Are you ready to turn your life upside down in 2023? If so, why not consider a move to the coast? With its unparalleled beauty and tranquility, the coast offers the perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of city life. And we’ve got you covered with our carefully curated list of the 12 most breathtaking coastal destinations, stretching from the sun-drenched beaches of the Gulf to the majestic shores of the Great Lakes. Each of these soulful and sandy spots promises a unique experience that will leave you longing for more. So why wait? It’s time to pack your bags and start your happily ever after by the sea.
New Buffalo, Michigan
If you’re searching for proof of a Great Lakes superstar, look no further than New Buffalo. This idyllic township with a population of only 1,433 has managed to lure Californians away from their world-renowned coastline to build their homes, businesses, and families. Situated just 70 miles from Chicago on the eastern shore of Lake Michigan, near the Indiana Dunes, New Buffalo’s allure for urban escapees is stronger than ever. The pandemic has caused an influx of residents, leading to a surge in real estate prices and a fresh wave of civic improvements. These include a new boardwalk across the dunes, a STEAM building for the highly-rated school district, as well as new shops and renovated boutique hotels. One Californian even remarked that the view of Lake Michigan’s cerulean waters is just as breathtaking in January as it is in July. So why not join the ranks of those who have discovered the magic of New Buffalo and experience its charm for yourself?
Vero Beach, Florida
The essence of carefree living and happiness is embodied in the broad, sandy shores of Vero Beach. Located on Florida’s Atlantic Coast, just a 90-minute drive north of Palm Beach, this small city with a population of 16,707 is surrounded by citrus groves and boasts both highbrow art museums and lowbrow driftwood beach bars. Despite its diverse offerings, Vero Beach retains its small-town charm. Whether residents are enjoying the beachfront from their homes or taking in the scenic Indian River Lagoon from a dock, they all seem to share a sense of contentment and ease. From snagging a dinner reservation to finding a parking spot downtown, there is no need to worry about anything in this laid-back haven. Vero Beach exudes an atmosphere of low-key happiness, where the only rule is to enjoy life without any worries.
Bandon, Oregon
With 363 miles of near-empty beaches flanked by dramatic bluffs, it’s easy to argue that the entire Oregon coast is among the best places to live on the Pacific coast, especially as California endures increasingly frequent and severe wildfires. While there are no bad choices between Cannon and Gold Beach, it’s the charming town of Bandon, population 3,285, that stands out this year as a Cinderella story (earning a spot on USA Today’s list of top 10 small coastal towns in America). Bandon’s artistic community is a major attraction, with the Washed Ashore organization using recovered ocean waste to create public sculptures of marine life and raise awareness about environmental issues. A world-class golf resort adds an alluring layer to the traditional Pacific Northwest recreational menu of hiking, biking, and beachcombing. The icing on the cake is Bandon’s year-round moderate climate, making the Oregon dream a reality for all who live there.
Pass Christian, Mississippi
Small is indeed beautiful and charming in the town of “The Pass,” located on a peninsula in the Mississippi Sound on the Gulf Coast. With a population of only 5,687, this town is known for its historic cottages, moss-draped Spanish oaks, and picket fences. “The Pass” has a rich history as a retreat for New Orleans society, earning the moniker “the Newport of the South” for a time. However, its fortunes have risen and fallen with the paths of hurricanes. Thanks to increased climate resilience planning and careful rebuilding since Hurricane Katrina in 2005, “The Pass” now stands as a gleaming and sweet place with affordable real estate, making it an ideal location for raising a family (its schools are among the best in the state). Here, residents can embrace the true Gulf lifestyle of strolling, kayaking, crabbing, boating, and birding while enjoying the pleasures of tidy, gracious little porches. There is nothing more beautiful-or quintessentially Southern-than this charming coastal town.
Ocracoke, North Carolina
For those whose forever dream is to live on an island, Ocracoke Island is the ultimate choice. This slender strip of sand and scrub, located at the southern end of the Outer Banks, can only be accessed by ferry across Pamlico Sound. Despite facing pirates and hurricanes for the past 500 years, Ocracoke Island (population 767) has managed to retain its charm. Its compact village borders the island’s lively harbor, and it feels delightfully lost in time, with sandy lanes shaded by arching oaks and lined with shingled cottages. But the real star of the show is the beach. The island boasts 16 glorious, undeveloped miles of beach, including Cape Hatteras National Seashore and Ocracoke Lifeguard Beach, which was named the Best Beach in America by Dr. Beach in 2022. It is a timeless oasis, perfect for walking, surfcasting, and beachcombing. With a 20-mile-per-hour speed limit in town, Ocracoke Island is the ideal place to slow down and welcome vacationers arriving on the ferries. And when they depart, residents can happily reclaim their peaceful island paradise. It’s no wonder they call it Ocracoma.
Laguna Beach, California
Forget the reality shows. This Southern California gem, spread across seven miles of tawny coves and tumbling hillsides, has been a star since the late 19th century, when artists first flocked to paint its landscapes reminiscent of the French Riviera. The singular beauty of Laguna Beach has been closely tended by its 22,795 residents, who have staunchly preserved open spaces, limited growth, and maintained a charming village center-all while keeping a sense of its bohemian roots (including its own college of art and design). Beyond its dreamy postcard feel, the city has implemented a bulwark of initiatives, including being a smoke-free/single-use-plastics-free city, water conservation efforts, and even a herd of goats to tend to fire-prone grasslands as part of its wildfire mitigation program. These initiatives help to preserve the future of Laguna Beach. The data agrees: WalletHub ranked Laguna Beach America’s No. 2 best beach town to live in for 2021. It seems the artists knew best all along.
