Second home - which beach? Help please.

[Anonymous]

Cape Charles VA?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you aren't totally in love with a location such that you have it picked out, is a beach house really a good idea instead of just spending the money on long term rentals? I wouldn't want to be locked into a location unless I totally loved it.

This is the best advice on this thread. As PP suggested, take the next year to check out various options, weekends year-round.

(I’m happy the PP who opted to buy west of DC instead of at the beach, but would point out that the bigger beach towns are not dead in the off season any more.)

I’m down at our house in DE beaches right now and just had great sushi yesterday. Restaurants have lots of great off season specials.

Ran errands in Rehoboth today and traffic on route 1 on Monday afternoon! Lots on cars and people not working.

Anyway, if you go to the beach 1 week a year or whatever then no, beach house doesn’t make sense.

We use our beach house mainly as a weekend getaway year round from DC year round and it’s great! Quick easy getaway for 2/3 days. We might block out a week in the summer but usually traveling international then so rent it out.

Our favorite beaches that are easy to get to are in the Caribbean which we go to in the winter. We love Hawaii but too far to fly.

Lots of people like us at DE beaches that it’s a weekend home or there spend the whole summer here.

I feel like I may just not be rich enough to understand, but what’s the point of driving to a beach house in the winter just to do the same stuff you can do here?

NP here, with an east-side Sea Colony condo. For me, the primary draw is the ocean itself. There’s little I loved more than sitting in a chair or lying in bed and looking at the ocean. Or doing so from our balcony on nice days. I don’t actually like sitting on the beach in the summer—far too hot for me—but I love walking along the water in all seasons.

I love the amenities there too. Lots of outdoor and indoor pools, nice gyms, and tennis courts.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you aren't totally in love with a location such that you have it picked out, is a beach house really a good idea instead of just spending the money on long term rentals? I wouldn't want to be locked into a location unless I totally loved it.

This is the best advice on this thread. As PP suggested, take the next year to check out various options, weekends year-round.

(I’m happy the PP who opted to buy west of DC instead of at the beach, but would point out that the bigger beach towns are not dead in the off season any more.)

I’m down at our house in DE beaches right now and just had great sushi yesterday. Restaurants have lots of great off season specials.

Ran errands in Rehoboth today and traffic on route 1 on Monday afternoon! Lots on cars and people not working.

Anyway, if you go to the beach 1 week a year or whatever then no, beach house doesn’t make sense.

We use our beach house mainly as a weekend getaway year round from DC year round and it’s great! Quick easy getaway for 2/3 days. We might block out a week in the summer but usually traveling international then so rent it out.

Our favorite beaches that are easy to get to are in the Caribbean which we go to in the winter. We love Hawaii but too far to fly.

Lots of people like us at DE beaches that it’s a weekend home or there spend the whole summer here.

I feel like I may just not be rich enough to understand, but what’s the point of driving to a beach house in the winter just to do the same stuff you can do here?

Well there is lots of activities in the winter here esp with kids.

Bethany has festive weekend with light food and drink get together, Santa for kids, horse drawn rides thru town.

Big builders here do a winter wonderland full of fun stuff for the kids. Santa house in Rehoboth to see Santa

Xmass tree lighting and caroling. Winter Festival of Lights in OC.

I could go on but you get the drift. Lots other events here year round spring and fall.

My DS has lots of happy memories doing stuff at the beach besides summer.

DH loves to do golf weekend with the boys in fall and spring

[Anonymous]

During covid we bought a rowhouse off Rt 1 about a 15 min drive into downtown reho with traffic. The community has pools, paths, exercise rooms, etc, so for us it's a real escape with lovely views and stars in the night sky (we live in DC itself, so stars are improtant). I wish we had water access.

I think if it's just two of you, and you want escape, I'd search along the shores of Chesapeake Bay - closer, more affordable. There are hidden gems. I've seen people recommend North Beach or Chesapeake beach. We used to go there when the kids were small for day trips. I didn't think those tows were particularly charming, sad to say. But I think you should think about what you really want (peavefulness? quiet? night sky? water view? waves? water access for boating, etc etc etc) and then just start exploring.

