Summer may have ended, but a fascinating new study suggests you might want to hold on to those beach holiday vibes all year round—or even consider making beach living your everyday reality. Research from The Ohio State University reveals that living close to the ocean could hugely affect your long-term health and even longevity.
Why Living by the Ocean Could Help You Live Longer
We all know that hanging out by the sea can lift your spirits (thanks to feel-good minerals and theories like Blue Mind), and now this study confirms that living within 30 miles of the coast could actually lead to living a year longer than the national average. This golden piece of research pulls from data sourced from 66,000 U.S. census reports and is a perfect excuse to swap city life for a cozy beachside town.
While the popular Blue Mind Theory focuses on the mental and physical healing benefits of being near any large body of water, Ohio State’s insights zero in on the tussle between urban life proximity to the coast. They found that living in bustling cities can have a negative impact on health, even if you’re close to a lake or river.
Things That Make Coastal Louis Hearts Thrive
This study mentions some solid positives about ocean-adjacent lifestyles: milder weather leads to minimal—a.k.a more manageable—temperature shifts, which can slow down aging. Plus, living near the coast improves air quality (hello natural air filters!), while the chance of drought diminishes. Overall, mild coastal weather generally enables folks to be more active and indulge in recreational activities.
This research presents the ideal reason for city dwellers to escape to the ocean more often, but why not embrace the coastal lifestyle all year round? Moving to a beach town means you get to enjoy the ocean’s health perks, too! Just don’t forget that with that lovely seaside life comes some extra costs, like potentially higher insurance for natural calamities and maintenance.
18 Affordable Beach Towns in the U.S. to Consider
Thinking about making the move? Here’s a rundown of some of the most budget-friendly beach towns in the U.S., where median home prices are under $400,000.
- Port Arthur, Texas (Median home price: $107,777)
- Freeport, Texas (Median home price: $133,808)
- Grand Isle, Louisiana (Median home price: $216,240)
- Gulfport, Mississippi (Median home price: $191,232)
- Brunswick, Georgia (Median home price: $240,434)
- Biloxi, Mississippi (Median home price: $218,256)
- Atlantic City, New Jersey (Median home price: $214,764)
- Jacksonville, North Carolina (Median home price: $249,469)
- Bay St. Louis, Mississippi (Median home price: $231,633)
- Ocean Springs, Mississippi (Median home price: $263,480)
- Pensacola, Florida (Median home price: $256,567)
- Aberdeen, Washington (Median home price: $268,573)
- Crescent City, California (Median home price: $363,173)
- Mastic Beach, New York (Median home price: $451,146)
