Best Beach Cities/Areas O/T

[PatsFan1283]

Including most of the main ones in CA that are really popular and hugely expensive, what are some of the best beach cities/towns in the US? Also places with jobs/affordability too. Even cities like a 15-20 minute drive from a beach can fit into this category....

You just never seem to hear anything about beaches unless they are in CA or Miami....What about ones in Texas, other parts of FL, NC, Oregon, Virginia, etc..

 

[Fishhead]

Look no further than TAMPA/CLEARWATER/ST. PETE.............tons of beaches with tremendous sand(3x better than Miami).

For a large metro area, you will not find anyplace in America with better beaches in my opinion.

Plus you have professional sports, culture, many casino and pokerroom options, along with the oppurtunity to find many "locals" if you feel the need to wager on sports.

The region is dominated by transplants from the northeast(philly and new york) and the midwest(Iowa and Ohio).

Other then running into the occassional confederate flag waving individuals, a nice place to live.

FH

 

[bigtendominator]

I like the Tampa/St. Pete area.

No real good beach placed in Texas imo.

 

[GoBlue34]

We rented a beach house in the Outer Banks, NC last summer and by far the best beaches I've ever been to.

I would have no problem raising a family in that area either. HIGHLY underrated area IMO.

 

[Samhain]

Hawaii

 

[Fishhead]

Hawaii

\


Expensive

Isolated

No pro teams

Little gambling



NADA

 

[Hookandcrook+]

look no further than tampa/clearwater/st. Pete.............tons of beaches with tremendous sand(3x better than miami).

For a large metro area, you will not find anyplace in america with better beaches in my opinion.

Plus you have professional sports, culture, many casino and pokerroom options, along with the oppurtunity to find many "locals" if you feel the need to wager on sports.

The region is dominated by transplants from the northeast(philly and new york) and the midwest(iowa and ohio).

Other then running into the occassional confederate flag waving individuals, a nice place to live.

Fh

 

[PatsFan1283]

I actually kinda had getting a response about TB/St Pete/Clearwater in mind when I posted. Why is it so affordable to live there when the beaches are so nice? Seems like a hidden treasure of sorts considering that FL is a huge retirement haven...

Also, Sarasota seems nice too, although more for old people....

What about San Padre in TX?

 

[bigtendominator]

I actually kinda had getting a response about TB/St Pete/Clearwater in mind when I posted. Why is it so affordable to live there when the beaches are so nice? Seems like a hidden treasure of sorts considering that FL is a huge retirement haven...

Also, Sarasota seems nice too, although more for old people....

What about San Padre in TX?

I think you meant South Padre, in Texas. If you are talking about San Padre, I don't know where that is. I would not live in South Padre.

As for Tampa St Pete, Florida housing had been relavitely inexpensive compared with others for a number of years. It is probably the most affordable beach area excluding the Carolinas.

I would move back to Florida in a second.

 

[PatsFan1283]

Any opinion on Sarasota BT or anyone else? This isn't for me but a family member BTW.....Although Tampa does sound nice!

Heard FT Lauderdale is nice too

 

[fhmesq44]

The weather is much better in Southern California than Florida. It doesn't rain for about 9 months, isn't humid and rarely cracks "too hot". During the winter you are only a few hours from snow if you want it, only an hour flight or 4 hour drive to Vegas. Take your pick anywhere from Santa Barbara to San Diego, Malibu, Santa Monica, Pacific Palisades, Manhattan/Hermosa Beach, Newport/Huntington/Laguna Beach, northern San Diego County, La Jolla, Mission Beach. All have different things to offer in terms of atmosphere and lifestyle.

Professional sports near all of them if that is what you want.

 

[bigtendominator]

The weather is much better in Southern California than Florida. It doesn't rain for about 9 months, isn't humid and rarely cracks "too hot". During the winter you are only a few hours from snow if you want it, only an hour flight or 4 hour drive to Vegas. Take your pick anywhere from Santa Barbara to San Diego, Malibu, Santa Monica, Pacific Palisades, Manhattan/Hermosa Beach, Newport/Huntington/Laguna Beach, northern San Diego County, La Jolla, Mission Beach. All have different things to offer in terms of atmosphere and lifestyle.

Professional sports near all of them if that is what you want.

FHM,

Everything you said is correct, except that it cost about 500K to 600K more for the same house in Cali.

 

[bigtendominator]

Any opinion on Sarasota BT or anyone else? This isn't for me but a family member BTW.....Although Tampa does sound nice!

Heard FT Lauderdale is nice too

Haven't spent much time in Sarasota.

I like Fort Lauderdale. However, it is pretty congested in Southeast Florida.

IMO, you can't go wrong in either place. Moving from Boston, things will seem much more affordable.

I like Orlando, as you are about an hour from Tampa/St Pete and 45 minutes from eastern Beaches.

 

[fhmesq44]

FHM,

Everything you said is correct, except that it cost about 500K to 600K more for the same house in Cali.

There is a reason for that. However, I took the OP's question as making cost irrelevant to the discussion. Obviously it plays into the decision if one were seriously considering it.

 

[FairWarning]

I live five minutes from Lake Michigan and an hour from Chicago. Ask anyone from Chicago about our beaches. Also like within a hour from five casinos.

 

[viking611]

Tampa area is best in Florida.

 

[PatsFan1283]

Yeah Tampa/St Pete look nice. Clearwater obviously looks nice too, but obviously a bit more expensive. Atleast I think it is..

 

[WorldNumberOne]

Tampa area is best in Florida.

i like cocoa beach.. quiet little town... an hour from everything you need in orlando. tampa is also an hour and very nice .

 

[Samhain]

I live five minutes from Lake Michigan and an hour from Chicago. Ask anyone from Chicago about our beaches. Also like within a hour from five casinos.

I've also heard you can get some good surfing there as well when the wind comes through.

 

[VIEJODINOSAUR]

Jersey Shore in the summer....

Ocean City, Wildwood, Long Beach Island, Asbury Park...the list is long...