Seven reasons to love a beach town besides the sand, sun and surf are endless, particularly to locals. Now I’m referring to the natives and the year around locals (not to be confused with the summer, locals) who come to town every year to stay for the season. It’s sort of like having a badge of honor, like an unspoken kind of respect. The kind that makes you feel a sense of pride when visitors tell you how lucky you are to live at the beach.

” If you are lucky enough to live by the sea, you are lucky enough.

There’s something unique, almost nostalgic about the feel of a beach town. It’s not just about the crashing waves or the crisp salty air, it’s about the lifestyle of a beach town. It’s a lifestyle that centers around the beach and  celebrates the benefits of coastal living.

All beach town lovers understands the call and lure of the beach. We all hear it, and feel it stretching over us like some kind of invisible liquid net binding us together in the calm and chaos of  ebb and flow. Some suggest we’re under the spell of a mysterious intoxication. Making the beach a place that sharpens our senses and builds a culture that juggles a perfect combination of work, play and charm, while it waits for the upcoming summer season. 

There are so many reasons to love a beach town. Let me count the ways (or just a few). The drive-on beaches, the boardwalk, the rides, the surfers, the beach music, the big waves, cotton candy, ferry boats etc. Okay, ok… You are getting the visual I can tell.  And did I mention the dialect of Uptalk?

Seven Reasons To Love A Beachtown

1. The Beach. Whether you’re an expert shell collector, sea glass hunter or an amateur surfer, the beloved beach is the destination. It never looks the same, always more beautiful than your last visit. The time of day, the weather, the pull of the tides and the wind all contribute to the constant landscape changes. It never disappoints, compelling you to return as quickly as you can.
2. Fresh Seafood.  Big Box Seafood places, nope, not really. They are pretty scarce in these towns and with good reason, Fresh Seafood is available. And you usually can get the options to dine outside. So yes, it’s a major privilege to live in a seafood town, please don’t hate me for it, I can’t live without it.
3. Water Sports.  Nothing compares to the great fun the sea provides whether its jet skis, paddle boarding, kite boarding, surfing, bonfires, boating, fishing, scuba diving or just riding a float on a lazy hot summer day there’s so many options. Most of a beach town’s recreation revolves around great friends and water fun.
4. Relaxing. Talk about a Win-Win, this is it friends! The beach town vibe is laid back and the places to sit and read are plentiful, not to mention inspiring. And nothing tops a beach walk while listening to the waves break on the shore and taking in the scenic view of the ocean. Whatever you enjoy doing is going to be better with a little sand between your toes.
5. The People and the Culture. The majority of the people who live in beach towns are accustomed to tourist from everywhere vacationing, bringing with them diversity and change and also lots of money to spend. Some of these same tourists ultimately end up relocating their lives and family to be near the beach, contributing to the whole melting pot population. Tourist add to the culture by bringing a culture of what’s important to them and incorporating bits and pieces to the area. You’ll always find an interesting mix of people in a beach town. From all over the world.
6. Entrepreneurship. You’ll find an abundance of people who have a knack for creating, maintaining and developing new businesses. Since most beach towns are away from the larger cities the lure of the coastal lifestyle is a big influence for individuals considering relocation. With these relocations comes talented, motivated people who launch new businesses and projects that adds to the overall good of the community. My past career took me all over the place, traveling was what I did, but some of the most interesting, creative personalities were the ones living on the coastlines. And some of the happiest.
7.  The Summer Holidays.  I bet you thought I was going to say the sunrises and sunsets, didn’t you? Well, those are spectacular and goes without saying, but I’m talking about the 4th of July, Memorial Day, Labor Day, and the first day of spring and summer. The special holidays that we hang on and  tuck away to lift our spirits on a rainy day in the future. The days we gather with our family on the beach to celebrate family, traditions and enjoyment. No other places do summer justice like a beach town.

There are pros and cons about living anywhere, it’s too hot or too cold or not the right opportunities for jobs etc… On and on, but the choice is clear for some. There’s a passion in our soul to be near the sea and will do whatever it takes to remain there.

What about you, got a special place you love? If you’ve been called a beach bunny or a beach bum, you understand the beach town way of life. It’s a lifestyle I wouldn’t trade, would you?

Happy trails
Donna George