of a "cabin" is.

Usually the more remote the area and farther from civilization/jobs, the cheaper the price. Some of the places on the south end of KY Lake down around the Hamlin area kind of fall into this category, as well as the south end of Barkley Lake down around Linton. You kind of pay a premium for a spot on the northern end of these lakes simply due to the proximity of I-24 and I-69 and all the associated conveniences of gas station, hotels, restaurants, grocery stores, etc.

I didn't look at Dale Hollow but I will I think we looked at Lake Cumberland and it was nice but will circle back on those.

The "cabin" will be dependent if building or prebuilt have a150K budget for the land and the dwelling. I am most concerned with the location and the slope down to the water, everythingelse I can make it how I want it. We were not really a fan of northern KY lakebut down around Cadiz was nice.

I appreciate your suggestions going on Zillow aswe speak.

Srminosky, I think Barkley and KY lake are great. Have no idea of costs for a lot/cabin on these lakes, but it probably will be more that your budget especially if you want a nice floating dock (Probably $10-25k for an aluminum covered dock). You also need to verify some of the other lakes to make sure you can own down to the water. Don't think you can have a private dock on Cumberland, Taylorsville, Green, and some other lakes in KY. But, again, if I had the money, I'd have a spot on either Barkley or KY lake.

Perchjerker, the land off of the main lakes on the feeder creeks isn’t to bad. Can be had for about 50-70. The dock isn’t included with the 150, that will be an eventual add on after the main farm house is built. I know a lot of places have to have COE approval and that’s a big consideration. I appreciate your insight.

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Originally Posted by srminosky

The "cabin" will be dependent if building or prebuilt have a150K budget for the land and the dwelling. I am most concerned with the location and the slope down to the water, everythingelse I can make it how I want it. We were not really a fan of northern KY lakebut down around Cadiz was nice.

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150k will be tough for on the water with a dock, and especially for a mowable slope to the water.....you might find land only with a shared dock for that price

Best of luck in your search!

Also keep in mind that it can be a bit more difficult to get a dock permit on Barkley Lake than KY Lake. An already permitted dock on Barkley adds a good bit of value to the property.

Barkley Lake shoreline is managed by the Corps of Engineers, whereas KY shoreline is managed by the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA). Both have their own set of rules for waterfront property.

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Originally Posted by artcarney_agr

Also keep in mind that it can be a bit more difficult to get a dock permit on Barkley Lake than KY Lake. An already permitted dock on Barkley adds a good bit of value to the property.

Barkley Lake shoreline is managed by the Corps of Engineers, whereas KY shoreline is managed by the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA). Both have their own set of rules for waterfront property.

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That is good to know. The dock can be an afterthought and I can get the land manageable by doing the leg work myself, no need to be move in ready and not looking for neighborhood more dirt road cabin in the woods no grass kinda thing. Nolan lake is nice just a lot of cliffs. The input really does help set expectations so I appreciate it.

I live in Franklin. Barren is the closest lake to Franklin but there aren’t many properties on this lake that slope down to the lake. A lot have steps down steep ground to the docks. Barren also has a major draw down for winter pool of 27 feet so there is a lot of dry land during that part of the year, unless it is like the past couple of years with it being above summer pool for most of the winter. Nolin is northeast of Bowling Green and is also a nice lake. I have fished it several times but don’t know a lot about it. I don’t think you’d go wrong with any of the lakes mentioned by anyone on this thread


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Rough river may also scratch your itch not as big as ky or Barkley but has lakefront property As described

Thanks, for the insight. Was concerned about the winter pool a little on barren.

Have only virtually looked at property there, might take a trip. There is a lot of property up that way. Any idea on the fishing?

I too have heard of this Franklin area.

I am a little less than two hours to Donelson or Devil's Elbow on Barkley. 45 to Barren and 45 to Old Hickory in Tenn. About 1.25 hours to Nolin and 2.5 the Green River Lake and the same to the tailwaters of Lake Cumberland.

I am not sure how the KY state income tax works with retirement income but something to investigate anyway I would think.

If I had to choose a lake to live on I would choose KY, Barkley or Lake Malone. KY and Barkley because the water doesn't fluctuate as far up and down as other COE lakes (Barren, Nolin and Rough as examples) and I duck hunt. Lake Malone because it doesn't fluctuate much at all and is a nice fishing lake and is pretty as all get out though it is much smaller than anything else mentioned as of yet.

