Is moving to the beach a good idea? Pros and cons of living in a beach town (2024)

For many people moving to the beach is a dream come true – cruising the sands, listening to the sounds of the waves, seeing gorgeous sunrises or sunsets, smelling the salty air, engaging in water activities… It seems like paradise.

Living by the ocean, however, is not without its challenges. From boisterous crowds to high maintenance costs, there are a lot of issues you may have never thought about.

So, if you’re considering a move to the Gulf, the Atlantic, or the Pacific, you need to look at both sides of the coin – find out both the benefits and downsides of coastal living so you know if it’s right for you.

Here are the most important pros and cons of moving to the beach to help you make an informed decision.

Benefits of moving to the beach

Many people dream of moving to the beach – and for a good reason:

Mild weather

The abundant sunshine and mild temperatures typical for the coastal areas are among the main reasons why people move to the beach.

The ocean moderates the climate near the coast, so the summers are warm but not too hot and the winters are cool but not too cold. The resulting mild weather is extremely beneficial for one’s health, physical fitness, emotional well-being, and financial situation:

• Exposure to sunlight increases the levels of Vitamin D in your body, boosting your immune system, your energy, and your mood;
• Colds, flu, sinus infections, joint pains, and other illnesses and health issues are less common in warm weather;
• Utility bills are lower in coastal areas as the A/C is rarely needed – there are no freezing temperatures in the winter and cooling the house in the summer requires nothing more than opening the windows to let the cool ocean breeze inside;
• The mild climate results in less hassle and fewer troubles – you don’t need to shovel away snow, winterize your home and your car, or worry about dangerous driving conditions;
• There is no need for winter gear – you don’t need to buy specialized winter equipment and expensive winter wear;
• The nice weather allows outdoor activities all year round – snowfall is rare and the temperatures are mild, so you can be outdoors all year long, practicing your favorite sports and hobbies and engaging in fun activities – for free!

It’s more than enough to make you want to move to the beach and never look back.

See also: Should I move to a warmer climate?

Lots to do

The beach is a lot of fun – and if you choose to move to the coast, you won’t need to travel to get to all that fun. You will be able to enjoy the sand and the water whenever you have some free time – taking walks on the shore after dinner, having your morning coffee with your toes in the sand, etc. Every weekend will feel like a vacation and there will always be something enjoyable to do:

• You can relax on the beach, sunbathe, play frisbee or volleyball, etc.;
• You can watch a magnificent sunrise or sunset, listen to the crashing waves, and observe the birds and sea creatures;
• You can go swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving, water surfing, sailing, kayaking, or fishing;
• You can have a co*cktail by the ocean or dine at a fancy seafood restaurant.

The entertainment options are endless – whether you want to practice water sports, embark on an exciting adventure, enjoy nature, or simply relax, the beach will have something to offer to you.

What’s more, the scenery is breathtakingly beautiful – from the sand dunes to the translucent waves, every view is postcard worthy.

And when you move to a beach town, all that wonderful nature and fun possibilities will be right outside your door.

Better health

One of the greatest advantages of moving to the beach is that it can help you be healthier.

As already mentioned above, the ample sunlight, warm weather, and numerous opportunities for outdoor pursuits in coastal areas have numerous health benefits.

There are, however, many other reasons why living near the beach is so good for the health:

• Fresh sea air (the tiny seawater drops in the air help prevent cancer and reduce cholesterol, while the negative ions in sea air improve oxygen absorption in the body and balance serotonin levels);
• Ample access to fresh seafood;
• Fewer allergens – lower pollen counts, less dust, etc.;
• Slow, relaxed pace of life;
• Natural stress relief – feeling the sun on your skin, the gentle ocean breeze on your face, and the sand between your toes, hearing the mesmerizing song of the waves, and enjoying the gorgeous views will put you at ease and allow your brain to recharge.

All in all, life on the seashore is great for one’s physical condition, mental health, and spiritual wellness.

Good for the kids

Moving to a small beach town could be the best thing for your family – you will live in a safe, healthy, and fun environment and will have a relaxed, healthy, and enjoyable lifestyle.

Your children will be growing up in a healthy environment with fresh air, wholesome food, and plenty of sunshine – an environment that promotes outdoor activities and physical exercise and allows for tons of fun. Your little ones will be able to play at will, explore and learn, socialize with other kids, and engage in all kinds of entertaining adventures.

Besides, with the beach at your doorstep, you will be able to spend more quality time together and bond as a family.

More employment options and opportunities for additional income

In addition to being enjoyable, delightful, and good for your health and your kids, selling everything and moving to the beach could be a rather smart financial decision.

Beach towns operate as vacation hotspots that feature numerous bars, restaurants, clubs, spa centers, sports centers, and other leisure and recreational facilities, as well as a wide range of shops and services. This provides many lucrative business and employment opportunities – moving to a beach town may be your chance to start a profitable business or to find an enjoyable, well-paying job.

Besides, you can easily earn an additional income during tourist season if you have a creative hobby (painting, photography, seashell arts and crafts, etc.), a good seasonal business idea, or extra rooms in your house to rent out.

Even moving to the beach with no money is a feasible option as you can easily make money in a seaside town.

Besides, buying a house near the beach is a great investment – coastal homes have high value simply because they’re near the ocean and you can be sure that your beachside property will keep its value over the years.

Related: Top 11 Reasons to move to Florida

So, there are many good reasons to live at the beach. Yet, it’s not all sunshine and rainbows.

Downsides to living on the beach

As hard to believe as it may be, the challenges of coastal living may cause you to regret moving to the beach:

Crowds

A small beach town may be a peaceful, serene place during the winter, early spring, and late fall, but it becomes a hive of activity in the warm season. Visitors flock in by the hundreds, crowding the beaches, restaurants, and shops, leaving trash behind, and worsening the traffic.

If you live near the beach, you can expect longer lines, heavier traffic, louder noise, and various other inconveniences during tourist season – all the local businesses and beaches will be packed, there will be trash everywhere, parking will be difficult to find (and more expensive), and it will all be very annoying.

Tourists are good for the local businesses, but the place you call home is nothing more than a vacation spot to them and they treat it as such.

Furthermore, when you live on the seashore, friends and family will want to visit as often as possible – and you may not be happy about them using your home as a hotel.

Higher home prices, maintenance costs, and insurance premiums

As already mentioned above, oceanfront properties are very valuable – so buying a home on the coast will cost you a lot. Even renting a place in a beach town can be quite expensive.

Besides, living near the ocean means higher upkeep costs – mainly due to the corrosive nature of saltwater and the havoc that salty air wreaks on wood, metals, and glass. Salt accelerates rust and causes abrasions, so proper home maintenance in coastal areas requires a lot of effort – and a lot of money for repairs and replacements.

Home insurance is also quite expensive because of the beach erosion, increased wear-and-tear, and potential flood damage.

Higher risk of damage

Proximity to the ocean is a great bonus, but it is also a liability.

Seaside homes are at a big risk of flooding and structural damage during tidal surges and violent storms. Hurricanes and tropical storms are common in coastal areas and the big crashing waves pose quite a threat to waterfront properties.

And these are not the only disadvantages of living in a beach town:

• There is too much humidity;
• The UV-radiation from the sun is very harmful to the skin and eyes;
• Sand flies can be insufferable;
• The sand gets everywhere!

See also: Tips for moving to a new state

So, is moving to the beach a good idea? Now that you’re aware of the pros and cons of living in a beach town, you can easily find the right answer for you.