I'm working with some folks with a second home here that live down south. Discussing some design work at party with a friend who does similar work, a third person piped up, "How can they enjoy that commitment(time, $, etc) for just a few weeks?"

The answer is easy. The location for one is the primary factor, all the local trappings, the Maine sea coast, a few memorable afternoons on your porch, that walk around the harbor,....etc. etc.

But that's not the answer. The answer is that feeling and mental picture of the house/boat far away, is a constant state always in the back of the persons mind. That state of mind, and the actual use, is more than worth the investment. Convenience be damned.