If you have ever been to the beach on vacation, then you know all about the luxuries that paradise has to offer. You might even hear yourself saying something like, "Wow. This is so nice, I wish I could live here!"
I have not always lived on the coast, and I can remember saying things like that to myself when I vacationed in places like Gulf Shores, or Panama City.
If you've had the opportunity to live where everyone else vacations, you will understand why I sometimes roll my eyes when people assume that my life MUST be so great all because I live at the beach.
Trust me, the greatness I have going on in my life has very little to do with my geography. Especially since I spend 9 months out of the year away at college. If you want to take a walk in a locals' shoes, I suggest you keep reading.
Here are my pros and cons of the beach life.
1. Pro 1- I almost always have a good tan.
I spend a LOT of time outside so this would probably be true no matter where I live.
2. Pro 2- The beach is technically a 15-minute drive from my house.
In the few months out of the year when there aren't a lot of tourists here, it's a 15-minute drive from my house to the beach.
3. Pro 3- There are tons of summertime job opportunities.
One time I had a hostess job literally thrown at me. No application, no interview. I came in to help on a busy day as a favor to a friend, and at the end of the day the manager gave me a uniform and simply said "Can you start Monday?"
4. Pro 4- I know all of the local secrets that would make your expensive vacation more pleasant.
I have a friend at every mini golf attraction, theater, and expensive restaurant. I know about all of the backroads that help you avoid traffic. I know where to go to get the best Philly Cheese-Steak in town, without having to wait to be seated.
5. Pro 5- There is always something to do.
Because we cater to the vacationers, we have plenty of entertainment. Even if I don't feel like going to the beach, there are still 650 arcades, parks, and family fun places to go to.
6. Con 1- We don't wear perfume, we wear insect repellant and sunblock.
Seriously. The mosquitos are no joke.
7. Con 2- Summertime traffic is terrible, so I rarely make it to the beach without sitting in lanes of cars for 30 extra minutes.
If you are planning on driving anywhere near the beach you need to leave at least 30 minutes early, if not more! Especially in the summertime.
8. Con 3- It will not fail to rain every time I plan to actually go to the beach. EVERY TIME.
If you ever want it to rain for some reason, just tell me and I will attempt to go to the beach that day.
9. Con 4- Snowbirds.
I'm not talking about actual birds. I'm talking about all of the senior citizens who spend their winters here, not using their blinkers and complaining about our air conditioners.
10. Con 5- Everything here is 10 times as expensive as it should be.
We market towards tourists who are already spending tons of money just to spend a week here. And what do tourists do when it's rainy, or they are too sunburnt to go back to the beach? They shop. That's what they do.
I'm sure there are pros and cons to any location if you look for them. So with all of this being said, I love my home at the beach and I wouldn't trade it for anything. And If you are planning on taking your next vacation in my hometown, I truly hope you have a great trip.
Just please for the love of all things holy, PLEASE use your blinker!
