Summer may be over, but that doesn’t mean you have to stop dreaming of a getaway home. Imagine enjoying fall and winter from your second home just a few hours away from Chicago. If you don’t want (or can’t afford) a view of the lake
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, there are still plenty of options where you can be surrounded by nature in places like Northern Indiana, Southern Wisconsin, and Harbor Country in Michigan. Fair warning: If you’re looking for a sanctuary for rest and relaxation that’s architecturally interesting, you may have to shell out a small fortune.7365 W 125 N, La Porte, IN, $2,250,000
Larry Booth, a member of the postmodern Chicago Seven architects, designed this contemporary three-bedroom, two-bathroom home set on 20 acres in LaPorte, Indiana, more than 30 years ago. There is much to love about this as-is property (well, except for the high price tag). Booth thoughtfully incorporated the 4,500-square-foot structure with its surrounding environment. The window placements bring in a great deal of light and perfectly capture the tree-lined landscape. I also like the interior courtyard and saltwater lap pool.
5965 Steele Road, Burlington, WI, $625,000
Lake Geneva and the Twin Lakes might immediately come to mind when crossing the Wisconsin border. But not far from these resort spots is a one-of-a-kind design with a cool 1970s vibe, situated on four acres outside the historic town of Burlington. Designed by a local architect for his own family, the 2,322-square-foot, three-bedroom, three-bathroom house has a lot of wood on the interior and exterior. With that outdoor pool and sprawling backyard, this looks like a great place to have a party — or just chill out.
3 Powhatan Dr, Michiana Shores, IN, $1,299,000
Here’s a storybook charmer in the beach community of Michiana Shores that was first listed for sale in mid-September. The design of the three-bedroom, three-bathroom house is a reminder of the area’s early days. It was founded by developers Orphie Gotto and Clarence Mathias who created a “log cabin town” for Chicago school teachers in the 1930s. Though an older home, the rustic look of the interior has been freshened up with white paint. I love the three-season porch that overlooks the mature trees on the property.
207 Tryon Farm Ln, Michigan City, IN, $549,000
Tryon Farm is a community of 65 modern, environmentally sensitive residences in a protected 120-acre natural area in Michigan City, Indiana. This particular country home is a little over 2,000 square feet and comes with three bedrooms and two-and-a-half bathrooms, as well as a pool. The design takes advantage of its sloped wooded lot as you can see with its variety of windows, sleeping porch, and outdoor shower. Just outside your front door are five-plus miles of walking and biking trails and more than 40 acres of open grass meadows and ponds.
7510 Harbert Rd, Three Oaks, MI, $1,325,000
Just off the Red Arrow Highway and not far from Lake Michigan is a fantastic getaway that would be perfect as a personal residence or short-term rental. The contemporary design is spread over four levels with plenty of indoor and outdoor spaces to take in the views of the full-grown trees that surround the two-acre property. Besides the three bedrooms and three-and-a-half bathrooms, the home also comes with two screened-in porches, a yoga/exercise studio, a wine room, a deck for outdoor dining, a firepit, an inground pool, and a hot tub.