Any beaches in New England comparable to Venice and its boardwalk?

[jayrandom]

Originally Posted by Shrewsburried

The main strip might remain kitsch, but the immediate neighborhoods behind ... these days ... are extremely pricey and the businesses and general vibe reflect it.

IMO, the only thing which comes remotely close, albeit at a tiny scale, is P-Town during peak season. A mix of transient artists, tourists of all sorts, and some very well heeled seasonal residents.

Hampton beach ain't it. I'd say Portland is closer, but obviously the weather and lack of beach renders it a rather abstract interpretation. It's also super white and lacks a real jobs market like Venice has.

I was focused on the beach part. I had just assumed OP was looking for someone to go on a day trip. I think everyone else is thinking the OP is looking for somewhere to move permanently. Totally different questions.

The beaches kinda sorta reminded me of each other, at least more than any other beach I've been to in New England.

[redplum33]

Originally Posted by GeoffD

Why is that arrogant? New England has nothing like Venice Beach. That’s very bohemian upscale. Trendy restaurants. Galleries and boutiques. Expensive homes. I laugh when I read anyone saying Hampton.

There's also freaks, freak shows, con-men, gangs, homeless, musicians, etc. Very vibrant.

[Lampert]

Originally Posted by el_greco

Crowds of locals and tourists, young people, freaks, innovators, eccentrics, music, art, and so on? Busy feel with exciting energy?

Originally Posted by jayrandom

I was focused on the beach part. I had just assumed OP was looking for someone to go on a day trip. I think everyone else is thinking the OP is looking for somewhere to move permanently. Totally different questions.

The beaches kinda sorta reminded me of each other, at least more than any other beach I've been to in New England.

I don't know if OP is looking for a day trip or not but he doesn't seem concerned about the beach per se at all to me.

[5pyg1a55]

Originally Posted by missionhill

... Malibu where they can pretend they own the beach.

lmaoooo truthiness

[G1..]

Originally Posted by el_greco

Are there any beaches that have a vibe comparable to Venice beach boardwalk in California? Crowds of locals and tourists, young people, freaks, innovators, eccentrics, music, art, and so on? Busy feel with exciting energy?

Hell no.

[5pyg1a55]

No

[GeoffD]

Originally Posted by Shrewsburried

The main strip might remain kitsch, but the immediate neighborhoods behind ... these days ... are extremely pricey and the businesses and general vibe reflect it.

IMO, the only thing which comes remotely close, albeit at a tiny scale, is P-Town during peak season. A mix of transient artists, tourists of all sorts, and some very well heeled seasonal residents.

Hampton beach ain't it. I'd say Portland is closer, but obviously the weather and lack of beach renders it a rather abstract interpretation. It's also super white and lacks a real jobs market like Venice has.

I worked for several LA-based companies over the last decade so I’ve been there a lot. Prices at the beach anywhere in Southern California are in the stratosphere. The houses and businesses reflect that. It’s why Hampton Beach is such a laughable comparison. Venice Beach real estate is north of $1,000/sf. In the epicenter of one of the most prosperous urban centers on the planet.

[Shrewsburried]

Originally Posted by GeoffD

I worked for several LA-based companies over the last decade so I’ve been there a lot. Prices at the beach anywhere in Southern California are in the stratosphere. The houses and businesses reflect that. It’s why Hampton Beach is such a laughable comparison. Venice Beach real estate is north of $1,000/sf. In the epicenter of one of the most prosperous urban centers on the planet.

Next we can debate whether Woods Hole is MA's La Jolla. Or Worcester is MA's Escondido.

The demographics, density, and cultural divide between the Northeast and SoCal makes any of these equivalency exercises entirely useless - IMO. Anyone moving to greater Boston for their career, family, or otherwise should learn to 'love' the redeeming qualities within or stay put in SoCal ... I'd advise the latter.