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My girlfriend and I are currently looking to move to a more coastal location. We'd prefer somewhere within 45 minutes of a beach, An affordable or lower cost of living, Decent job outlook (we aren't big money makers or the like so we'll have to get by like the normal locals do), not too populated, with maybe some decent nearby culture or other available outdoor activities (love to surf, hike, backpack, mountain bike, camp). Also, we hate the cold so the more southern the better.
We completely understand that finding a place like this will be difficult and that we will certainly have to make some sacrifices. We were just hoping that maybe we could find a few places to start looking or considering.
The Charleston SC area would be a good option. It's kind of a booming area right now but not a massive city with lots of sprawl, has a low unemployment rate with a good job market, a fairly low cost of living and weather that's more like what your looking for....especially in winter.
It may not be the best option for you, but Jacksonville is about as low cost of living as possible for a fairly large coastal city. It's got a strong and diverse economy, plenty of cultural activities, decent surfing, and gets below freezing maybe one week out of the year. The only hiking and camping you'd get to do is in the forest and the metro overall is close to 1.5 million. But in the right places it can feel very small and sparsely populated.
Santa Cruz, CA, except I can't imagine there being too many jobs. Mostly just a hyper liberal college beach town.
That's not the most accurate description but it is a beach town and UCSC is there. And yes, liberal.
But Santa Cruz and county are extremely expensive re; housing (whether one is renting or buying) and it's quite impacted now .... over populated.
I would highly recommend Charleston, SC. For a coastal area it's affordable, VERY beautiful, historical, great people, some of the best food in the nation, good economy, LOTS of outdoor activities. We visit there a lot a LOVE IT!
if you really look, you can find a two Bedroom Condo or Apartment in Huntington Beach, CA - Less than one mile from the Beach for about $1800 (there is one available in our Condo Complex Right Now)
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