- We dedicated over ten years to building our life in New York City.
- Seeking a quieter pace, we relocated to a Maryland beach town in our 30s.
- A mere months into our new life, we found ourselves longing for all the things we had left behind.
For over a decade, my husband and I thrived in the energetic environment of New York City. It was our love story backdrop where we celebrated our engagement and cultivated a wonderfully vibrant life filled with amazing friends, enticing cultural experiences, and a diversity of culinary delights.
Yet, as we hit our mid-30s, the buzz of the city began to drain our spirits. The increasing rent prices had been a thorn in our side, and after another hike in April 2024, we finally had enough.
We made a temporary pit-stop back home with my mom in a quaint beach town in Maryland about a two-hour drive from my childhood home. We had always enjoyed weekend getaways to this picturesque spot to escape the endless city noise. The idea of living there full-time, indulging in serene mornings by the ocean, and embracing a relaxed lifestyle felt like a dream.
So, upon discovering this stunning new home tailored to our desires, we eagerly jumped into the home-buying process.
We believed we were taking a step toward maturity and wisdom—however, less than a year down the road, doubts crept in about whether we had just made a gigantic misstep.
Our Bliss & the Realities of the Offseason
When we signed on our home in August 2024, everything felt just right. We savored being minutes away from the beach, enveloped by lively eateries, outdoor festivities, and spontaneous concerts.
As we settled in during late summer and early fall, we relished cooking dinners in our spacious kitchen, welcoming friends from the city, and savoring the delightfully slow life we envisioned.
We now had the luxury of designing our work-from-home spaces without sheer envy for space—something absent in our cozy 1.5-bedroom apartment.
However, by mid-September, the joy ride became rocky. My go-to taco joint announced its impending seasonal closure, marking the beginning of many local establishments that would only operate on restricted schedules as the temperature dropped.
Come October, we noticed fewer faces on the boardwalk, and November magnified our sense of loneliness—we felt almost like the last residents standing in our area. While there were other full-time locals, they seemed more like retirees detached from the energy.
We had grossly underestimated how drastically seasonal the town would appear. What initially dazzled us morphed into undertones of isolation, as the local vibrancy vanished almost overnight.
Even surrounded by beauty within our walls, the absence of city chaos left us tantalizingly nostalgic for unexpected moments—a casual coffee chat, art openings, spontaneous shows, and bustling culinary spots.
Discovering Our True Priorities
The reality hit me: it’s so easy to fall for a beach town during its vibrant tourist season, but the offseason? That’s when you really discover the essence of living there.
Looking back, I wish we’d rented first to truly experience life here before taking the plunge into homeownership. Yet at that time, buying felt like the smart move; we were aging and wanted to establish equity rather than dance to a landlord’s whims.
But we were hasty and overlooked what means the most to us: being involved in a creative community, finding eateries and entertainment within walkable distance, and relishing stimulation in our everyday spaces.
The summers here are quite lovely, but as soon as interest rates take a dip, we’ll be putting our house on the market. Philadelphia beckons next, and we’re excited about the prospect of vibrant, walkable neighborhoods just waiting for us.
This may not have been the forever home we envisioned, but floor plans can evolve, and we’re just thankful for the lessons learned about our true desires from a living situation. Next time, we’ll be sure to savor the seasons fully before committing.