I grew up in a small town on the lower easrtern shore. There's a lot of small places and hidden gems further down the shore, in Virginia, though a longer drive. I don't know the upper bay as well, but I think it would be fun to epxlore. I also grew up going to ocean City, and while I still love it, it's not what it once was. We looked a lot at places around 120th street. There are some good options. But for us for a variety of reasons (taxes being one, slightly closer, more friends from DC who travel there, more year round ammenities), Rehoboth won out.

[Anonymous]

We have a house at DE beaches. During Covid, we stayed at our beach house for a few months when kids were not in school and online learning.

We explored all the hiking trails within 1/2 drive.

There are so many great ones, short and long and lots of variety. It’s great and you will love it if you are into hiking.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We have a house at DE beaches. During Covid, we stayed at our beach house for a few months when kids were not in school and online learning.

We explored all the hiking trails within 1/2 drive.

There are so many great ones, short and long and lots of variety. It’s great and you will love it if you are into hiking.

Typo 1/2 hour drive

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you aren't totally in love with a location such that you have it picked out, is a beach house really a good idea instead of just spending the money on long term rentals? I wouldn't want to be locked into a location unless I totally loved it.

This is the best advice on this thread. As PP suggested, take the next year to check out various options, weekends year-round.

(I’m happy the PP who opted to buy west of DC instead of at the beach, but would point out that the bigger beach towns are not dead in the off season any more.)

I’m down at our house in DE beaches right now and just had great sushi yesterday. Restaurants have lots of great off season specials.

Ran errands in Rehoboth today and traffic on route 1 on Monday afternoon! Lots on cars and people not working.

Anyway, if you go to the beach 1 week a year or whatever then no, beach house doesn’t make sense.

We use our beach house mainly as a weekend getaway year round from DC year round and it’s great! Quick easy getaway for 2/3 days. We might block out a week in the summer but usually traveling international then so rent it out.

Our favorite beaches that are easy to get to are in the Caribbean which we go to in the winter. We love Hawaii but too far to fly.

Lots of people like us at DE beaches that it’s a weekend home or there spend the whole summer here.

I feel like I may just not be rich enough to understand, but what’s the point of driving to a beach house in the winter just to do the same stuff you can do here?

LOL! The rich throw exclusive holiday parties at their houses in North Bethany.

[Anonymous]

OP with your budget I would look at something like this https://redf.in/xP6XVo or this https://redf.in/8PjAT9 in north OC. Both are great quiet neighborhoods on the bay, walking distance to the beach and some other stuff, with community amenities. If you’re like me you are a true beach person who wouldn’t be happy at a mountain, lake or Easter shore house. I love the beach town feel and I don’t want to sit in traffic on local roads to get from my beach house to the actual beach.

OCMD has many more different types of housing than the DE beaches unless you’re willing to go inland to Ocean View, Selbyville, Millsboro, etc. And traffic is getting BAD there with all the new construction and retirees moving in.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You can buy a condo at sea colony without having $4 million. I guess maybe OP doesn’t want condo ownership or the people on this board are all bajillionaires and can’t fathom that anyone would ever own a condo.

I would never buy a Condo at the beach because the maintenance of the buildings is never ending. I don’t want to have to come up with a special assessment because concrete is failing or the Board delayed preventative maintenance.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you aren't totally in love with a location such that you have it picked out, is a beach house really a good idea instead of just spending the money on long term rentals? I wouldn't want to be locked into a location unless I totally loved it.

This is the best advice on this thread. As PP suggested, take the next year to check out various options, weekends year-round.

(I’m happy the PP who opted to buy west of DC instead of at the beach, but would point out that the bigger beach towns are not dead in the off season any more.)

I’m down at our house in DE beaches right now and just had great sushi yesterday. Restaurants have lots of great off season specials.

Ran errands in Rehoboth today and traffic on route 1 on Monday afternoon! Lots on cars and people not working.

Anyway, if you go to the beach 1 week a year or whatever then no, beach house doesn’t make sense.

We use our beach house mainly as a weekend getaway year round from DC year round and it’s great! Quick easy getaway for 2/3 days. We might block out a week in the summer but usually traveling international then so rent it out.

Our favorite beaches that are easy to get to are in the Caribbean which we go to in the winter. We love Hawaii but too far to fly.

Lots of people like us at DE beaches that it’s a weekend home or there spend the whole summer here.

