Oceanfront Fun: The five main beaches in this historic town have 24 access points. Consider moving to the St. Augustine area and south of Jax if you prefer a 5-10 minute beach drive with more affordable single-family housing options. Merritt Island is also an extremely affordable place to livea win for all parents. Best places to raise a family rank: #2,599. The suburban atmosphere and convenient proximity to cityamenities make this coastal spot along the western shore of Lake Michigana great location for raising afamily. All About the Salt Life - 9 Best Beach Towns to Live In America This Chicago suburb along the banks of Lake Michigan is something of a tourist attraction thanks to the three Frank Lloyd Wright homes within its borders. Visitors can't resist Manhattan Beach's laid-back vibe,sandy shores,and sunny skies. Visit These 15 Destinations in the African Diaspora, Best All-Inclusive Resorts for Families in Mexico and the Caribbean, Great Explorations Houghton-Wagman Children's Museum. The outdoor waterfront garden adds to the kid appeal. Mount Rainer is also about 50 miles away, so you really cant go wrong as a beach or mountain lover. Tampa. Best Places to Live on the East Coast | Stacker Best places to raise a family rank: #1,343. Out of the 150 most populous metro areas in the U.S., we looked at coastal spots where locals love spending time on the beach. Best Places 2023-2024 Rank: 5Metro Population: 824,160Median Home Price: $387,630Average Annual Salary: $49,760. Median home price: $690,804 (Zillow) The best places in the U.S. to live by the beach are: Los Angeles Miami Corpus Christi, Texas Santa Barbara, California San Diego Fort Myers, Florida Salisbury, Maryland Port St. Lucie,. Key Biscayne is a gorgeous coastal town just a short drive over the Rickenbacker Causeway from Miami. Mercer Island is beloved for its mild climate, exceptional public schools, and excess of outdoor activities. Best Places 2023-2024 Rank: 37Metro Population: 401,541Median Home Price: $291,778Average Annual Salary: $49,170. Wikipedia. Brunswick offers lowcountry living at an affordable price plus the small town charm of a coastal Southern city. Plano, Texas . Clearwater. Consider a few of these beachfront communities along Long Island. We've put together a list of eight of the best beach towns for families. And Coligny Beach Park, which has a splash fountain, also stands out for its shallow, calm water. Recently renovated, the inn has a Bedtime StoryHotline, loaner beach toys, and a "music" lounge. Inland Hot Spots: Spend a morning at Turf's Up, a sports complex specializing in simulation technology; your kids can practice soccer, baseball, and more. Check out The Sandbox, a children's museum with a pretend plane, bank, and supermarket caf; it appeals most to kids 8 and under. Born and raised in eastern North Carolina, I absolutely love spending time with my wife at the beach, lake, or just relaxing in the hot tub after work. Stop by Fort Morgan, where kids can see real cannons and learn about Civil War history. If beach vibes are more your thing, just know that housing near Jacksonville Beach starts in the millions, but plenty around the Jacksonville metro in general. Its also home to many retirees, which contributes to the metro areas median age of 47.5 years. Best places to raise a family rank: #2,522. By Devon Thorsby | Edited by Dawn Bradbury |. The 25 Best Places to Live on the East Coast in 2023-2024 The area boasts plenty ofoutdoor activities for active families, including Crandon Park and Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park, a nearby coastal barrier reef, and an underwater archaeological trail. Good for Families. Best places to raise a family rank: #2,703. Nearby attractions: Pensacola Childrens Museum, Pensacola Lighthouse and Maritime Museum; Admiral Fetterman Field, home to the Pensacola Blue Wahoos, minor league affiliate of the MLBs Miami Marlins. That means you'll have a washer/dryer, family room, hot tub, and kitchen for cooking when you're not hanging out at one of the property's restaurants or grabbing a bite in town. Looking to bring your home's aesthetic into the new season? Or stay at the cozy Beach Breeze Inn, located just 100 yards from Surf Drive Beach, where your rock-and-shell collector will be in heaven. Salisbury,. Some parts of Los Angeles, like Venice, do touch the Pacific Ocean, though other cities in the metro area are better known for their relation to the sea Santa Monica, Malibu, Long Beach and Redondo