Where to get a second house?

[StealthRabbit]

There seems to be a false presumption that everyone desires (deserves?) to buy a home.

My economics instruction (in all of life) clearly demonstrates what a poor investment a primary residence can be.

I have rented instead of buying before, and will certainly be a renter in the end. My tenants agree, and always have the opportunity to buy my residences at greatly reduced prices. Very few choose to buy, especially retiree tenants. (They too have learned the noose a home can be).

Subject: WHERE to get a 2nd home?

1) where you desire. (Weather, family, climate, activities, quietness, good neighbors....)
2) where you can easily access, or pay someone to maintain.
2) where you can afford (if money is any concern)
3) where property can cash flow (if necessary)
4) where you can resell (if something comes up forcing you to sell)

Similar reasons for your 1st house - 100th house. (If you so need or desire)

An international destination would be my first choice, as the USA has obviously demonstrated it's benefits(?) in the past year.

OP (currently Boulder) requests cooler, wetter (but not humid), lakes, convenient to travel.
Switzerland, Bavaria, Scotland come to mind, tho Estes Park would be closer. (BTDT)

[Floats]

Originally Posted by ponyupgrl

Wow - serious judgement on this thread.

OP - what months do you see yourself traveling outside of the Boulder area most frequently?

July when it’s hottest.

[Westerner92]

Originally Posted by ponyupgrl

So weird, my 2.7 college GPA never came up when I was buying my house

Interesting, my college GPA was one of the critical determining factors in graduating with minimal debt and getting an entry-level career track that actually paid enough to save for a down payment. Some of the accounts that still show up in my credit check had conditions tied to my GPA. My lender didn’t ask, but my broker pried a little after a couple drinks because clients in their 20s are so rare.

[COcheesehead]

A good GPA will help you get tuition assistance, but it won’t help you get a mortgage.

[StealthRabbit]

Originally Posted by Floats

July when it’s hottest.

Alaska = long days and nice July temps (or Queenstown NZ for winter temps and snow skiing)

[LHS79]

Originally Posted by StealthRabbit

Alaska = long days and nice July temps (or Queenstown NZ for winter temps and snow skiing)

Yep- had a great time skiing the South Island (Coronet Peak) in July- still does not compare to Colorado snow in our winter.

Knew a lot of people that would work here in winter then head back to OZ/NZ and would just go back/forth every year skiing- I wish!!

What the "progressive" nations like Australia make you do ( if you want to immigrate ) is to make you pay a $1 million bond before allowing you entry to the country if you want to retire there. If you are old and get sick the bond pays for your medical care- why should a retiree that paid -0- into the "free" healthcare system get free healthcare if they never paid into it?

Maybe the USA can require the same thing eventually- sounds like a fair plan.