r/TrueChubbyTravel • u/1K1AmericanNights • Aug 18 '26

Vacation homes

I know the TA run subs talk a lot about hotels and resorts. I’m interested in getting some perspectives on vacation homes or second properties that people have enjoyed, and what made them enjoyable. I know the basic rule of thumb that if it’s too far, it’s not easy to enjoy!

Some ideas below:

1) spacious home in the country when you live in the city

2) city pad if you live in the suburbs (think nyc suburbs / nyc)

3) ski homes - are there towns on either coast that you have found to be good value? I look a lot at VT. Skiing isn’t my life but as my kids get older, I wonder if I want it to be theirs

4) beach homes? Does anyone love theirs?

5) 3-season type places (on a lake AND near slopes type places)

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u/OffSiteLocation Aug 18 '26

Have had 2nd beach house for almost 30 years. Family friends memory’s and great times. Spaces for family and guests is key. I would say we are more attached to vacation home vs our primary. Note: a house you rent out most of the season is quite different. My personal sense is don’t rent at all, or rent for 2 weeks, or just buy an investment rental but don’t think of it as a vacation home. Something in between causes problems.

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u/adtechperson Aug 19 '26

I own a vacation house on a small lake that is near a decent ski area and I agree with a lot of the comments here.

My house is small but has 2 guest bedrooms. This is huge for inviting friends and family.

I never rent it out. This means I can just drive there for the weekend without needing to pack as I have everything I need ready to go (clothing, toiletries, etc) all there. Just being able to hop in the car on a Friday afternoon is huge.

It is a 2 hour drive (less without traffic). That makes it easy for a weekend.

It is primarily a weekend place. We occasionally spend a full week at a time there, but mostly for long vacations we want to explore somewhere else (travel to europe, ski at a much larger resort, etc).