Beach are just a few. Its one of the cleaner beaches in the area and a pretty laid back spot most of the time: The Beach Pavillion in Southampton is a local favorite currently under renovation, but if youre looking for more to do, there are some great restaurants in the Hamptons. One thing to know is Port A is a pretty big spring break destination being close to nearby Corpus Christi and has been growing tremendously since the COVID-19 pandemic. "Driessen Beach and Islanders Beach parks are particularly good choices for families because they also have playgrounds and picnic shelters," says Steve Riley, town manager. The 25 Best Affordable Places to Live in the U.S. in 2023-2024, Why Green Bay, Wisconsin, Is the Best Place to Live in 2023-2024, The 25 Best Places to Live on the East Coast in 2023-2024. The median home price in Oxnard is under $700,000 at the time of this post, which is pretty affordable by California standards. and rules prohibiting neon signs and buildings over five stories tall, Hilton Head has retained its Southern charm. The affordable housing, low cost of living, high-ranked public schools, thriving economy, and public safety helped it earn the top spot on the list. 50. Tourists cant resist activities like zip-lining through the coastal canopies or boating to the scenic Ship Island. Best Places 2023-2024 Rank: 132Metro Population: 422,194Median Home Price: $277,169Average Annual Salary: $47,950. Both outdoor attractions exemplify the easy breezy California lifestyle that attracts millions of residents and tourists. If youre like me, being 10 to 15 minutes away from a great beach is ideal to avoid dealing with heavy traffic during peak season; but it depends on your preferences! The 10 Best Places To Raise A Family In Florida For 2022 - HomeSnacks Lakewood Township, New Jersey. In doing so, youre agreeing to the below guidelines. Just think: You can take the kids out for a canoe paddle around the lake, or build sandcastles on the beach anytime you want. The sunshine state offers low housing costs, fantastic schools, and low-cost living. Kids ages 7 to 12 can earn a Junior Ranger badge at Silver Strand on Saturdays. The seaside resort city is home to seven miles of coastal coves and beaches, a thriving artist community, and in excess of 20,000 acres of protected wilderness. Nope, not that St. Louis. You get free breakfast daily, an outdoor pool, and a full kitchen. When it comes to housing costs, these metro areas allow your paycheck to go further. But for people raising kids, This South Bay community is more than a charming downtownand great surf: The suburb features a superior public school system, high level of safety, and overall healthy lifestyle for its residents. Nearby attractions: Seaside Beach Volleyball Tournament, the worlds largest amateur volleyball tournament! A booming tech scene and bottomed-out inventory have the Bellevue housing market holding strong. 2023 Best Places to Raise a Family in Orange County - Niche Best places to raise a family rank: #1,912. Between the colorful downtown scene and chilled out local beaches, Hermosa Beach has plenty of appeal for visitors and residents. While you'll probably spot tiny ocean critters, sea-turtle nests, or even dolphins at any of the beaches, Driessen Beach's wooden boardwalk actually takes you over a tidal marsh and sand dunes, so it's home to the most creatures. The 9 Best U.S. Beach Towns to Raise a Family - Waterfront Central Backing up to Folsom Lake, Folsom has miles and miles of jogging, biking, and hiking trails along the lake and American River. Here Are The 8 Best Cities In Delaware To Raise A Family Southampton may not exactly fit the budget, but nearby Mastic Beach could be the perfect place to land. The only West Coast contender, Aberdeen, is located at the mouth of Grays Harbor, formed by the Chehalis, Wishkah, and Hoquiam rivers in Washington. The cost of living in Kirkland is higher than some of the other locations on this list, but its still a great value when you consider that your family can easily access all the best Seattle has to offer. Start a (sand) bucket list. Opelika, Alabama. The kids will love watching airplanes take off and land. distribution partner, email us at 64 Whether your family is sporty, nerdy, lazy, foodie, or all of the above, you are sure to love one of our picks for best beach towns in Florida. Honolulu ranks as the No. Those inclined to quieter pursuits may prefer to lounge on the white-sand beaches, hit the links on a