Visions of a "small house on the beach" are what keep many people motivated to stay in unsatisfying jobs to get that real estate nest egg or, if they are earning enough, to make a major lifestyle change and move to the beach to work remotely.
Since the start of the pandemic in 2020, nearly 11,000 people from California alone moved to Hawaii for the ocean breezes and remote work.
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While the influx of incomers with Silicon Valley salaries has sent real estate prices in the state skyrocketing at some of the highest rates in the country, there are still a number of places with affordable beach properties in unconventional locations. The Mississippi town of Gulfport topped the list when it comes to the price-value ratio, according to the latest round-up by Realtor.com.
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Sitting along the Gulf of Mexico, the second-largest city of Mississippi has over 26 miles of beachside land and an average price of $224,900 for a property within one mile of a beach. This adds up to $144 per square foot, which is lower than the upwards of $200 seen in the country on average.
While Gulfport is known for the slower way of life characteristic of many sleepy towns outside of major urban centers, the beach attracts high rates of tourists and people from colder climes looking to weather out the winter. Gulfport landed at the top not just for the cheap prices but also for the tourism boost it has been seeing in recent years, according to Realtor.com.
"For years, we’ve had tons of snowbirds who come down here from the North for the winters," local Re/Max (RMAX) Realtor Angelia Clark told the real estate platform. "You can go deep-sea fishing, be on a barrier island, then have a nice dinner at one of our casinos."
While Virginia is better known popular for beach destinations such as Chincoteague and Virginia Beach, Realtor.com selected the hidden Chesapeake Bay town of Newport News for the No. 2 spot precisely for the affordability that comes with being less well known. An average property within one mile of the beach commands $200,000 or $150 per square foot.
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The proximity to the James River will make it perennially attractive for short-term tourists looking for some fishing and water sports, while the entry price is significantly less than many of the million-dollar properties one will find just a few miles away.
"If you're willing to drive a bit, the oceanfront options open up exponentially, including nearby Buckroe Beach," writes Realtor.com. "And 40 miles away, you can hit spectacular Virginia Beach."
Other beach towns landing in the Top Five include New London in Connecticut, Grande Isle in Louisiana and Corpus Christi in Texas. As they all fall outside the most popular resort towns of their state, these towns can offer significantly lower property prices while still retaining the perennial investment potential of picturesque water views and high rates of visitors in the warmer months.
"Despite what you may have assumed, in some places, a home by the beach can cost about the same as an average US home — or less," writes Realtor.com.
