Finding an affordable beach town isn't nearly as easy as it was ten years ago. Many of the places people dreamed about retiring to or buying a second home have already seen huge jumps in home values. That's left a lot of buyers wondering if they simply missed their chance.
Maybe not.
A recent Travel + Leisure article asked real estate professionals which U.S. beach towns they believe still have meaningful upside. Nobody has a crystal ball, of course, but it's interesting to see where experienced agents think demand could continue to build over the next several years. (Source: Travel + Leisure, "10 Best U.S. Beach Towns to Buy a Home in Before Prices Soar, According to Real Estate Experts.")
What stood out wasn't just the list—it was what these places have in common.
They're attracting more full-time residents instead of only vacationers. New restaurants and shopping centers are opening. Older homes are being renovated or replaced. Local governments are investing in infrastructure, and businesses continue to follow the population growth. Those are the kinds of changes that tend to reshape a community over time.
The beach towns highlighted in the article include:
- Santa Cruz, California
- Vero Beach, Florida
- Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
- Pascagoula, Mississippi
- Gulf Shores, Alabama
- Vilano Beach, Florida
- Portsmouth, New Hampshire
- Atlantic City, New Jersey
- Portsmouth, Rhode Island
- Jacksonville Beach, Florida
Seeing Gulf Shores on the list probably won't surprise anyone who's spent time along Alabama's coast.
The area has changed quite a bit over the last several years. More people are moving here permanently instead of just visiting during the summer. New neighborhoods continue to take shape, restaurants and local businesses keep opening, and the city has invested in improvements that support both residents and visitors.
It still offers everything that drew people here in the first place—beautiful beaches, boating, fishing, golf, and easy access to nature—but today there's a stronger sense that Gulf Shores is becoming a year-round community rather than simply a vacation destination.
Does that automatically mean home prices will soar?
Not necessarily.
Real estate doesn't work that way. Interest rates change. Inventory rises and falls. Insurance costs, local job growth, and the broader economy all influence what happens next. Even in markets with strong momentum, nothing is guaranteed.
That's why trying to "beat the market" can be the wrong goal. A better approach is finding a place where you'd genuinely enjoy living or investing. If values increase over time, that's a bonus. If they don't, you're still in a community you chose for the right reasons.
For buyers considering the Gulf Coast, this recognition from Travel + Leisure is simply another reminder that Gulf Shores continues to attract national attention. Whether you're looking for a primary home, a vacation property, or an investment opportunity, it's worth taking a closer look at what the area offers today—not just what it might be worth tomorrow.
Source
Lydia Mansel. 10 Best U.S. Beach Towns to Buy a Home in Before Prices Soar, According to Real Estate Experts.Travel + Leisure. https://www.travelandleisure.com/us-beach-towns-to-buy-a-home-before-prices-soar-12020079
