Buying in Canadian Lakes: it's a private community

Canadian Lakes, in Morton Township, is one of the largest private residential communities in Michigan — a few thousand homes spread around a chain of small lakes, with golf courses, beaches, pools, and a clubhouse. It’s a real draw, but it works differently from buying an ordinary house in the county.

When you buy in Canadian Lakes, you become a member of the Canadian Lakes Property Owners Corporation, which runs the community and its amenities. That means annual dues and a set of community rules on top of your regular property taxes — worth budgeting for and reading carefully before you commit. The dues are what fund the lakes, the trails, and the recreation that make the place what it is.

The property owners office can answer questions about membership and current dues.