I'd love to have a small house on the beach. I've always been found of the ocean ever since I was little. Plus the ocean waves are so relaxing to hear at night.
My pad is about a 15 minute bus ride away from Brighton beach, so I'm not all that ennamoured of a beach, and as for living in a tent, forget it !!! I prefer my creature comforts, so if I go away - then I stay in a hotel.
I've got the best of both worlds. I live a 10 minute walk down the channel from Lake Michigan. Beautiful state park another 5 minutes walk. I really wouldn't want to live directly on the shore. Just as the oceans are rising, so are the great lakes. I also have property an hour or so north in the woods. It is my get away camp. And will become my retirement homestead.