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How hated will we be?

620 replies

SecondH · 10/06/2026 15:08

DH and I are looking at buying a second home by the coast. I would love to hear from other second home owners and people who live in areas where there are lots of second home owners. How hated by the locals would we be? Do neighbours ignore you etc?

OP posts:
Thread gallery
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OtterLovesItsRock · Yesterday 16:09

KeepPumping · 10/06/2026 23:01

People do need the holiday home though, that is the point, maybe they have a stressful job in London?

They could rent an allotment and de-stress there on weekends.

Pleasering · Yesterday 16:10

SecondH · Yesterday 14:33

I'll probably get outbid now 😱

Hope you get it OP. It’s going to be stunning when it is renovated inside

Pleasering · Yesterday 16:16

OtterLovesItsRock · Yesterday 16:09

They could rent an allotment and de-stress there on weekends.

Or they could buy a gorgeous four bedroom house overlooking the bay. I know which I would choose if I had the cash

OtterLovesItsRock · Yesterday 16:20

Pleasering · Yesterday 16:16

Or they could buy a gorgeous four bedroom house overlooking the bay. I know which I would choose if I had the cash

Allotment better for mental health, and physical health into old age.

Pleasering · Yesterday 16:22

OtterLovesItsRock · Yesterday 16:20

Allotment better for mental health, and physical health into old age.

The house comes with half an acre so it’s win-win

OtterLovesItsRock · Yesterday 16:23

Pleasering · Yesterday 16:22

The house comes with half an acre so it’s win-win

I know the place in real life and it is partway to desolation and shiny sham.

Pleasering · Yesterday 16:27

OtterLovesItsRock · Yesterday 16:23

I know the place in real life and it is partway to desolation and shiny sham.

Well, physical health is taken care of by running back up from the beach and mental health by sitting and admiring the gorgeous view.

OtterLovesItsRock · Yesterday 16:29

Pleasering · Yesterday 16:27

Well, physical health is taken care of by running back up from the beach and mental health by sitting and admiring the gorgeous view.

Lovely, have fun
Internal migration is the future

Pleasering · Yesterday 16:31

OtterLovesItsRock · Yesterday 16:29

Lovely, have fun
Internal migration is the future

I’m happy where I am in the countryside but I do love a sea view

OtterLovesItsRock · Yesterday 16:32

Pleasering · Yesterday 16:31

I’m happy where I am in the countryside but I do love a sea view

I, I, I, I, I

Pleasering · Yesterday 16:34

OtterLovesItsRock · Yesterday 16:32

I, I, I, I, I

? I’m not a second homer but I don’t begrudge the OP her good fortune

allthingsinmoderation · Yesterday 16:40

SecondH · 10/06/2026 19:51

Crikey! Never lose that colourful imagination.

That hasn't been my experience of living in Cornwall.
I have met that attitude once or twice but honestly, i've found a great welcoming supportive community.

user4903456342 · Yesterday 16:45

SecondH · Yesterday 14:29

It needs gutting so I can see why it's off putting.

Totally not the point of the thread (sorry), but did you know that if the house has been continuously unoccupied for 2 years or more, VAT on renovations is reduced to 5%? Good to use a builder who is familiar with the scheme, though.

Bluedenimdoglover · Yesterday 17:07

SecondH · 10/06/2026 15:16

Thanks for the honesty. Do you hate them to the point of being rude if one lived next door? Or would it be a quiet resentment.

What would put you off buying a place which would otherwise be bought by a local?
Why don't you buy a holiday only apartment or a holiday lodge?
If you intend staying there in the winter, too, why not move to the area permanently?

CoastlineAtlantic · Yesterday 17:10

I'm afraid that even though the post that inspired the "crikey" response was filled with vitriol, likely born of long-harboured frustration and a cliquey society, it is true, ime, that small communities, especially those separated by distance and culture from other areas, are tightly-knit, and a virtual fortress of suspicion, skepticism and exclusion; it's been like that since ancient times and is still today.
It is very hard to assimilate into a small community, you either 'belong' or you don't, even if you think the connections you may have will give you a free pass, it likely won't, as a PP has said. I hope it works out for the OP in 6 years time, however a lot can happen in 6 years.

Seagoats · Yesterday 17:14

SecondH · 10/06/2026 15:19

How do you feel about people who rent them out as a holiday let when not in use? Would that make them less hated than just leaving it empty for large periods of time.

As someone who lives in cornwall and sees this alot, you will be disliked. Neighbours won't like you because they'll have the constant arrival of new guests who will invariably have a sense of entitlement. And they wont like you because it will be your fault..

SanSeb · Yesterday 17:16

We bought a second home in the city he grew up - partly to look after MIL and partly because we love it. (It's not in Cornwall btw) We get on well with our neighbours - do them favours and they do us - just like normal neighbours, We're there every weekend unless we're on holiday.

Sheknowsaboutme · Yesterday 17:46

Im in wales. You will be hated.

dont leave matches lying around 🤣🫢

Clontash · Yesterday 17:46

SecondH · Yesterday 13:40

It wasn't my intention to share the link as it could be potentially outing, but I can always name change like I did for this thread. It's also not something we have discussed with friends and family yet, so I suppose nobody would be any the wiser if they came across this post.

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/151277174#/?channel=RES_BUY

Near the Bedruthan Steps! Such a lovely beach. I won’t be going back, but it is a great place.

Snoringdogsfarting · Yesterday 17:54

If you want it to retire to as you said, then buy when you retire

Pleasering · Yesterday 17:57

Snoringdogsfarting · Yesterday 17:54

If you want it to retire to as you said, then buy when you retire

Consider yourself told, OP.

Mumoushka · Yesterday 17:58

It s not even our second home and we're resented by the locals for allegedly forcing prices up. We ve been in this house 8 years and next door still haven't spoken to us. The mother ignores us but the daughter and son in law are actively hostile. Luckily there are enough friendly incomers for it not to matter.

Hollybollyhughes · Yesterday 17:59

Wales is very unfriendly, you live here for decades, speak Welsh but... but they are ok if they buy a home in England. Irony eh.

GetOverTheEgo · Yesterday 17:59

Well- FWIW we had a second home in a tourist area then moved here permanently. I never felt any hate, and as we were paying council tax were paying for services we rarely used. In our area second homers prop the economy up- not least because now they pay 200% council tax.

People are not so fond of those who run holiday lets and are essentially absent landlords. But even those businesses prop up the economy as they employ cleaners and gardeners and people come to stay and use the local cafes and restaurants. Our entire area is kept afloat by tourists, second homers and the elderly.

I'm sure I'll be flamed, but that's my experience.