I get the appeal of the "tropical" lifestyle of the Beaches, especially to transplants from inland or colder parts of the country, but, to me, I am fine with getting limited doses of that on vacations. Maybe this is because I was raised here and, like Orlando theme parks, I have had enough beach visitations to last my lifetime

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Between the increasing heat of the blazing sun (like this week), rising oceans, stronger storms and the exposure to same, increasing crowding and traffic on limited highway infrastructure, higher costs of living, insurance and taxes and way more maintenance due to the effects of salt, I would take in-town and on the river or its tributaries any day. To add, if you like substantial lush landscapes and tree canopies and the much more varied wildlife they bring, inland is the way to go

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The bonus in town is the opportunity to have shorter commutes and be closer to more of the cultural, entertainment, sporting, recreational, governmental and shopping venues about the City.
When the "big one" comes here one day or people can't get or afford insurance, no pun intended, the tide may turn pretty quickly.
Today, the real issue is the Beaches have their act together far better than Downtown or the urban core. Nicely landscaped streets, building standards they enforce, vibrant "town centers" or other shopping nodes with quaint stores, lots of good dining options, etc. As noted on our posts before, sometimes it is the little things that count, not hundred million and billion dollar projects.