Whoever said moving overseas is difficult has never looked for the best beach towns to move to. The opportunity to live near water makes many people happy, and luckily, the US has a whopping number of coastal places waiting for new residents. Check out the list to see where you can move and enjoy life as a coastal resident.
What’s the Criteria for Choosing the Best Beach Towns in the US?
It’s not enough for a town to just have a beach. It’s a good start, for sure, but because the US is so big and coastal cities are aplenty, there have to be some criteria for choosing a place to live. We researched where people can relocate on a low budget and still feel fancy, the most suitable places to live with family (with good schools and amenities for each member,) and provide work opportunities.
Is It Best to Get Rentals or Buy a Home?
In most coastal areas, people tend to buy homes more than getting rentals. Some of them, such as Chincoteague, are pretty affordable without making it seem like you’re giving up any luxury or perk. Others, like Carmel-by-the-sea, could make you wish you were a tourist instead. It’s better to check the property options with real estate agents or just refer to social media outlets for recommendations from the locals.
Nags Head, North Carolina
Nags Head is part of a trio of small cities in an area of NC called the Outer Banks. If you think Nags Head is an odd or cool name, wait till you hear the names of the other two – Kill Devil Hills and Kitty Hawk. This town is home to the tallest sand dune on the East Coast, just at the edge of Jockey Ridge State Park. It’s the greatest attraction to go to if you wish to observe the sunset and bask in the ocean view.
There’s no need to move across the world to experience incredible beauty and cheap accommodation. The cost of living in Nags Head is close to the national average, and most people buy homes there instead of renting. It’s considered one of the best beach towns to live in because of numerous attractions that could entertain you year-round, but also because of good education and livability. With Nags Head, adjusting to a new country shouldn’t be so difficult.
There Aren’t Many Residents in This Beach Town, Which Could Make It Dull
The only emphasized downside of Nags Head is the number of residents. Officially, the population of this coastal paradise near the Atlantic is around 2,750, and most of us know small places can make it feel like everyone knows each other (and they often do.)
If you don’t mind living in a tight-knit community with colorful houses and the weirdest restaurant names (honorable mentions – I Got Your Crabs, a seafood restaurant, and Biscuits N’Porn, the restaurant with the biggest biscuit sandwich on the East Coast,) give Nags Head a spin.
Chincoteague Island, Virginia
Full of quaint cottages, wild horses, and a long beachfront, Chincoteague is located in Virginia on an island of the same name; its sister town is called Assateague. The area has hordes of wild ponies who migrate through the channel waters. Once per year, the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Department organizes a pony run called Pony Penning, and many travel to the island to see the event.
When you search the island, you’ll see pictures of wonderful plains and Chincoteague ponies everywhere, but they also have fantastic seafood restaurants and a NASA Visitor Center. Other attractions include:
- Wilderness trails for hiking and bike rides, such as the Seaside Water Trail,
- A 14,000 acres park called the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge (a habitat for migratory and other types of birds with beaches, dunes, marshes, and maritime forest,)
- Fishing charters and guided boat tours,
- Year-round festivals (notably Chincoteague Blueberry Festival.)
Chincoteague and Its Native Residents Can Sometimes Be Conservative
You may end up feeling a slight culture shock because of the colonial houses and buildings that seem stuck in time. It’ll feel like you’re moving internationally through every part of town. That may be interesting, but the locals themselves are used to it and don’t see newcomers as people who need guidance through the area at all. Another thing that may deter people from staying here is the locals’ conservative nature, which could make you feel alienated. However, if you’re generally good with people, there shouldn’t be too much trouble.
The video below is the Pony Penning event documented by the National Geographic team, which will help you get a sense of the culture and tradition of Chincoteague.
Cannon Beach, Oregon
If you stay at Cannon Beach, Oregon, you can keep in touch with friends by taking a photo in front of the rocks known to everyone because of the cult classic The Goonies. Cannon Beach isn’t only an excellent conversation starter but a great place to live, too. The beaches of this small town are riddled with families and dogs, and there’s an abundance of restaurants, museums, galleries, and even breweries to choose from when you need to get loose.
Cannon Beach Is a Locally-Sustained Wonder
One of the most attractive places is the Cannon Beach Hardware – a hardware store that doubles as a taproom where you can eat burgers and seafood. People from Portland travel to this coastal place for a weekend getaway from the big city rush. Generally, the area is filled with tourists throughout the season, but it doesn’t sustain only tourism.
This small Oregon locale is filled with artisan shops and craft restaurants. Interestingly, there’s no sign of a McDonald’s or a Safeway because the local authorities discouraged chain stores from opening up there. They wanted small businesses to contribute to the economy of the place. Packing warm weather clothes for Oregon’s coastal wonder should be on your relocation checklist.
Carmel-by-the-Sea, California
Most likely to be the most aesthetically pleasing coastal place in the USA, Carmel-by-the-Sea (or just Carmel) is California’s gift that keeps on giving. Why consider relocating to Orange County when Monterey has Carmel to boast about? In 1910, a publication wrote that 60% of houses in Carmel were built by citizens who devoted their lives to being connected to aesthetic arts. This is why there’s an abundance of art galleries and quarters dedicated to the arts.
There are many expat communities in California, and Carmel is no exception. Still, most people who settle here decided to travel back to the US and experience life in all its glory. There’s Carmel’s artistic hub called the Sunset Center, the Historic Carmel Mission from 1770, wine tasting and fine dining opportunities, and, of course, the shore and walkable trail.
