A New Study Says Living in This Area Can Actually Increase Your Life Span — Yes, Really

Summer might be over, but a new study is making a convincing case for extending your beach vacation days into the fall and winter — or even making seaside living a full-time thing. According to findings from The Ohio State University, your home’s proximity to the ocean can directly impact your long-term health as well as how long you live.

It’s no secret that spending time in and around an ocean can make you feel relaxed and happy (thank the magnesium rush and the mental health-supporting effects touted in the Blue Mind Theory), but Ohio State University’s data found that living 30 miles or less from an ocean or gulf can positively impact your longevity. The study, which published its findings in Environmental Research, examined data from 66,000 U.S. census reports to determine that people living near a coastal hub are likely to live a year longer than the national average — and it’s the perfect push to move to a Nancy Meyers-coded beach town.

Unlike the TikTok-viral Blue Mind Theory, which argues that proximity to large bodies of water, or “blue spaces,” can positively impact your mental and physical health, Ohio State University’s data linked the positive effects of coastal proximity to oceans, not inland lakes or rivers. It also found that living in urban epicenters has the opposite negative effect on your health and longevity, even outweighing any benefits from being close to a body of water. 

The study cited positive health effects due to an ocean-adjacent area’s milder weather, which means fewer heat spikes and extreme temperatures (which have been scientifically proven to increase faster aging), as well as better air quality (the ocean basically functions as a natural air filter), and less drought likelihood. Additionally, milder weather around oceans usually means more recreation opportunities and a more active population. 

This study’s findings are the push urban dwellers need to go on more ocean vacations, but you can also enjoy the oceanside lifestyle all year long by moving to a coastal town (and reap the health benefits of your new, water-adjacent hometown). Just keep in mind that coastal living might also mean spending more on insurance against natural disasters as well as other upkeep.

Ready to take the plunge and move to a beach town? Here’s a list of the most affordable beach towns to live in the U.S., based on median home values under $400,000.

1. Port Arthur, Texas (Median home price: $107,777)
2. Freeport, Texas (Median home price: $133,808)
3. Grand Isle, Louisiana (Median home price: $216,240)
4. Gulfport, Mississippi (Median home price: $191,232)
5. Brunswick, Georgia (Median home price: $240,434)
6. Biloxi, Mississippi (Median home price: $218,256)
7. Atlantic City, New Jersey (Median home price: $214,764)
8. Jacksonville, North Carolina (Median home price: $249,469)
9. Bay St. Louis, Mississippi (Median home price: $231,633)
10. Ocean Springs, Mississippi (Median home price: $263,480)
11. Pensacola, Florida (Median home price: $256,567)
12. Aberdeen, Washington (Median home price: $268,573) 
13. Crescent City, California (Median home price: $363,173)
14. Mastic Beach, New York (Median home price: $451,146)