Harbor Country, Michigan
Nestled along the southeastern shores of Lake Michigan just 70 minutes from Chicago, is a magnificent area of Michigan aptly named Harbor Country, after its beautiful harbor and lush, scenic countryside. Harbor Country consists of eight small, quaint towns that have been officially incorporated into a state-recognized geographic region with a Chamber of Commerce and even a federally registered trademark of its name.
Since the mid 1980's the secret has been out on Harbor Country and it has been dubbed 'The Hamptons of the Midwest'. This area is now a destination of choice for visitors seeking solace at its beautiful beaches, scenic countryside or quaint shops, restaurants and cafes.
It is also the home of choice for families and singles seeking a peaceful, tranquil lifestyle for their families or themselves. If you are looking for an amazingly beautiful, safe place to purchase a home, Harbor Country just may be your country!
Lake Living Realty will be glad to help you in your search for just the right home in one of the most beautiful areas of Michigan. So now, let us be your tour guide and take a closer look at Harbor Country.
The Towns of Harbor Country
The official area of Harbor Country consists of the towns of: Sawyer, Harbert, Lakeside, Union Pier, New Buffalo, Grand Beach, Michiana and Three Oaks.
Sawyer
The northernmost town in Harbor Country, the village of Sawyer is lush with vineyards and home to Warren Dunes State Park, which consists of 1,500 acres of majestic dunes and over two miles of pristine beaches, and makes up one of Michigan's largest and most popular state parks. Several curio shops and restaurants line the quaint downtown area of Sawyer, with a large travel center with chain restaurants just off the interstate area to the east of the town.
Harbert
Just to the south of Sawyer is Harbert, one of the smallest towns in Harbor Country and the home of poet Carl Sandburg for over 15 years. Numerous art galleries, antique shops, cafes and a bed and breakfast are the centerpiece of this quiet little village.
Lakeside
Just south of Harbert, historic inns on private beaches with some of the most spectacular sunsets on Lake Michigan, chic shops, antique stores, studios and art galleries, along with vineyards and farm markets are the story of the small village of Lakeside. The Lakeside Inn, one of two inns in Lakeside, is one of the most historic inns in Michigan and was purported to be a favorite drinking and gambling spot of Al Capone and numerous Chicago politicians during the Prohibition years.
Union Pier
To the south of Lakeside, the unique village of Union Pier has numerous inns and bed & breakfasts along the lake with beachfront access. Once a bustling shipping port for Chicago merchants and home to numerous movie and rock stars, Union Pier is now home to three world-class wineries, art galleries, antique shops, cafes and restaurants and some of the finest beaches on Lake Michigan.
New Buffalo
New Buffalo is the next village to the south, just a few miles from Union Pier. Restaurants, cafes and bars and grills are in plentiful supply and line the streets, along with shops and galleries, and you can even go on a fishing boat charter. But, the centerpiece of New Buffalo is its spectacular view of the harbor and the Florida-like sunsets at dusk. You can even see the Aurora Borealis when conditions are just right! New Buffalo is also home to the Amtrak station that serves the Harbor Country area. To top it off, New Buffalo is home to the Four Winds Casino Resort, the premier casino in the midwest.
Grand Beach
The next village to the south is Grand Beach, where resort living and a nine-hole golf course right on Lake Michigan are the draw for visitors. Beautiful countryside, spectacular beaches and quiet living are the reasons to look at Grand Beach for a home.
Michiana
Michiana is the southernmost village in Harbor Country. It is the last town on the lake in Michigan, lying just to the south of Grand Beach and directly on the border of Michigan and Indiana, hence its name, Michiana. It is home to numerous inns, u-pick farms and plentiful shopping. It is also known for its quaint log cabins, some of which date back to the 1920's.
Three Oaks
About six miles to the east of the shore of Lake Michigan, is the eastern side of Harbor Country, and the village of Three Oaks. This village is a home to the arts, with performances at the famous Acorn Theater, independent and foreign films showing in Three Oak's vintage theater and art festivals on the streets occurring every month on a regular basis. A bistro, cafe and other restaurants, along with shopping and bicycle trails round out this beautiful eastern edge of Harbor Country.
Area Information
Population - 165,000
Schools - Two elementary schools, one middle school and two high schools serve the Harbor Country area.
Hospitals - There are three hospitals serving the Harbor Country area.
Emergency Services - There are local police, fire and ambulance services throughout the Harbor Country area.
Find a Great Real Estate Deal in Harbor Country Now
There are plenty of great real estate deals right now in the Harbor Country area with plenty of homes, land and dockage available. Prices range from the low 100's to millions for homes, the mid 50's and up for building sites and the mid 30's and up for dockage. Lake Living Realty will be glad to help you in your search for just the right home, homesite or slip for your boat in one of the most stunningly beautiful areas of Michigan. Call us today for an appointment to find your new home!
