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We don't have a vacation home but I would totally go for one! I don't know how much we would have used it during the first two months of her life, but I think we would use it a lot after that. I wish we had one!

I'm sure you guys have probably discussed this already, but these are some things to consider: Who will manage/maintain the home when it is not in use by you? Will it be available for rent when you aren't using it? And obviously there is all of the expense involved in owning a second home. I would be weary about committing to something like that during the same time as when we would be adjusting to a new baby.

I really want a vacation home. A cabin somewhere secluded but near activities for all four seasons.
It's something I've thought seriously about even gone searching for! But definitely not for a few more years.

@hilsy85: whereabouts are you thinking? I forget, how far are the Adirondacks from NYC?

This is actually why I'm hoping to have a spring/summer due date - so I can go down to my parents shore house as often as possible during my maternity leave. I think that as long as you don't have to do any construction or major projects on the house right away then you would use it often enough.

You might want to consider buying a home that's already furnished or negotiating the sellers leaving the furniture in the sale price so you don't have to deal with that right away. Also, buying something turnkey would make your life easier. But honestly the fact that it's your own vacation house would probably be better than visiting someone else's. If you want to go up there for a weekend and disappear you can. It's a lot more work/stress to be a guest in your family's home and have no control over who else is there.

We never had one, but my family did travel a lot when I was little. We just liked to go to different places.

@hilsy85: another area to consider is Hudson valley! So beautiful and so many wineries too!

My parents have had one since I was pretty little. Their first one was a bit of a trek, maybe 4 hrs away - and we were little so we didn't go that much. They've had one 2 hours away for the past 20 years and go all the time... Being that it is so close it's easier to maintain.... We go all the time since its on the ocean and will probably go a lot with our LO... I would say they go almost every weekend in the summer and probably once or twice a month the rest of the year....

It may be a lot with a newborn - but it will be a great escape from the city for you all!

My parents own a home in The Villages in Florida. Yes, it's in a retirement community, but it's a really nice house and it's only an hour from Orlando. Plus, you get to drive a golf cart everywhere! But seriously, we will probably take several family vacations there - can't beat a free place to stay!