I feel like I may just not be rich enough to understand, but what’s the point of driving to a beach house in the winter just to do the same stuff you can do here?

DP but for me the second home is a getaway from the stresses of everyday life that are left behind at the primary home. Bills, clutter, work, whatever.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you aren't totally in love with a location such that you have it picked out, is a beach house really a good idea instead of just spending the money on long term rentals? I wouldn't want to be locked into a location unless I totally loved it.

This is the best advice on this thread. As PP suggested, take the next year to check out various options, weekends year-round.

(I’m happy the PP who opted to buy west of DC instead of at the beach, but would point out that the bigger beach towns are not dead in the off season any more.)

I’m down at our house in DE beaches right now and just had great sushi yesterday. Restaurants have lots of great off season specials.

Ran errands in Rehoboth today and traffic on route 1 on Monday afternoon! Lots on cars and people not working.

Anyway, if you go to the beach 1 week a year or whatever then no, beach house doesn’t make sense.

We use our beach house mainly as a weekend getaway year round from DC year round and it’s great! Quick easy getaway for 2/3 days. We might block out a week in the summer but usually traveling international then so rent it out.

Our favorite beaches that are easy to get to are in the Caribbean which we go to in the winter. We love Hawaii but too far to fly.

Lots of people like us at DE beaches that it’s a weekend home or there spend the whole summer here.

I feel like I may just not be rich enough to understand, but what’s the point of driving to a beach house in the winter just to do the same stuff you can do here?

Rich people don’t “winter” at Delaware beaches. People who are wintering there don’t have better options.

It has proximity to DC. That is the appeal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you aren't totally in love with a location such that you have it picked out, is a beach house really a good idea instead of just spending the money on long term rentals? I wouldn't want to be locked into a location unless I totally loved it.

This is the best advice on this thread. As PP suggested, take the next year to check out various options, weekends year-round.

(I’m happy the PP who opted to buy west of DC instead of at the beach, but would point out that the bigger beach towns are not dead in the off season any more.)

I’m down at our house in DE beaches right now and just had great sushi yesterday. Restaurants have lots of great off season specials.

Ran errands in Rehoboth today and traffic on route 1 on Monday afternoon! Lots on cars and people not working.

Anyway, if you go to the beach 1 week a year or whatever then no, beach house doesn’t make sense.

We use our beach house mainly as a weekend getaway year round from DC year round and it’s great! Quick easy getaway for 2/3 days. We might block out a week in the summer but usually traveling international then so rent it out.

Our favorite beaches that are easy to get to are in the Caribbean which we go to in the winter. We love Hawaii but too far to fly.

Lots of people like us at DE beaches that it’s a weekend home or there spend the whole summer here.

I feel like I may just not be rich enough to understand, but what’s the point of driving to a beach house in the winter just to do the same stuff you can do here?

Rich people don’t “winter” at Delaware beaches. People who are wintering there don’t have better options.

It has proximity to DC. That is the appeal.

Speaking as a non-rich person who spends weekends there, yes, it’s proximity.

Air travel is increasingly unpleasant, so for me personally, only worth it for longer trips.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you aren't totally in love with a location such that you have it picked out, is a beach house really a good idea instead of just spending the money on long term rentals? I wouldn't want to be locked into a location unless I totally loved it.

This is the best advice on this thread. As PP suggested, take the next year to check out various options, weekends year-round.

(I’m happy the PP who opted to buy west of DC instead of at the beach, but would point out that the bigger beach towns are not dead in the off season any more.)

I’m down at our house in DE beaches right now and just had great sushi yesterday. Restaurants have lots of great off season specials.

Ran errands in Rehoboth today and traffic on route 1 on Monday afternoon! Lots on cars and people not working.

Anyway, if you go to the beach 1 week a year or whatever then no, beach house doesn’t make sense.

We use our beach house mainly as a weekend getaway year round from DC year round and it’s great! Quick easy getaway for 2/3 days. We might block out a week in the summer but usually traveling international then so rent it out.

Our favorite beaches that are easy to get to are in the Caribbean which we go to in the winter. We love Hawaii but too far to fly.

Lots of people like us at DE beaches that it’s a weekend home or there spend the whole summer here.

