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How often do you actually stay at your second home?

5 replies

TheStudioWasFilled · 12/05/2026 16:07

About ten years ago, my DP and I bought what can only be described as a dilapidated cottage that had been sitting on the market for three years. People in the village (it’s a very small village) told us the cost of repairs had put buyers off, and that younger locals weren’t especially interested in staying somewhere so 'dead' and were leaving for better job opportunities (and facilities).

We bought it as we knew we could turn it into a lovely place, we renovated it (my DP is very handy and did a lot of the 'less skilled' work), and now we use it as a second home as well as letting it out as a holiday cottage to help pay towards the fixed bills. It doesn’t get huge numbers of bookings because it really only appeals to people looking for peace and quiet, but we love spending time there. We both WFH, so we can work from there too.

Because of a number of factors, we only manage to stay there between 3 and 7 nights every six weeks, even though we’d like to go more often. If you have a second home, how often do you actually go and stay there?

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Crikeyomalley · 12/05/2026 16:16

I've 2 second homes - one I own with siblings - this year I'll be there twice for 2 weeks each visit- ideally it'd be 3 x 2 week visits. I let friends use it about another 4 weeks. It's in an idyllic remote spot.

The other is a flat in London - I try to be there a couple of days a month. with at least 3 week long stays.

TheStudioWasFilled · 12/05/2026 16:20

@Crikeyomalley We also let friends and family use it although that only takes up 4 - 6 weeks a year. Ours is here in the UK and we can drive there in 3 hours. Is yours also within driving distance?

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GoldbergVariations · 12/05/2026 18:31

We spend about five months a year in our second home in the sun - (but we are retired). Then a few other trips.

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Jellybunny98 · 12/05/2026 18:36

We tend to do one long weekend a month, in the nicer weather we tend to do more because it’s a place with lots of gorgeous walks, a little stream and the garden is amazing so I’d say from May-Sept ish we probably go more like 2 weekends a month. We don’t rent it out but it is used most weekends to be honest by family & friends, it’s only a 2 hour drive from where we are now and is a good middle spot for people travelling further away so friends will often stay there for a couple of nights to break up a journey.

Part of me would love to live there full time, I love the area so much, beautiful scenery, so quiet, amazing walks, so private and really feels like you’re in the middle of nowhere which we love but with two very young children it wouldn’t be ideal full time. Maybe one day!

TheStudioWasFilled · 14/05/2026 10:49

GoldbergVariations · 12/05/2026 18:31

We spend about five months a year in our second home in the sun - (but we are retired). Then a few other trips.

That sounds idyllic. Does anyone else use the place when you're not there?

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