Let’s daydream a little. If you had the opportunity to own a vacation home, where would you choose Mountains or the Beach? Would you hightail it to a mountain chalet or lay low at a beach bungalow? If you asked me this question last spring I would have quickly answered, “The beach!” But with summer behind us – and after hearing countless vacation stories from friends’ mountain and beach trips – I’m beginning to wonder which makes for a better family vacation.

Of course you don’t need to own a second home to enjoy one location over the other. And the time of year also makes a big difference. But if you had to choose a house in the mountains or one at the beach – a house you would own and visit no matter the season – which would you choose? Wouldn’t you love to be in this predicament?

To get the conversation started, I compiled a list of pros and cons. Feel free to add your own pluses and minuses – and then share with us your final decision and why!

The Mountains or the Beach?

Pros of a Mountain Home / Vacation

Can be enjoyed year-round
Amazing beauty
Access to lots of outdoor activities: hiking, skiing, canoeing, kayaking, camping, etc
Lots of snow does not mean a cancelled vacation
Cool weather in the summer months

Cons of a Mountain Home / Vacation

Snow makes driving difficult
If you don’t enjoy active outdoor activities, you could get cabin fever
Not the kind of vacation where parents can relax while children play
Hilly terrain makes outdoor play difficult for kids
May be too secluded (aka “boring”) for kids of certain ages
Bears stealing food from your garbage cans 🙂
Ticks and mosquitos!

Pros of a Beach Home / Vacation

Can be enjoyed really one two seasons per year (spring and summer)
Amazing beauty
Parents can relax (somewhat) while children play on the beach
Unlimited access to swimming in summer (ocean and/or possible house, hotel or condo pool)
Flat terrain makes bike riding easy for kids

Cons of a Beach Home / Vacation

Fall and winter seasons are not so fun
Lots of rain could mean a cancelled vacation
If you don’t enjoy beach activities, boredom could set in fast
May get too crowded
A really hot summer could limit time outdoors
Seagulls stealing food from your backyard BBQ:)
Mosquitos!

What do you think? Which location would you choose?

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