A second home can be many things: a place to escape to on weekends, a home to visit for the entire summer, a week-long destination a few times a year, a ski get-away, or a place purchased for an upcoming retirement destination. Finding the best location for your second home or vacation destination is uniquely personal. While you're researching locations, here are some tips to help you discover the best place for your vacation home.


What Do You Want Out of a Second Home?

Spend some time thinking about what type of needs and desires a second home will fulfill for you. Define the kind of lifestyle you desire, whether it is recreational, social, community-based, or more private. Think about how you spend your leisure time. Are there activities that you cannot live without, such as fine restaurants, clubs, high-end grocery stores and/or coffee houses? If familiarity is important, consider areas where you have friends or family – a built-in community – or spots what you have frequented over the years. Look for locations that have the amenities that reflect who you are and what you like to do.


Vacation Memories

Look at your old photo albums and talk with family members about your favorite vacations. What were your most enjoyable visits, and what activities did you enjoy the most? Consider a second home in one of these places or a spot that offers the same type of vacation activities.


Seasonality

Think about what the season, or time of year, is your favorite and choose a climate that matches your needs. If you are planning on using your second home all-year long, make sure it has weather you can enjoy any time of the year.


Distance from Your Home

Determine how often you will visit your second home and calculate the ideal travel distance by car or plane. If you don't like to fly or the cost of plane tickets is an issue, you should consider a property that is within driving distance from your permanent residence. If you want to be able to commute to your vacation home during the weekend, look for a property within 200 miles from your primary residence – as this is the maximum distance most people are willing to travel for short vacations and weekends. Distance is also an important consideration if your planning on hosting friends and family – think about how far people are willing to travel and how much they are willing to spend to get there. Another determining factor is vacation time. If you have limited time off, you may want to take advantage of the weekends and consider a place that is only an hour or two away by car.


Long-term Use

It's important to think about all the use for your potential second home. If you're considering renting your vacation home, make sure you look for communities that are popular for renters. If your house will be used in retirement, make sure the area offers all the appropriate amenities that you will want and need for extended usage.