championship golf course, or take a sunset sail on a schooner. Anna Maria Island, Florida. If youre looking for a lot of amenities like soccer fields, pools, and other courts, this is a good one to consider. Oceanfront locales with good weather and sunny vibes fill up fast. Provo, Utah - Population: 113,538 Located just under an hour south of Salt Lake City, Provo offers families a suburban lifestyle with an affordable cost of living. School-age kids will have a blast at the Coastal Discovery Museum, which offers scavenger hunts, costumes, and a butterfly exhibit. Castles in the Sand: Located on Old Silver Beach, the Sea Crest Beach Hotel offers kid-friendly arts and crafts (on certain days) plus great beach access. You can enjoy maritime festivals and several golf courses. The Best Places To Live On The Coast In The South - Southern Living Oceanfront Fun: St. Pete Beach is the closest town to Fort De Soto Parkhome to miles of lifeguard-patrolled white-sand beaches along with nature trails, fishing piers, a fort, and playgrounds, as well as kayak and bike rentals. [emailprotected]. (Getty Images). The town offers ample fishing opportunities, including charters and tours, and the Brazoria National Wildlife Refuge, comprising 40,000 acres of wetlands and a huge variety of flora and fauna. Manhattan Beach, California. Ocala. If youre considering property on or near a beach community, be sure to check out my post 9 Drawbacks of Owning a House on the Beach. Median home price: $776,418 (Zillow) As one of the best-rated cities for families in Fresno . This coastal city has all the beachy appeal of nearby San Diego but with a quieter pace. This historic city in Miami-Dade County was one of the nations first planned communities. Castles in the Sand: The Westin Hapuna Beach Prince Resort offers a family-friendly pool and cultural experiences, including hula lessons, chanting, and lei-making. Inland Hot Spots: Hit the trails at the free Ashumet Holly Wildlife Sanctuary. LIST: Help Maui Fire Victims: Here's Where You Can Donate New Haven, Connecticut. Which metro area would be the best fit for your family? republish under a Creative Commons License, and we encourage you to Virginia Beach. With a population of around 970,000, San Jose remains the Bay Area's largest city and now ranks 12th nationwide. The only thing this Milwaukee suburb lacks is good, year-round weather. Please contact each hotel and attraction for up-to-date rates and information before taking your trip.) Whether you're looking to retire, start a remote job in a beautiful, sunny destination, or raise your family by the water, many of us dream of moving to the beach for a year-round vacation and warm winter climes. The 50 Best Small Towns In The South 2023 - Southern Living The lovely Florida weather and top-notch public schools are hard to beat. 1. Plus, the city is home to numerous festivals, parades, and other celebrations year-round that keep its residents close. Since most are married couples starting a family, most on this list have affordable single-family housing and good school districts. San Ramon, California. Nearby attractions: TIAA Bank Stadium, home of the Jacksonville Jaguars; Jacksonville beaches; Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens. Many locals vacation at Carolina Beach, and its close enough to Wilmington to provide the entertainment youd expect. Castles in the Sand: The beachfront Congress Hall offers free towels and lounge chairs oceanside for hotel guests. Tourists flock to the Santa Monica Pier and Third Street Promenade year-round, and it's easy to see why. Clover raymondclarkeimages/Flickr Clover can be called the All-American town. It is a tourist destination located south of Myrtle Beach. Radford. This relatively small metro area of just 482,922 people grew by 3.4% between 2020 and 2021 due to net migration alone, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Inland Hot Spots: The Mauna Kea Beach Hotel has a fantastic luau for families every Tuesday and Friday. Thankfully, you don't have to shell out half a million dollars (or more!) Nearby attractions: Riverside Theater; Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge. Best Places 2023-2024 Rank: 16Metro Population: 1,581,680Median Home Price: $348,852Average Annual Salary: $51,910. But not every beach town is great for kids. The Port Aransas Independent School District has about a 10:1 student to teacher ratio, one of the better school districts in the state. The most popular public