Beach Living - Waterfront Central

Living at the Beach

9 Best U.S. Beach Towns to Raise a Family Most Can Afford
Raising a family in a coastal or beach community is becoming a reality for more and more people able to work remotely. If that’s you, today I want to cover a few of the best beach towns in the United States to raise a family. All locations on the list are great for beach lovers,…
9 Affordable Gulf Coast Beach Towns for Retirement
Looking for a place to retire outside of Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, or other first choices? The Gulf Coast –spanning from Florida to Texas is a great option that tends to fly under the radar for most folks. With picturesque views and a temperate climate year-round, cities and towns on the Gulf Coast have a lot…
How to Protect a Car Living at the Beach
Nothing can be worse than the effects of salt and sand on your vehicle if you live at the beach full time or even part-time. Salt exposure is generally pretty noticeable within 20 miles or less from the ocean itself, and even more noticeable 5 miles or less away. As illustrated below, the effects of…
11 Best Vehicles for Beach Living and Driving
Looking to find that perfect vehicle for your beach condo, home, or vacation spot? With all the sand, rain, potential hurricanes, and conditions you’ll experience at the beach some makes and models perform better than others. I personally have one of the vehicles mentioned on this list (so I’m biased here), but today I thought…
Guide: Selecting the Best Tire for Driving on Beach Sand
One of the most exhilarating off-road experiences is driving on the beach. That soft, shimmering sugar sand may cause you to want to transform your car or truck into a dune buggy for the day, but what about the tires? If you’re not sure what tires will hold up or be suitable for this environment,…
5 Cons of Living at the Beach Full Time You Should Consider
For a lot of people, myself included admittedly, the thought of living at the beach full time sounds like a dream come true. After researching this reality and speaking with a family member who recently moved to the beach, I wanted to share a few things to be aware of before you decide to make…

Beach Home Maintenance

How to Clean Windows at a Beach House: 3 Options that Work
If you live on the beach or near the ocean for long enough, you probably noticed your windows tend to turn a milky white after some time. When water evaporates, the salt left behind can cause a milky-white film to form; left uncleaned, salt may even cause damage to window frames and seals—which can cause…
How to Maintain Hurricane Shutters [3 Steps]
Since most hurricane shutters are accordion-style or roll-down style, you need to open them, and clean and lubricate them a few times each year to keep them operational. The cleaning process is similar for all hurricane shutters; if you have shutters that include a track, you will want to add lubrication once everything is clean.…
21 Routine Beach House Maintenance Items for Your Checklist
If you just bought a new home near the coast (or your beach home is even relatively close to the ocean), you should understand that beach home maintenance is absolutely necessary and a bit more involved than your average home. Are beach homes hard to maintain? Homes near the beach are generally more difficult to…

Beach Home Ownership

9 Practical Beach House Improvement and Remodeling Ideas
Need to increase the value of your beach home or simply want a new look? If you are willing to make a few upgrades, you can easily recoup renovation costs if you create a highly sought-after rental. According to iGMS, highly desirable beach house vacation rentals can yield anywhere between $20,000 to $50,000 per year.…
9 Drawbacks of Owning a House on the Beach
It seems more and more people want to own property at the beach these days. There’s just something soothing about being near the ocean. For some, it’s a status symbol, but for others, it’s simply a beautiful place to spend time. Regardless of your motivations, there are drawbacks to beach house ownership that you should…
Buying a Beach House vs Condo: What to Know
You love the beach and want to live nearby. Should you buy a house or a condo? Like anything, there are pros and cons to consider for each, but it may come down to personal preference. In this blog post, I’ll provide a few answers to some typical questions to help you best decide what’s…
15 Tips for Renting Your Beach House to Tourists
Investing in a vacation rental, or deciding to rent out your beach home is pretty hot right now, considering 81 percent of Americans plan to take more vacation this year according to Expedia. Depending on the market and what kind of property you have, this can be a profitable endeavor if you have a game…

Beach Home Accessories

10 Beach Themed Gift Ideas for Retirement
For any beach lover nearing retirement, celebrating with coworkers, friends, and family at the coast is a great way to start this new chapter of life. So why not start with a simple beach-themed gift they’ll love? Choosing a thoughtful gift is a great way to show your appreciation for their hard work. Whether they…
21 Luxury Beach House Decor Ideas (That Aren’t Cheesy)
Want beach home decor that looks luxurious? You’re in the right place. Today I’ll cover how to make your beach house look classy without the overly colorful and cheesy decor you might find at a tourist shop. How to make your beach house look elegant Sticking to natural, organic elements like wood and indoor plants…
Beach House Signs 101 (+19 Cool Ideas)
If you’ve just purchased a beach home, or are simply looking to freshen up the decor, you really can’t go wrong with a beach sign. Whether it’s a personalized welcome sign, a vintage metal sign, or anything in between, it can really add a nice touch. Especially if you plan on having people over. Wooden…
10 Best Amenities for Your Beach House Guests
Owning a vacation rental can be very lucrative. Statistics show that vacation rental income makes up on average about 24% of the owner’s income and it’s a fast-growing industry. If you have a beach house that you want to turn into a vacation rental, there are some amenities that will upgrade your home and impress…
7 Beach House Essentials You Need at the Coast
So you’ve decided to make your dream a reality? There are a few things you need as a coastal homeowner to protect your investment for years to come. My family has owned a couple of homes near the beach over the years, and there are a few nuances I can see we’ve learned the hard…