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Originally Posted by smashdn

I too have heard of this Franklin area.

I am a little less than two hours to Donelson or Devil's Elbow on Barkley. 45 to Barren and 45 to Old Hickory in Tenn. About 1.25 hours to Nolin and 2.5 the Green River Lake and the same to the tailwaters of Lake Cumberland.

I am not sure how the KY state income tax works with retirement income but something to investigate anyway I would think.

If I had to choose a lake to live on I would choose KY, Barkley or Lake Malone. KY and Barkley because the water doesn't fluctuate as far up and down as other COE lakes (Barren, Nolin and Rough as examples) and I duck hunt. Lake Malone because it doesn't fluctuate much at all and is a nice fishing lake and is pretty as all get out though it is much smaller than anything else mentioned as of yet.

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It’s a good little town, good people for the most, and a drive in theater. I will look into lake Malone you make some really good points. I appreciate the insight more than you know.

The lake having a steady level is big. I live on Lake Cumberland. It is above the tree line or summer pool now! The unfishable days in the last six months is disappointing. Lots of natives have to go to Green etc. to get a decent day in.

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Originally Posted by fair weather

The lake having a steady level is big. I live on Lake Cumberland. It is above the tree line or summer pool now! The unfishable days in the last six months is disappointing. Lots of natives have to go to Green etc. to get a decent day in.

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yeah I'm not ok with loosing fishing days. I will look into green also. thank you

Regarding losing fishing days, I'd say Barren, Rough and Nolin would be up there due to water fluctuations and color, and add in Barkley due to chocolate milk water as well. The good thing about Barkley is that KY is not far away and if you stay over on the LBL side bays the water stays pretty darn clean even when it isn't. I'm sure it happens but I can't recall KY being muddy.

If you are looking for lake property on KY or Barkley pm me. I am too but not very aggressively. A friend of mine is a real estate agent that specializes in lake properties over there and he set up something for me that will send me emails when he has a listing that meets the criteria I am looking for. I then can go into the listing on the program and rate it as a like, maybe or reject it. Wife and I have been looking for rental property type stuff around the lake.

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Originally Posted by smashdn

Regarding losing fishing days, I'd say Barren, Rough and Nolin would be up there due to water fluctuations and color, and add in Barkley due to chocolate milk water as well. The good thing about Barkley is that KY is not far away and if you stay over on the LBL side bays the water stays pretty darn clean even when it isn't. I'm sure it happens but I can't recall KY being muddy.

If you are looking for lake property on KY or Barkley pm me. I am too but not very aggressively. A friend of mine is a real estate agent that specializes in lake properties over there and he set up something for me that will send me emails when he has a listing that meets the criteria I am looking for. I then can go into the listing on the program and rate it as a like, maybe or reject it. Wife and I have been looking for rental property type stuff around the lake.

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not ready to waste a real estate agents time just yet but I will keep that in mind. thank you for the offer.

The good thing about that program is once you set the criteria you are looking for there is no work for the real estate agent, it just shoots out an update email to you when he/they make a new listing that ticks all your boxes. It allows my wife and I to see what is out there and we keep an eye on what types of homes are going for what prices. Will also give you an update if a home on your like or maybe list changes prices or goes off the market.

Zillow is a wonderful tool, until you get really serious. Sometimes Zillow is slow to load a new listing.

I sold my last house on Zillow, for sale by owner, and it worked out great with no realtors involved.

I seriously don't see how you'll find waterfront house with gentle slope to the water and dock for $150k....hard to even find a place up the street from a boat ramp for that price. Any place that's even remotely close to meeting your criteria gets snatched up by people buying it to be a rental on VRBO.


https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/2...15409254_zpid/

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/4...15409230_zpid/

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/1...34473365_zpid/

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/5...15466688_zpid/

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/2...36621442_zpid/

Zillow is a great resource.

LakeHouse.com Lake Homes for Sale, Lakefront Real Estate is also a good site.

We too are getting close to retirement and will be relocating to KY in close proximity (Benton, Draftenville, Aurora somewhere in that area) to Ky Lake. We have been watching the realtor sites and have made several trips down to look at properties. We like realtor.com better than Zillow for the fact Zillow is VERY SLOW to update. We have found places sold for a month or 2 or more before Zillow takes them off the market. Realtor.com seems to update much quicker.