I feel like I may just not be rich enough to understand, but what’s the point of driving to a beach house in the winter just to do the same stuff you can do here?

Rich people don’t “winter” at Delaware beaches. People who are wintering there don’t have better options.

It has proximity to DC. That is the appeal.

Speaking as a non-rich person who spends weekends there, yes, it’s proximity.

Air travel is increasingly unpleasant, so for me personally, only worth it for longer trips.

Correct: when you are wintering in Hawaii, it's more pleasant to fly business/first class, like a rich person.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you aren't totally in love with a location such that you have it picked out, is a beach house really a good idea instead of just spending the money on long term rentals? I wouldn't want to be locked into a location unless I totally loved it.

This is the best advice on this thread. As PP suggested, take the next year to check out various options, weekends year-round.

(I’m happy the PP who opted to buy west of DC instead of at the beach, but would point out that the bigger beach towns are not dead in the off season any more.)

I’m down at our house in DE beaches right now and just had great sushi yesterday. Restaurants have lots of great off season specials.

Ran errands in Rehoboth today and traffic on route 1 on Monday afternoon! Lots on cars and people not working.

Anyway, if you go to the beach 1 week a year or whatever then no, beach house doesn’t make sense.

We use our beach house mainly as a weekend getaway year round from DC year round and it’s great! Quick easy getaway for 2/3 days. We might block out a week in the summer but usually traveling international then so rent it out.

Our favorite beaches that are easy to get to are in the Caribbean which we go to in the winter. We love Hawaii but too far to fly.

Lots of people like us at DE beaches that it’s a weekend home or there spend the whole summer here.

I feel like I may just not be rich enough to understand, but what’s the point of driving to a beach house in the winter just to do the same stuff you can do here?

Rich people don’t “winter” at Delaware beaches. People who are wintering there don’t have better options.

It has proximity to DC. That is the appeal.

Speaking as a non-rich person who spends weekends there, yes, it’s proximity.

Air travel is increasingly unpleasant, so for me personally, only worth it for longer trips.

Correct: when you are wintering in Hawaii, it's more pleasant to fly business/first class, like a rich person.

Lol, which you are apparently not, since you are currently posting to DCUM as n the middle of the night Hawaii time. Decent troll attempt, though! 4/10

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you aren't totally in love with a location such that you have it picked out, is a beach house really a good idea instead of just spending the money on long term rentals? I wouldn't want to be locked into a location unless I totally loved it.

This is the best advice on this thread. As PP suggested, take the next year to check out various options, weekends year-round.

(I’m happy the PP who opted to buy west of DC instead of at the beach, but would point out that the bigger beach towns are not dead in the off season any more.)

I’m down at our house in DE beaches right now and just had great sushi yesterday. Restaurants have lots of great off season specials.

Ran errands in Rehoboth today and traffic on route 1 on Monday afternoon! Lots on cars and people not working.

Anyway, if you go to the beach 1 week a year or whatever then no, beach house doesn’t make sense.

We use our beach house mainly as a weekend getaway year round from DC year round and it’s great! Quick easy getaway for 2/3 days. We might block out a week in the summer but usually traveling international then so rent it out.

Our favorite beaches that are easy to get to are in the Caribbean which we go to in the winter. We love Hawaii but too far to fly.

Lots of people like us at DE beaches that it’s a weekend home or there spend the whole summer here.

I feel like I may just not be rich enough to understand, but what’s the point of driving to a beach house in the winter just to do the same stuff you can do here?

Rich people don’t “winter” at Delaware beaches. People who are wintering there don’t have better options.

It has proximity to DC. That is the appeal.

Speaking as a non-rich person who spends weekends there, yes, it’s proximity.

Air travel is increasingly unpleasant, so for me personally, only worth it for longer trips.

Correct: when you are wintering in Hawaii, it's more pleasant to fly business/first class, like a rich person.

Lol, which you are apparently not, since you are currently posting to DCUM as n the middle of the night Hawaii time.

Yes apparently not, as I never represented I was posting from Hawaii. (You know that because you quoted the post)

When I do post from Hawaii - not from a second home - I am remote working on east coast time and do indeed post online at 3am Hawaii time, as any remote worker will tell you.

Decent troll attempt, though! 4/10

Decent reading attempt 0/10