When In California, Expect Californian Prices
While Carmel surely must be one of the best beach towns in California, it sure costs as one. California isn’t known for its affordability or accessibility, and sadly, Carmel is no exception to that. Homeowners are the majority here, and the average home prices come up to $1,5 million. Yikes, right? Still, if you’ve worked hard and made good money, treating yourself with realty in Carmel will be the icing on the cake and a pretty decent reason to move.
Rehoboth, Delaware
While Rehoboth was voted the #1 place to retire in Delaware, it’s also a fantastic place to relocate with kids. Moving abroad is a thing of the past when there’s a place like Rehoboth to retire and grow a family in. It’s a city on the Atlantic Ocean that graces Delaware’s eastern coast and Sussex county. The current president, Joe Biden, has a vacation home in this charming city, but he’s not the only one loving the vacation options there.
Rehoboth has the safest and highest quality water out of all the coastal municipalities across 30 states. This information must be music to a parent’s ears because everyone wants their children to swim in clean waters and be safe. It’s got a 1-mile long wooden boardwalk adjacent to the shore with restaurants, bars, shops, amenities, and attractions of all kinds.
The Friendliest Coastal City In the US
Another pretty sweet fact about Rehoboth is that it’s the largest LGBTQ-friendly getaway. Many LGBTQ-owned businesses get their monthly check in this municipality and members of this part of the population frequent beaches near Queen Street. Rehoboth Avenue near the boardwalk offers opportunities for making friends with its Bandstand, where open-air music performances happen around 50 times during the season. Don’t miss hanging out with the cool Rehoboth residents on one of the most beautiful family beaches in the country.
Ogunquit, Maine
Ogunquit proudly carries the title of being one of the safest small towns in the US. However, considering its population is 902, it’s no surprise that it feels safer than usual. Tourists still flock to this beautiful place with every chance they get. While it may not provide the feeling of living overseas, it will give you both peace and a vibrant night on the town experience. From Broadway-style musicals to Dueling Divas shows in an entertainment bar, Ogunquit might surprise you with its energy and vibrance.
Ogunquit’s 3-mile coastline of white sand was voted by visitors as the most accessible and most beautiful in all of Maine. Perkins Cove, just at the edge of the Atlantic Ocean, provides entertainment for every age range, from having a picnic on a rocky ridge and watching the waves to booking a fishing trip on a small local boat.
It’s Not a Remote Place, But It’s Small
An overseas shipping company will be more than helpful in reaching Ogunquit, but you have to be certain that this is the place to move abroad for you. The median age there is 61 years, with only 13% of the population between 25 and 45, but surprisingly, there’s an almost perfectly equal number of men and women in the municipality. It’s a place to call home if you wish to spend time relaxing and enjoying maritime activities.
Key West, Florida
One of the best beach towns in Florida, and perhaps the United States overall, is Key West. Located in Monroe County, Key West has been voted as its greatest asset and an amazing place on the coast to settle down. Anyone who wishes to travel here, whether relocating alone or with family, will find something to entertain them. Our advice is not to worry about what to pack before leaving for this city but ensure there’s enthusiasm for settling down in Florida.
Located on an island of the same name, Key West doesn’t let anyone feel they have to leave the world behind to have fun. It combines beaches with park attractions, sports events, museums and art galleries, and fine dining, so there’s something for everyone.
You can head over to the Florida Keys for a fishing trip or hire a party boat to take you out on the ocean and show you what the Florida spirit is all about – fun, sun, and the love of nature. For anyone that doesn’t feel partying’s their schtick, there’s a 200-acre golf course winding through tropical scenery.
Haleiwa, Oahu, Hawaii
Last but not least, you’ll never learn how to live abroad and take everything life throws at you unless you decide to relocate to Hawaii. Shipping overseas to a Hawaiian island may seem like a hassle, but there’s no better way to experience the US beaches than to do it in Hawaii and one of its islands. Haleiwa in northern Oahu is an excellent choice to travel and experience new things before finally settling down.
Relocating for the love of tropical paradise destinations will be the most brilliant idea ever if you decide to come to the Hawaiian cultural hub on the North Shore. The town’s northern entrance is called Old Haleiwa Town, and it’s marked with the historic Rainbow Bridge; just as you pass it, you can see many galleries, local eateries, and shops. To the south, there’s Haleiwa Alii Park, with the most stunning coast.
This small surf town’s history is long, which can be seen by the numerous plantation-era buildings. Because it’s historical and a point of culture, the residents prefer to be laid-back and soak in the sights within the town’s center and outside of it. It’s a surfing paradise, where many athletes come to chase rad waves on the Ehukai, or the Banzai Pipeline, and Waimea Bay.
Choose a New Place to Your Liking and Contact an Overseas Moving Company
No matter where you want to move, Maine, Delaware, or Hawaii, an international moving company will reduce the extra relocation stress by providing moving services, as well as packing service, based on your packing list; other factors can go into the cost, such as if you wish to ship a car overseas or not. Every little part of the move can be covered and taken care of to start your coastal adventure as soon as possible.
Even if there’s stuff you wish to put on hold for a while, a moving company will gladly offer their storage services. Every item would be insured during transport, including your car, while vehicle shipping is happening. It’s only up to you to choose your new destination and book a plane ticket to a great life on the shores.
