Four Relatively Affordable Beach Towns

A lot of beach towns are priced out of reach for the average retiree, but here are four relatively affordable (and livable) towns with a median home price below the national median, which is currently $410,000 or so.  The median price means that half the homes are less than the median price and half are above it.  

Pass Christian, Mississippi

Along the Gulf of Mexico, Pass Christian is a friendly little place where time here seems to flatten as hours and days drift into one another. The pretty harbor is home to shrimp and oyster boats, and every April the blessing of the fleet brings out a sizable crowd. The town’s War Memorial Park is the centerpiece for a farmers’ market, as well as a variety of art and jazz festivals. Mardi Gras draws regional visitors. Inland neighborhoods have a rural feeling with historic homes and tall oak trees, while most waterside residences – many large and beautiful – sit atop stilts. Beach Boulevard sits between town and the long the powdery white sand beach, which is often uncrowded. Median home price: $295,000.

Deerfield Beach, Florida

About 15 miles north of Fort Lauderdale on the southeastern Florida coast, Deerfield Beach was named for the deer grazing in its fields. Today, the city attracts sun worshippers but not in the numbers seen by some of its neighbors. Downtown is busy with a mix of tall glass office buildings, chain restaurants, banks, parking garages and the like. Restaurants are in good supply and menus include everything from BBQ to Italian.  Housing stock includes modest ranch ramblers, Mediterranean styles and a lot of condominiums (waterfront and inland).  Clean and white, the one-mile-long beach is award-winning.  Median home price: $300,000.

Galveston, Texas

Spread across two barrier islands on Texas’ eastern Gulf Coast, Galveston is a funky, slightly faded town with a history as a Mexican port and a gaming resort.  The Strand, the historic downtown area, has a wide variety of galleries, restaurants, and shops. The 10 mile seawall is an excellent place to jog, walk, bird watch and fish. Mardi Gras, the Wild Texas Shrimp Festival, an art center, a professional acting company symphony orchestra and more keep locals active.  The Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier and neighboring boardwalk are full of amusement rides, touristy eateries and kitschy souvenir shops. Housing comes in all shapes and sizes, from waterfront stilt houses to inland cottages. The 32 miles of beaches are long and narrow, with different vibes along the way (concerts and volleyball to quiet hiking). Median home price: $375,000.

Stuart, Florida

Friendly Stuart sits on southeastern Florida’s famed Treasure Coast and was once a pirates’ hideout. Today it has a thriving fishing culture and is known as the “Sailfish Capital of the World.” Tourists come to dive and snorkel in the nearby coral reef as well as fish, but Stuart is not yet overbuilt like some neighbors to its south. It has a nice riverwalk, and its cute downtown has awning-draped shops, galleries, eateries and a farmers’ market.  The Stuart Boat Show happens every January and showcases 500 boats of every shape and size. Housing includes everything from waterfront mansions and modest condominiums to concrete block ranch ramblers. Long, clean and white with soft sand, Stuart Beach has modern amenities and is often uncrowded. Median home price: $400,000.

So relatively affordable beach towns still exist. They generally aren’t fancy, but they are livable places and may offer what many people are seeking: a home near the beach when they retire.