Manitoulin Island
(295 km, plus a one-and-three-quarter-hour ferry ride from T.O.)
Ripe for graduation from its current status as Sudbury’s camp country, Manitoulin is the world’s largest freshwater island, meaning plenty of water­front. A standard-sized lot with 45 metres of waterfront goes for an average of $275,000. Two hospitals on the island make it attractive to seniors and families with kids. For those with grander ambitions, there are, according to agent Phil Chandler, plenty of private islands priced from $275,000 into the millions.
Nearest town: Northeastern Manitoulin and the Islands, pop. 2,700.
Number of Starbucks within an 80-kilometre radius: Zero.

French river/lake nipissing (345 km from T.O.)
Despite years of drawing hunters and anglers (walleye, pike and muskie are the biggies), Champlain canoeing its waters in 1615 and pronouncing it charmante, and a huge spread in The New York Times travel section (21 years ago now), the French River is still mostly undeveloped as cottage country. The real estate is priced accordingly, despite the picturesque, mostly pristine quality of its Canadian Shield landscape. Look for hunting cabins under $100,000 and cottages in the low $200s.
Nearest town: Sturgeon Falls, pop. 6,000.
Number of Starbucks within an 80-kilometre radius: One.

Finger Lakes, New York (325 km from T.O.)
With the collapse of the U.S. housing market, it’s time to start thinking about cottaging south of the border. Packing seven major lakes, rolling hills, glens and New York state’s wine region thrown in as a bonus, the Finger Lakes is primo territory; its small towns lend it a more rural than rustic tone. It’s only about a four-hour drive (depending on the wait at the border). Two to three bedrooms with waterfront on one of the less expensive lakes, like Cayuga, go for about $150,000. For something ritzier, there’s Canandaigua Lake, where properties start at about $600,000. Or go bare-bones and nab a hunting cabin for $50,000.
Nearest town: Geneva, pop. 14,000.
Number of Starbucks within an 80-kilometre radius: 36.

Combermere (300 km from T.O.)
At less than four hours from Toronto, this is underappreciated territory. Blame the military. The Foymount radar station, a NORAD outpost from the Cold War, used to be here. Though the station has been closed since the 1970s, Jody Didier, a local real estate agent, tells us the area was purposely left off maps. As a result, three-season properties are up for grabs in the $200,000 range, and four-seasons for $250,000 to $350,000. Once people realize what they can get here, it’s sure to fill up.
Nearest town: Barry’s Bay, pop. 1,200.
Number of Starbucks within an 80-kilometre radius: Zero.