Turn every day into a vacation when you move to one of these beach towns and enjoy walks on the beach, endless sunshine, and a laid-back way of life.
The following written content by Elizabeth Rhodes
Ocean breezes, endless sunshine, daily walks along the sand, and a laid-back way of life all entice Americans to relocate to the country’s many beach towns. From charming cities on the California coast to Florida’s popular shores, there are dozens of destinations to consider, so it can be hard to pick one as your new home.
Thankfully, personal finance site WalletHub has determined the best beach towns to live in around the United States, ranking them according to 63 indicators, including affordability, weather, safety, economy, education and health, and overall quality of life. The top 10 ocean towns to live in (listed below) are unsurprisingly concentrated in states boasting ample coastline, like Florida, California, and Hawaii.
WalletHub also looked at data like violent crime rates, water temperatures, nightlife establishments and restaurants per capita, and more to help you make the right decision. And while our list focuses on beach towns near the ocean, the site also rounded up the best lake beach towns to live in (Traverse City, Michigan; Folsom, California; and Redmond, Washington snagged the top three spots, with others in North Carolina, Ohio, and Wisconsin in the top 10).
1. Naples, Florida
Out of 145 oceanside beach towns, Naples, Florida, took the top spot with its unbeatable quality of life and relative affordability. Located on Florida’s Paradise Coast along the Gulf of Mexico, the town offers lots to see and do, including pristine, white-sand beaches and day trips to nearby Everglades National Park.
2. Lahaina, Hawaii
Lahaina, located on the island of Maui in Hawaii, was ranked highly for its quality of life and safety in WalletHub’s study. The town is packed with history, art, and culture, and during the winter, it’s a great place to go whale watching.
3. Boca Raton, Florida
Home to great golf courses, shopping, restaurants, and of course, beautiful Atlantic beaches, Boca Raton really has it all. The town earned high marks for its affordability, weather, economy, and quality of life.
4. Newport Beach, California
Located south of Los Angeles on the Pacific Coast, Newport Beach was among the top 15 cities for health and education and quality of life, according to Wallethub. There’s plenty to see and do across the city’s 10 neighborhoods, including boating, hiking, water sports, whale watching, and more. Read more from Travel & Leisure.
