Holiday home and spending holidays there

[munchymoo]

In my ideal dream world, we would move to the country - increasingly fed up of London, the noise, the crowding etc and I am a much better and happier person when I am surrounded by nature. Also want the children to grow up with freedom and space to roam. However DH not keen and all kids very happy in respective schools, it probably isn't the best decision right now.

I had thought that an alternative option might be to buy a holiday cottage (poss Cotswolds or Devon) and spend the long school holidays there. I work freelance and am usually at home with the kids on school holidays so this would be feasible. Am aware would not be a good business decision as we would be there during the busiest seasons so would lose booking income. We already have a buy to let property business so are experienced landlords although I realise holiday lets are a different kettle of fish.

Has anyone done this and has it worked for you or did it end up costing you a fortune and not to be recommended?

Bloody hell, will you please stop being so greedy and leave these properties for locals to buy. Surely you can understand that their need for a home is more important than your need for a holiday home.

Ignoring the ethics of this- colleague who did this found that a) it was tough when the dcs were little and it rained all summer (combo of friends all in London who would otherwise have had a play date, limited toys at the holiday house as can’t bring everything and indoor activities for dcs needed to be booked as full of holiday makers trying to make the most of their holiday) b) the children were resistant to go for the whole holidays once they were teens and missing out of social life in London and c) it limited them to the same place for holidays, to get their money’s worth, but if they hadn’t done this they would have explored different parts of the uk for holidays or gone overseas more.

She had the same house for over 10 years, in the end she was approached by someone who was looking for a long term rental in that village and she’s now got it as a full rental.

I think a rural idyll is less idyllic the minute your Dc become teens. They will miss their friends so refuse to de-camp for the summer. Frolicking in puddles loses its charm for them. What would visiting teens do in the Cotswolds for 6 weeks?

Roaming on narrow lanes without pavements to reach footpaths across otherwise forbidden private land?

If you can afford it buy the cottage but also plan to let it out, at least holiday lets provide custom for the local shops and pubs.

Just move out of London but commutable belt , there are many rural places close to London

I had a reverse holiday home - I lived in the IOW and bought a small flat in London. For three years we used it in occasion and a number of friends borrowed it, but eventually I couldn’t justify missing out on the rent I would get so I’ve let it out full time for the last seven years. I think either you have a holiday home for your own use or you have a holiday let - it’s a faff having to miss out on the high season and keeping all your personal items locked up or out of the house.
I know families who have enjoyed their holiday homes for generations. Some also retire to them. But it does mean going to the same place year after year, which can be great if you build up connections there over time, but may also be restrictive.