# Help me find a vacation house?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-find-a-vacation-house/669616>\
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion\
**Created:** [September 25, 2013, 3:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-find-a-vacation-house/669616 "2013-09-25T03:09:16Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![cmosdes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a587f6/32.png) [@cmosdes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmosdes)\
**Post date:** [September 25, 2013, 3:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-find-a-vacation-house/669616/1 "2013-09-25T03:09:16Z")

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I’m looking for a vacation house that:

1. Can sleep 21 people (ages 3 to 83)
2. 8+ bedrooms (preferably all in the same house, but willing to consider houses with guest cottages)
3. Pool (preferably)
4. Cost: less than $12k for the week
5. Within 2.5 hours of a major airport
6. Family entertainment nearby (horseback riding, exploring of some sort [easy hikes, caves, sightseeing], whitewater rafting, canoeing, etc.)

Preferences:

1. Near a beach
2. 6+ bathrooms
3. Bunk room (bunk beds in a room)
4. Pool table/ping pong/air hockey table  
I’ve scoured VRBO and Home Away and haven’t found anything that really matches what I’m after. We’ve been to different parts of the country (Sunriver, OR, Keystone, CO, Outer Banks, NC, Bethel, ME) and would like to make this somewhere new.

Can anyone help?

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**Author:** ![Oakminster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/77aa72/32.png) [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\
**Post date:** [September 25, 2013, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-find-a-vacation-house/669616/2 "2013-09-25T03:38:43Z")

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Nothing specific, but I know there are cabins like that available in the Helen, GA and Gatlinburg, TN areas, likely well within your price range.

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**Author:** ![PunditLisa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/4af34b/32.png) [@PunditLisa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PunditLisa)\
**Post date:** [September 25, 2013, 1:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-find-a-vacation-house/669616/3 "2013-09-25T13:32:28Z")

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Have you considered a lake instead of a beach? I’d opt for Lake Norman in Charlotte, NC

[http://www.propertiesoflakenorman.com/openrealty/index.php?action=page\_display&PageID=5](http://www.propertiesoflakenorman.com/openrealty/index.php?action=page_display&PageID=5)

Here are some 8 bdrm places on the lake:

> **[Lake Norman, Charlotte Vacation Rentals: house rentals & more | Vrbo](https://www.vrbo.com/vacation-rentals/usa/north-carolina/heartland/lake-norman?bedrooms=8-plus)**
>
> Explore an array of Lake Norman vacation rentals, including houses, cabins & more bookable online. Choose from more than properties, ideal house rentals for families, groups and couples. Rent a whole home for your next weekend or holiday.

It’s just north of Charlotte, NC and so you have a big city nearby. But it also has tons of hiking/biking/etc, including the National Whitewater Center, which has a manmade whitewater course, kayaking, ziplining, wall climbing, etc. It’s an awesome way to spend the day with kids:

> **[US National Whitewater Center - Charlotte, NC](https://www.yelp.com/biz/us-national-whitewater-center-charlotte-4)**
>
> Specialties: Outdoor activities, rafting, kayaking, climbing, zip lines, mountain biking, hiking, high ropes, stand-up paddleboard, special events, festivals, concerts, races, group outings, banquets, outdoor leadership, summer camps, team...