[typical_guinea_pig]

I am looking for a home to spend winters in for the next 10 years or so and then move permanently.

Background: I was raised in southern CA near the beach and living in MN for the past 15 years I feel positively landlocked, so I have been trying to get back to the ocean

My husband and I are both 38 but are on track to retire early. After exploring beaches all over the US we both know we love the "Forgotten Coast" and the "Emerald Coast" the most. We are low-key, sleepy-town people, whose idea of a wild night is walking our dogs and then watching something from Netflix, although the husband does like weekly outings to a corner bar to watch sports. I am an artist so existing galleries are a plus, but room to open one is good too! We don't have kids but we don't mind them. We currently have large dogs and we always will.

We are looking for something within walking distance of a beach where we can walk our dogs and explore. We don't need a big house, good job market, good school districts, or hopping nightlife (although we don't mind such things!).

I have searched real estate online, but I am hoping to hear from locals about what real estate is really like . A smaller home within walking distance of the beach, what can I expect to pay? What about lots? Not really interested in a condo because of the dogs issue.

Is owning a "real" beach cottage a thing of the past along this stretch of coast?

Thanks for any help!