Interested in Moving to The Beach?

 Davis Flachs

Interested in Moving to The Beach?

Here’s Where to Start.

Miami Beach, FL

So you find yourself looking to move, yearning for the salt, sand, and sea. You’ve come to the right place! Moving to the beach can be a great experience for anyone. Whether you are a young professional or a retiree, there’s a beachtown for you. 

Especially so for young professionals, but also for retirees, renting is more often a better option as opposed to buying.

Step One: Location, Location, Location!

Finding the right location is so important, I needed to say it three times over. The first step is outlining the key things you want in a city or town. Does the charm of Charleston appeal to you? Or do you want the lively atmosphere of Miami Beach? Maybe the active, yet relaxed environment of Destin, Florida? Once you identify what traits you’d find favorable, spend some time researching various places. Your dream town awaits.

Destin, FL

Once you’ve found your town, now you need to choose a neighborhood. Are you interested in living only mere steps from the ocean, or do you wish to be anywhere from a few blocks to a few miles inland? Do you want a bar and a gym right on the corner, or do you want to live in a row of homes, secluded from the rest of the town?

Step Two: The Beach Ain’t Cheap!

It really isn’t. While other cost of living factors vary by region, rent prices on the beach are often sky high. Most beach towns do have cheaper rentals, but the living conditions are half what you could get for the same price even just five miles inland. For a single young person who doesn’t plan to spend much time at home, this can be a good option. For couples, retirees, and those who work from home, you’re gonna want to dig a little deeper into those pockets if you’re eyeing beachfront homes. 

If you’re open to living near, but not on the beach, there are other options which come at a much lesser cost. Living on an inner channel waterway gives you access to the ocean without direct access to the beach, which is wonderful for boat owners and a great way to save on slip costs (which should be factored into rent costs!). Anywhere else in town should have reasonable rent, relative to the state and area.

Common knowledge states that rent shouldn’t exceed 25% of your monthly income. For retired folks, replace monthly income with the amount you have free for expenditures per month. 

If the property includes a gym or other services which would otherwise cost you extra, you can move that spare cash into your rent budget, giving you more leeway.

Step Three: Needs and Wants

This ties in slightly with step one. First, grab a piece of paper and make a T chart. In the left column, write “needs.” In the right column, write “wants.” Now consider the things you need or want your property or area to have. Now, decide which sides they fall into. Some examples may be:

• Wifi/Utilities Included

• Washer/Dryer In Unit or Building

• Gym in Building or Nearby

• Beach Access

• Walk-in Closet

• Distance to Marina/Slip

• Parking Access

• Walkable Community (Some beach towns aren’t walkable!)

• Schools

• Public Transport

• Quiet or Lively Atmosphere

In more lively towns, such as Miami Beach, you’re going to check off more of these boxes than you might in a more elderly community such as Kiawah Island, but it’s all relative to your desires. If a quiet community tucked away from the hustle and bustle of the city is what you desire, a twenty minute drive to the grocery isn’t all that bad.

Beach-Bound and Down!

So now that you’re working out the budgeting, deciding on the location, and figuring out your needs and wants, you’re well on your way to moving to the beach. It’s important to remember what you read here today, and to not let yourself budge or compromise too much on the amenities and features you consider wants and needs too much while still staying true to your budget. It’s better to push the budget a little or keep looking for other options rather than settling for something that’s not really ‘you.’