To think that owning a second home to use as a holiday home is extremely selfish?

[benadrylcucumberpatch]

It would be a different story if there was a surplus of vacant properties . As it stands holiday home owners turn communities into ghost towns, inflate prices in desirable areas (many of which are rural with low wages) and displace people who would live in the property full time.

Aibu to think this is selfish and reprehensible? Why are such people not villified for taking more than they need in such an extreme way?

Oh Christ. So very, very sorry @Rachelover40. How dreadful for you and your son. Please take care. 💐

Rachelover40

can't think of the words to say - thought with you 💐

Omg Rachelover40 I am so sorry, that is a truly awful thing to have happened

Deeply sorry for your loss. What a dreadful thing.

Rachelover40

I am so so sorry. My thoughts are with you.

I’m sorry Rachel xx

Rachelover40

I'm so sorry, what an awful shock. My thoughts will be with you and your family

@Rachelover40. So so sorry for your loss. Sending my condolences and my thoughts are with you 💐

I live near Abersoch, where a beach hut costs the same as a two bedroom terrace. Whilst I can live with the idea that I’ll never be able to afford the two million pound houses up on the headland, it’s quite a bitter pill to swallow that I’m being priced out of the two up two downs terrace houses as well. I’m a teacher so not on a pittance but certainly struggling to get on the housing ladder. There are two bedroom bungalows for sale for £650,000 here!

It’s very sad and yes, the area is a ghost town in the Winter. And for those saying that people come and use the pubs and restaurants and local facilities etc, yes some do. But there is also an abundance of Tesco and Waitrose home delivery lorries bringing shopping to these holiday lets and many of them are so luxurious with hot tubs, fire pits etc that people very often choose to stay in and sip wine than to go out and spend in the local economy.

When they do try and help the issue by building new builds with local restrictions, those restrictions often make it almost impossible to get a mortgage on the houses. Because of this, the houses sit empty for a few years and then the restrictions are lifted and we get even more holiday homes.

I’m also a teacher at a Welsh school so you have the extra dimension of the huge effect on our language too.

I can understand why people with a lot of money might choose to buy a nice house on the coast, of course I can. But if you’d been completely priced out of ever being able to buy a very modest home in your local area, you might think twice.

I hadn’t read the full thread before posting. Goodness me, I’m so sorry @Rachelover40

Sending huge condolences xxxx

I am so sorry Rachelover40

You're all very kind, thank you. It still doesn't seem real. I have posted on MN because I felt the need for diversion but I don't want to divert this thread into being about me which is why I haven't posted on it today.

Just wanted to say I appreciate everyone's good wishes.

Annabk I imagine your aunt with 7 children is doing a sterling job of keeping her local community going by supporting local schools, shops, and other community facilities.

@Rachelover40. For an awful 40 minutes, when the hospital A&E put me in a private room, I thought the same had happened. It was hell.

Oh my god @Rachelover40 I’m so sorry.