What’s it Like Living in a Beach Resort?

Last Updated on December 1 , 2024 by acrossthewaterwithchelsita

Before moving to Can Pastilla I was anxious. What would it be like living in a beach resort? Would it be boring in winter and overrun with tourists in summer? Would we have all the shops and services we needed? Would the novelty soon wear off? I’d lived near the coast before, but never in a purpose-built holiday resort.

If you’re thinking of moving to a beach resort or coastal area, you might have some of the same fears and questions. So let me spill the beans on the pros and cons of beachside living…

What’s it like living in a beach resort?

Having lived in a Spanish beach resort for over a year now, I can safely say the pros far outweigh the cons. While every resort town is different — living in Magaluf will be a very different experience to living in a quiet family resort —  most resorts will share the same benefits and drawbacks. 

With that said, let’s start with some of the downsides of resort life and beach living in general. 

Cons of living in a beach resort

• Corrosion — This was not at all on my radar before living at the beach. Turns out that salty sea air plus metal appliances is a recipe for corrosion. After only a year, our metal kettle and toaster are pockmarked with rust and our USB sticks and bikes are staging their own rebellions. Plus, all that salt is the enemy of clean windows!

• High humidity — While humidity can be great for your skin, humidity levels of 50% or more (common in coastal areas) can cause respiratory problems as well as mould in your home. Installing dehumidifiers does help, but they can be expensive to run. 
• Sand…everywhere — Just when you think you’ve conquered the sand invasion — surprise! It’s in your shoes, bed, and probably plotting world domination in your kitchen.
• Local businesses cater to tourists — Of course beach resorts make most of their money from tourists. But when you live full-time in a beach resort, it can be frustrating to find ten souvenir shops on your doorstep but no bookshop, good school, or reasonably priced restaurant. Which brings me to my next point… 
• Higher prices — Chances are if you live in a beach resort you’ll find prices are higher than in other areas. After all, there’s always a fresh stream of tourists ready to pay a premium while your wallet weeps quietly in the corner.

Fortunately, this is where my list of cons ends. The list of pros is much longer!

Pros of living in a beach resort

• You can go to the beach… EVERY DAY! — Let’s start with the most obvious pull for beach lovers: When you live in a beach resort, trips to the seaside are no longer limited to weekends and public holidays. You can go 365 days a year, for a morning jog, lunchtime walk, or evening dip!
• You’ll feel more in touch with nature — For me this is the biggest advantage of living in a beach resort. Sunsets over the sea, watching wild storms from your balcony, falling asleep to the sound of waves, spotting octopuses during your morning snorkel, seeing dolphins on your walk back from the supermarket… Living at the beach brings beautiful surprises in all seasons. 

• It’s so easy to stay active — Whether you like seaside walks, snorkelling, surfing, or Stand Up Paddle, there are so many opportunities to stay fit and have fun when you live at the beach. 

• Living next to blue spaces makes you relaxed and happy — Not only does spending time at the beach lower stress and lift your mood, it can also have lasting benefits for people suffering from depression and anxiety. Spending just 20 minutes walking along the beach can boost your mood, and when you live in a beach resort you have the healing power of the beach at your fingertips.
• The holiday vibes are infectious — Sure, you might envy those carefree tourists sipping sangría in the sun while you’re stuck at work. But the weekend hits, and suddenly, you’re living the dream —snorkelling in the morning and sipping a cocktail in the evening with a sea view. 

• You’ll never have to spend money on an overpriced beach holiday again — Who needs an expensive getaway when you live where others dream of holidaying?
• You’ll always have visitors — Okay, this could be seen as a pro or a con, but for me it’s a great feeling to live somewhere my friends and family want to visit and be able to host them.  
• There’s a lot to do — from spending the day at a waterpark, to jet skiing, beach parties, kayaking, or mini golf, there’s never a lack of things to do when you live in a resort. 

• Strong seasonality — Some may see this as a con, but in my opinion, it’s a huge pro! If you’re living in a beach resort that has high and low seasons linked to the weather, your neighbourhood will change drastically over the year. Living in a Mallorcan beach resort, my town transforms from a lively hub of activity in summer where every day feels like a beach party to a serene haven in winter when all the visitors have gone home. 

As you can see, there are both pros and cons of living in a beach resort, but overall I’m a big fan!

How about you? Would you like to live in a beach resort? If you live in one, what’s your experience?