Month long trip with kids
 

Hi - Wanted to get some advice from some people who seem to have been "everywhere" on an idea I had. I have three kids who will be 2,6, and 8 and I want to plan a trip for next summer.

My idea is to pick a place each summer where we will rent a long-term place, explore the typical nearby tourist places but primarily try to get the feel of living somewhere else (go to the grocery store, the playground, the kids will take classes or play sports, make friends ...). I love where we live now (Atlanta) but also am always daydreaming about places that are completely different and would love for my family to experience the world starting from a young age.

So far my criteria are: in the US (at least to start while they are so young); not too hot (no 100 degrees); need to be able to rent a condo or small house; and a place where we don't need a car would be nice but it at least needs to not be miles from anywhere as I will be alone with the kids at least half the time while my spouse is back home.

I really appreciate everybody's input. I am leaning towards the West or New England but I'm really open to new ideas. One idea we had was Telluride, Co (looks neat but really expensive?)

Let me know your thoughts and I thank you in advance for any input.

Diane

Wellfleet or Truro, MA (towards far end of Cape Cod). Wellfleet actually has a downtown with small shops. Depending on where you stay you can walk to a beach. There was a few years ago (hope it is still there) an old drive-in movie. Far less mini-gold, arcades, than many places on Cape, but still close enough to all the tourist stuff.

Since there are a num ber of airlines going Atlanta/Boston you can still get relatively cheap airfares for spouse to fly back and forth.

It does not meet criteria of not needing a car - almost any non-city place I can think of in the US would require a car to get much out of your neighborhood, and I am thinking from your post you did not have inner city in mind.

Boston itself might work - you might even be able to get a sublet from a student for the summer - although some student rentals are rundown and gross. Lots of places one can go on public transportation from Boston, although without a sublet, housing would be very expensive for a month.

What month are you planning on?

The "no car" thing is the tough part. Did you mean that you're only going to have ONE car and your spouse will be using it half the time so you'll be carless? Or that you want a place that you can fly to, taxi to your summer home and stay put with everything walking distance?

Thanks for posting your replies ... the "no car" thing is not really a requirement and I guess not practical in most situations. I am able to rent a car and probably will - really wouldn't be safe to take all your kids somewhere and then not be able to drive to the ER or something if needed anyway! It just seemed good in my daydreams (lol). We are thinking of the month of July or June 15 to July 15.

Thanks again.

I'd rent a place on Martha's Vineyard. Second choice would be Newport RI.

I'd suggest the Lake Winnipesaukee area of NH. You would be very close to the White Mountains giving you the best of lake and mountains yet the seacoast would be an easy day trip. Check into classes/day camp programs for the kids at Squam Lakes science center and what Audubon might offer. I would avoid the Weirs Beach area as too congested but there are numerous cottages away from heavy traffic areas.

Duck, North Carolina. Very family friendly, lots of houses for rent (cheap compared to the Vineyard) and also walking neighborhoods. But you would probably need a car. You could drive from Atlanta..?

Lots of options in CO as well, Telluride would not be my first choice. A lot of the ski resorts (Vail or Steamboat) are cheaper during the summer. But again, a car would be a must.

Look into options at the YMCA of the Rockies camp in Estes Park, Colorado. Use that as a base to visit the west.

What kind of budget do you have? You could save some money by going to non-traditional summer resort locations - no matter where you go the car rental is going to be somewhat expensive.

Have you looked into various house-swap companies, considered contacting colleges for faculty requiring house sitters (although I am not sure how they would feel about 3 little kids).

Amelia Island, Fl. That puts you in close proximity to Savannah, Cumberland Island, St. Augustine, some really cool Forts for the kids to explore, etc. You could rent a place in the Old Town if you wanted to walk for dining, groceries,etc. (Although the better stores would require a car) or stay on the beach.