Kiawah Island, South Carolina
For avid golfers, Kiawah Island is a sporting paradise, boasting seven award-winning courses, including five that are open to the public. This private community, with a population of 2,364 full-time residents, is a golfer’s dream. But Kiawah Island is much more than just golf. It is a barrier island flanked by 10 miles of perfect sand facing the rolling Atlantic, carpeted with scrub forests of palmetto, oak, and magnolia, and driven by the bird-luring Kiawah River. The island’s natural beauty is a major draw for pandemic-inspired relocators looking to live the good life. Kiawah Island is already home to a robust shopping village and over 30 miles of paved biking paths. A new, state-of-the-art medical facility is set to open in late 2023, making island living easier and healthier than ever. No matter what your golf handicap, Kiawah Island is a natural Eden waiting to be explored.
Apalachicola, Florida
Road trippers in the know have always known about this under-the-radar gem in the Panhandle: the best oysters, coolest shopping, and miles of pristine, little-trodden beaches are just a quick drive away. Now, it seems that this perfect weekend getaway has lured seaside lovers to claim a forever home. And it’s no wonder why. Apalachicola, a historic Gulf of Mexico port established in 1831, sits in a rich estuary that includes Scipio Creek, the Apalachicola River, and Apalachicola Bay. This ecosystem has been attracting settlers with its abundant seafood for centuries, and it still surrounds a cluster of 19th-century buildings and tidy streets with a beautiful landscape of greens and blues year-round. Additionally, the inherited meaning of Apalachicola as “land of friendly people” has never felt more accurate. Despite the pandemic, the city’s 2,580 residents have doubled down on their sense of community and even launched a new music festival from spontaneous porch-front jam sessions during that stressful time. This spirit of camaraderie has created a haven for entrepreneurs, artists, fishermen, and retirees alike. Apalachicola is a place where newcomers are made to feel as welcome as a Gulf breeze.
Bar Harbor, Maine
Looking for a vacationland that’s perfect year-round? Look no further than Bar Harbor, one of the nation’s oldest and most cherished seaside resort towns. Originally a gateway to the broad granites, pebbled beaches, and fir-studded landscapes of Acadia National Park, Bar Harbor has long attracted seasonal visitors. Last year, USA Today named Bar Harbor one of the top 10 coastal small towns in America, noting that the town’s strengths-stunning terrain, crisp air, clean (albeit chilly) water, and a lively mix of sailors and lobstermen-could sustain the soul year-round. Despite its tourism and wilderness roots, Bar Harbor’s 5,159 residents have access to a world-class biomedical research lab, creating employment opportunities beyond the hospitality industry. Now, a new development of local housing offers increasingly affordable options for those coveted jobs. It’s easier than ever to achieve that year-round vacation in Bar Harbor.
Kihei, Hawaii
Discover the Maui surprise: a walkable Hawaiian town with epic sunset views and home prices below a million dollars. That’s the magic of Kihei, which was developed in the 1970s as a second-home spot with condos and smaller houses-a nostalgic footprint that has resisted the massive uptick in price and development elsewhere. Today, that means a place where all 21,531 full-time residents can walk the beach, walk to coffee, walk to the farmers and crafters market, and surf and swim in a small-town vibe. Kihei’s resort community of Wailea, with its three golf courses, ups the luxury ante. Meanwhile, the exclusive Miikena Golf & Beach Club community raises it even further with its expansive cottages and villas. So trade up if you like, but meanwhile, the rare, old-fashioned magic of Kihei town endures.
Havre de Grace, Maryland
If you’re looking for a state of grace, Chesapeake-style, look no further than Havre de Grace. Nestled at the lively meeting of the Susquehanna River and the Bay itself, Havre de Grace offers a slower pace of life for its 14,873 residents. While lively Baltimore is just 45 minutes up the road, life here on the water slows to a stroll. Walkable pleasures are right at hand, whether among the city’s compact historic downtown or along its three-quarter-mile waterfront promenade. Nautical pleasures abound as well, from kayaking and paddle boarding to cruising and fishing straight from its bustling little marinas. Havre de Grace is opening a new, vibrant chapter, having taken three formerly industrial waterfront acres and re-wilded them with native plants and a new natural storm water filtration system into a living shoreline. At the center of it all, the bright white Concord Point Lighthouse adds the perfect Chesapeake grace note.
Barnstable, Massachusetts
Barnstable, the largest town on Cape Cod (population 49,583), offers New England’s best balance of beach and village, vacation and real life. Boston magazine named Barnstable one of its top places to live in 2022. The town boasts many riches: the village of Hyannis has not only the Kennedy compound vibe but also Barnstable’s central business district; West Barnstable is home to Sandy Neck Beach (considered one of the Cape’s best strands); Cotuit and Osterville are beachfront residential enclaves; and Centerville has a youthful, family-focused vibe. With 100 miles of coastline and 182 lakes and ponds, plus salt marshes, historic districts, and lively little public libraries (one in every village!), Barnstable offers something for everyone. It’s the forever “it” town that dots every ‘I’ and crosses every ‘T’.
