Before buying my lakefront house in Northern Guatemala, I spent nearly a year living on the Southern Pacific Coast, right on the beach. I enjoy being surrounded by water, though beach living is quite different from lake living, and there are several factors to consider when choosing between them.
**Tides**
Tides bring a natural rhythm of ebb and flow, much like the changing seasons, and they can be quite charming. However, a massive tide or tsunami can be disastrous, potentially washing away your house. While you can file an insurance claim, insurance companies are primarily profit-driven and might not cover all the damage. Buying an older beach house might provide some reassurance since it has withstood storms, but you can’t be sure of the structural integrity, especially with sea levels projected to rise 2-7 feet by the century’s end. In Guatemala’s Lake Atitlán, historic villages were once 500 meters from the lakeshore, but when foreigners built right by the water, rising levels eventually submerged these new constructions. In my opinion, lake living is preferable as it’s less likely that water levels will rise significantly, although it does happen occasionally.
**Land Erosion**
Cliffside living is intriguing, but I always wonder about the eventual need to abandon homes due to land erosion. The sea is relentless in eroding the land, and if you buy right on the beach, the shoreline is likely to encroach upon your home gradually. It might not be immediate, but over the term of a 30-year mortgage, it’s a significant possibility. In the case of lakes, the shoreline is relatively stable. So, lake living takes the win here.
**Salt**
Six months after living on the beach, my laptop stopped working. At the store, I was told it was due to sea salt infiltrating the hard drive and fan, causing internal rust. I had never used it directly on the beach or exposed it to saltwater, but the sea breeze alone was enough. The store replaced the hard drive at a minimal cost, but it wasn’t covered by the warranty. Everything in a beachfront house is prone to rusting: your fridge, washing machine, dryer, and other appliances. If these appliances aren’t used regularly or if the house is empty for an extended period, the damage can be severe. Metal structures, roofs, and decks also suffer unless treated with expensive anti-corrosive paint and maintained regularly. On the other hand, houses around lakes might be a bit humid, but there’s no salt erosion. Hence, lakes win this one too.
**Activities**
The sea feels vast and boundless to me. You can circle my lake in just a couple of hours. Activities like sailing, diving, water-skiing, and fishing are more exhilarating by the sea. Beach towns also tend to be more sociable, attracting crowds every summer, whereas lake communities can be more spread out and quieter. If you’re seeking lively summers, the beach wins; but if you’re a fan of serene, less crowded spots, lakes might be more appealing.
**Seasonal Town**
Have you ever visited a beach town in winter? It can be quite depressing. You might have fallen in love with the beach during the sunny, warm months when shops and restaurants were bustling, but during the off-season, these towns can feel like ghost towns. Seasonal workers often move to ski resorts, leaving behind mostly older residents and fishermen. Some lakes experience similar seasonal shifts. For instance, I was in Tahoe the day the ski season ended and it felt quite gloomy. However, places like Florida have pleasant beach weather year-round. This one is a tie.