buying a vacation home???

Fundamental, we were amazed at the level of service in the area we are looking. It is the same as what we have now and with the same carrier.

The phone-and-internet conversation is much different than it was 5 y ago. Check into StarLink and other low-earth-orbit satellite options that may be evolving.
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If you have any T-mobile tower near you, you, it becomes even easier as their hotspot service works quite well, PM for details.

Phobert, yes thank you. Phone and Internet are two of the biggest concerns as she works remotely so we can spend a week or more there at a time. We are looking at vacant land now, as we have found a log cabin builder we would like to work with. Most definitely need to carefully consider all the options when determining what is needed. We say vacation home, but it will be more of a second residence, possibly a permanent residence down the road, so we must figure that into the mix as well.

You'll want to carefully read all the rules and regulations if your preferred property is in an official resort (nudist or just tourist resort) - make sure nothing is outside your comfort zone. And remember that things might be relaxed and/or unenforced now but that could change and impact your future enjoyment of the property.

Then it's just a matter of prioritizing your wish list. Extra bedrooms and enough bathrooms for visiting family or swinger parties? Hot tub or rocking chairs on the porch to enjoy the view? Mature trees to screen the neighbor's view so you can be nudists in your own home? An open concept floorplan so entertaining is easy? Indoor or outdoor fireplaces for comfortable cold weather entertaining? Outdoor dining area that's both near the kitchen and has a suitable spot for a grill and/or smoker? Check storage space - you may need to add a shed for additional storage (kayaks, fishing gear, inner tubes for the river, garden/yardwork equipment and supplies, etc).

Think about how you'll use the property. Will you usually be there alone? Will you have neighborhood parties or swinger parties or family parties? Is there suitable cell phone and internet service available? Are you close enough to grocery shopping and medical care?

That's all I got for now - hope the brain dump helps! ;-)

OneHornywife, yes the property we are looking at has amazing views, and not far from downtown, it is on the Cherokee side of town so closer to the Casino.

Fundamental, thank you for the input I really appreciate it. It does give us something to think about. We do not plan to rent it out when not in use, as we plan on using it. I am retired and my wife works remotely so we could be there for a few weeks at a time. In the house, we have now our oldest son and his family live there as well ( the house is set up for two families). So they would essentially take over that house and we would really just visit there.

The central question is whether you are going to be happy shuttling between two predictable locations. Once you have that 2nd homes, especially if you do not plan to rent it out, you will inevitably feel like going to a third location is an extravagance. You may well be one of those couples who really wants that steady security. If so, the next question is whether you want guests, or alternatively you will be content with sharing/spending time with neighbors. Every couple has a unique answer to that question. If the answer is that you look forward to entertaining guests, it's important to see the destination through their eyes--will they feel comfortable joining you?

Well being in Maggie Valley you are already in a good tourist area. We live close to Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg. Lots of cabins here and plenty of tourists too. We often get contacted by swingers cumming to the area. Big thing would be easy access mountain views and a hot tub.

So we are in a position where we are looking for a vacation home. We have an idea of what we want but looking for others' input as to what you would look for. We know it is ultimately our decision, but sometimes hearing the thoughts of others helps us to see what we really want.

So our options are a log cabin in the mountains in or near a well-visited vacation resort by lots of bikers every year, many of whom are in the lifestyle as well, or a spot in one of the local nudist resorts that also caters well to the lifestyle crowd. Either way, the property would not be rented out when we are not there as we plan on using it a lot.

Just curious as to what most of you would do or look for in a vacation home to entertain other couples.