beaches in the Savannah metro area are on Tybee Island, and other nearby destinations include the Wassaw National Wildlife Refuge and Ossabaw Wildlife Management Area on Ossabaw Island. At more than 530 square feet, Omni's Studio Suites are about one third larger than others on the island, and include a kitchen area with a mini fridge, a microwave, cabinets to store snacks, and a dining table. Parents: just don't forget to order an Orange Crush from the bar just about anywhere you goit was invented in Ocean City. Best Places 2023-2024 Rank: 15Metro Population: 601,573Median Home Price: $217,400Average Annual Salary: $54,360. It takes more than 31.5% of the areas median annual household income to cover living costs, including mortgage payments, rent, property taxes and utilities. Carlsbad has all kinds of family-friendly attractions, from Legoland to a skate park. That vibe may not last long, however. These places offer access to the ocean, sand and sunshine. The Best Places to Live for Families in the U.S. in 2023-2024 These metro areas meet the most important criteria for families looking to relocate. 6. Best places to raise a family rank: #1,611. This planned community in Los Angeles County was designed by the famous Olmsted brothers, whose father Frederick Law Olmsted, Sr. designed Manhattan's Central Park. The cities also had to have a population of at least 12,000. your CMS. Locals and visitors alike let the good times roll in two entertainment districts. Alameda, nicknamed the City of Homes and Beaches, has historic buildings dating back to its settlement in 1853 and lovely nearby beaches. After a day outside, stop into one of the towns many coffee shops for a pick-me-up. Raising a family in a coastal or beach community is becoming a reality for more and more people able to work remotely. 11 on the Best Places to Retire list, Sarasota comes in at No. Between Lake Sabine, Sea Rim State Park, and Pleasure Island (a manmade island and entertainment hub), aquatic activities abound, including windsurfing, fishing, and boating. Beach cities in the U.S. cant be mentioned without a nod to Miami. New Smyrna Beach, Florida. Eden Prairie may not border a single, large body of water; but it is located near more than 10 small lakes. Daytona Beach is a pricey place to live, however, with residents spending 25.38% of the median annual household income on housing costs. Public health is also exceptional here. Walk the boardwalks, hike the trails, or take a car tour of the preserve. 2023 Best Places to Raise a Family in Myrtle Beach Area Its residents value education, as 46% have a master's degree or higher and 31% have a bachelor's degree. Santa Barbara is just a little way up the coast from LA, offering plenty of seaside options to live and relax without the same crowds. Melbourne, Florida. Miami is the fourth-most expensive place to live on the Best Places to Live list, following San Juan, Puerto Rico; Los Angeles; and San Diego. It does have a top-rated elementary school if you have young children, and less than 4 miles from Eugene Ashely High School just south of Wilmington. This quaint town just north of Portland, Maine, scored well on economic health and public safety, making it attractive for parents. On the eastern coast of Florida, the city of Port St. Lucie doesnt have beachfront, but Hutchinson Island within the metro area attracts tourists to its beaches and many of them appear to be more than happy to stay nearby long term. On the property, Loews offers dive-in movies, pool games, marshmallow roasts, and summer camp sessions. Try your luck in Biloxi, a Gulf Coast city known for its casinos and coastal cuisine. Median home price: $458,801 (Zillow) Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Fort Mill Beaufort Newberry Spartanburg Bluffton Moncks Corner Columbia If you live in the greater Columbia and Charleston area, your family has some of the best of what South Carolina offers based on our criteria. Here Are The 15 Best Cities In SC To Raise A Family - Only In Your State Best Places 2023-2024 Rank: 18Metro Population: 478,654Median Home Price: $351,681Average Annual Salary: $40,470. You may like the climate of Southern California, but the crowds in Los Angeles may not be for you. But what are the shore bets? If youre a beach lover, you can enjoy nearby Ponquogue Beach. This Orange County city has pristine beaches, community golf coursesand tennis courts, and blessedly sunny weather.

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