My Dad's uncles had cottages on a lake in Northern Indiana. As a kid I remember visiting them. The were fortunate to be side by side. There were 4 cottages altogether. In 1963, Mom and Dad bought their travel trailer and over the next few years they parked on the property at least once every summer for a week. I remember those days vividly. They all had fishing boats, pontoon boats, and one "great" uncle had a ski boat. It was a little bit of paradise for an 8 year old boy.
The cottages were awesome! They were really homes, but not primary residence.
As time went on (fast forward from 1963 to 1988), one cottage had been sold out of the family, one Uncle was living in his cottage full time, one of my dad's cousins inherited his from his dad when he died, and the other Uncle let me and my wife and 2 kids spend a week in his! It was a week I will never, ever forget!
Since then, only 2 of the cottages remain in the family, to their kids, and unfortunately, I'm not in touch with them any more. Too much time and distance has passed. But the memories are still as dear to me as anything.
What I'm saying is, it works both ways, cottage or trailer! I'm glad I had my experiences. I miss many of my family members who have long since died, so going back would never be the same, even I did visit again.
I wish you good luck and hope you also can build precious memories with your new adventure.
