If you have a vacation home...

[kristenk]

what exactly do you do when you're at your vacation home? DH and I are most likely NOT in the 2nd/vacation home market right now. We started talking about what we'd like to do when he retires and the idea of moving to a small house in a more scenic area came up. Then, we discussed the idea of possibly purchasing the home prior to retirement and using it for weekend trips before then.

We're not sure exactly what we would *do* in our "vacation home." We don't have any expensive toys like a boat or atv, etc. so we don't need a place to go play with those. We had a lovely experience with a house we rented with my mom and sis+her family, but that was mainly because mom and sis were there. I mean, it would have been nice without them, but staying together with family was the best part.

I did not grow up with a vacation home. A friend's grandmother had a lake house, but the primary purpose for that was getting the extended family together. (I'm sensing a family theme to vacation homes...)

Anyway, I don't have any experience with vacation homes and am just sort of puzzled now. If you have a vacation home or would like a vacation home, what's the purpose of it? Do you like it?

[WatchingThemGrow]

My ILs have one. They go to it and fix stuff. They trim the shrubs, pull out dead stuff, get doors fixed, windows fixed, clean carpets or are there for people to clean them, they make appointments to get things recaulked, repainted, wood replaced, decks repaired, roof repairs, sticking locks fixed, appliances replaced, plumbing repaired, etc. Then they go to a nearby neighborhood and walk, lol.

[kristenk]

Wtg, wow, that sounds like a lot of fun!

I fear that's what would happen to us.

I don't really think a 2nd home will happen for us. It's just something fun to think about (without thinking about the financial aspects, of course!). And I'm turning it into something sorta unfun b/c I just can't figure out a purpose for the nonexistent house!

[ahisma]

My in-laws have one. It's an hour north of us. We are there often, and just got back from a week there.

We swim, watch sunsets, hike, canoe, play games,watch storms roll in, sail, play mini golf, etc. It's on Lake Michigan, so that helps.

Personally, I love it. Of course, I'm not paying for it, which helps

ETA: FIL is a retired builder and built it about 6 years ago. It is in very good repair and he and his three sons (DH and brothers) help with maintenance and projects. It works.

[WatchingThemGrow]

Originally Posted by kristenk

Wtg, wow, that sounds like a lot of fun!

LOL - Maybe I only hear about the checklists so it doesn't seem they are just down there relaxing(?) but here's what we do:
-read books, watch cable, interact with our kids, take oudoor (enclosed) showers, run on the beach, walk on the beach, nap on the beach, photograph our DC, watch sunrise over the lighthouse, make forts, look for turtle nests, go to the library.

Interestingly, they used to go down there (to the old house for 30 years, before they built this one 12 years ago) with the family (3 boys) and just let everyone wander on the island. Basically, DH just slept and read. Made him happy as could be. One BIL would sail. Not sure what the other was doing...probably drugs. But it kinda took them out of the social life of their regular area. They would go Fri night- Sun so they weren't around for athletic events, church activities, other weekend celebrations. My dad goes to his farm a lot and doesn't come to our kids' birthday parties, etc. Not sure those two things are related, but it is something to consider. You can't be two places at once. I think weekend vacation homes can either give you an excuse not to be somewhere for a reason or kinda remove you from where you "live" so that you don't really participate in all of life there, if that makes sense.

Another thing we've realized is that DH never went to any other "local" places - no beaches, no mountains, no other towns besides driving through them on the way to this desolate beach area. If your $$ and time are all going to one place, you just go there for the most part and don't venture out to see different areas as much. Maybe others do, but that's what I've seen with my ILs.

[wellyes]

We rent a vacation house on a lake every summer. Different lake each time. It's about $1000/week. That's just the right investment for me.

I would consider buying a vacation home if I could spend extended time there every year... like, if I was a school teacher, and had summers with the kids. For just occassional weekends and a week here and there, it wouldnt' be worth the expense and hassle for us.

One option to consider, based on your personality, is picking a town you'd like to settle in and getting a trailer or seasonal camp spot. That way you could really get to know the area and have a home base there without big investment.

[janine]

You should choose the "vacation home" based on your interests. So if you live somewhere rural, a 2nd home could be somewhere near a city with cultural things to do. Or choose a beach town where you can relax, take long walks, enjoy seafood, chill out. Or choose a quaint college town or b&b town which offers restaurants, small theatres, shops, community aspect. Or a golfing community - you buy based on your interests, not try to find something interesting to do in a town you've already bought. That's the luxury of a 2nd home.

[egoldber]

But it kinda took them out of the social life of their regular area. They would go Fri night- Sun so they weren't around for athletic events, church activities, other weekend celebrations.

We have considered buying a beach house/condo and this is the main concern I have about it.

OTOH, now that older DD is older (most of her friends are 10+) I have considered that we could invite a friend to come with her on the weekends.

[bubbaray]

Originally Posted by WatchingThemGrow

My ILs have one. They go to it and fix stuff. They trim the shrubs, pull out dead stuff, get doors fixed, windows fixed, clean carpets or are there for people to clean them, they make appointments to get things recaulked, repainted, wood replaced, decks repaired, roof repairs, sticking locks fixed, appliances replaced, plumbing repaired, etc. Then they go to a nearby neighborhood and walk, lol.

Both DH and I grew up with vacation homes. They are a LOT of work, more work than your "regular" house because you aren't there doing routine maintenance on a daily basis.

We would rather either RV or stay in hotels. When I vacation, I do NOT want to work at all. RVg is the max work I will tolerate (and its pretty much no work).

[almostamom]

We do not have a vacation home currently. My dad has been talking about getting one about 90 minutes north of us for years. I really wish he'd do it. I would like to spend the summers there. It's about 20 degrees cooler there. I'm a teacher so I have part of June and all of July off from work. My DH can work from home and it's close enough that it's not a big deal to run home for a few days and then head back. I just picture us being able to hike, play outside, and do all the things we can't do at home in 110+ degrees. Even getting in and out of the car when it's that hot is just plain awful. (Can you tell I'm really sick of indoor activities right now? )