US Island Homes Offering Peace & Quiet — No Cars Allowed

June 27, 2017 by Paul Ausick

For most of us, the daily racket and clamor of cars and buses and trains are part of our daily landscapes. But that’s not the way it is everywhere.

There are American communities where you either have to walk, ride a bicycle or tool around in a golf cart because cars and other motorized vehicles are not permitted. The loudest noise you’re likely to hear is the crash of waves on the beach because most of these communities are located on islands.

But the peace and quiet of living in such a place do not ordinarily come cheap. Real estate experts at Trulia located seven island properties that range in price from a $3.1 million for a 10-bedroom home to $90,000 for a fixer-upper.

Here are the properties for sale in the no-hubbub world of car-free islands:

Bald Head Island, North Carolina
A small island located east of the Cape Fear River accessible only by a 20-minute ferry ride from the mainland town of Southport. A 1,900-square foot, three-bedroom cottage is for sale at $495,000.

Monhegan Island, Maine
This rocky island off the coast of Maine houses a permanent population of just 70 souls and can be reached by boat from one of three nearby ports. A three-bedroom cottage currently doing duty as an art gallery and studio is on offer from $425,000.

Fire Island, New York
A 15-minute ferry ride across Long Island Sound is the only way to get to this island that is just 90 minutes from New York City. A three-bedroom, beachfront home with its own backyard pool is for sale at an asking price of $795,000.

Ismailof Island, Alaska
Overlooking Kachemak Bay State Park and between the bay and the town of Homer, Ismailof Island’s main attraction is wildlife. A three-bedroom with a private dock is for sale at $529,000.

Mackinac Island, Michigan
A state park occupies 80% of the island located at the meeting points of Lake Michigan and Lake Huron, a primary form of transportation on Mackinac is the horse and buggy. A 6,500-square foot, 10-bedroom seven-bath is one of only 50 homes on the island and is listed for $3.1 million.

Russell Island, Michigan
A private island that borders Canada on the St. Clair River is reachable only by ferry or private boat. A 1,300-square foot, four-bedroom (small ones) cottage is available for $189,000.

Tangier Island, Virginia
Located in the Chesapeake Bay, 12 miles offshore, the island offers plenty of things to do on your own two feet. A three-bedroom, two-bath home with an interior “in need of a major facelift” is listed at $90,000.

More details and photos are at Trulia’s website.

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