The Coast as a Permanent Home
Every year, thousands of families dream of living by the sea. However, many end up returning to the city after the summer, seeking social life. In coastal towns, once the season ends, the network that gives meaning to community life fades away: friends, activities, services, and social connections.
The cycle repeats itself: parents leave “because the children get bored,” and the children get bored because their friends have left too. That circle turns the coast into a temporary space, not a vital one.
However, some coastal towns have already managed to break that cycle. What were once fishing villages or seasonal tourist destinations have evolved into vibrant communities, driven by sports like surfing, windsurfing, kitesurfing, and, more recently, wing foiling. These activities have acted as powerful catalysts, boosting local services and revitalizing the real estate market. They’ve become magnets for younger generations, drawing in adults as well and laying the foundation for year-round coastal communities.
Although many of these towns don’t reach summer levels of activity during winter, they’ve succeeded in maintaining life and energy through the rest of the year. They’ve become lively in spring and summer, yet retain their appeal in autumn and winter for families seeking a more natural lifestyle—away from urban stress but still connected to the world.
During spring and summer, these communities buzz with energy; in autumn and winter, residents enjoy a valued tranquility, sharing their surroundings with family and friends in an authentic, peaceful atmosphere.
Surf sports, along with fishing and diving, work as triggers to build active social ecosystems beyond the summer months. These activities, combined with marine projects, high-tech agriculture, and coworking spaces, are turning many coastal enclaves into appealing destinations for young people seeking balance. Working during the day on a farm, in a fish hatchery, or at a local coworking space—knowing that waves and a beer with friends await at sunset—completely changes the perception of quality of life. Coastal living thus becomes a strong alternative to urban routines, offering a healthier, more fulfilling daily experience.
Children who practice these sports also want to stay where their group of friends and environment are. When they find an exciting outdoor activity to share, the result is complete: an active, social lifestyle that replaces the screen-heavy, indoor routines common today. From there, families settle down, instructors find year-round work, and local businesses gain stability.
A Sustainable and Social Model
The success of these new coastal communities doesn’t depend solely on tourism but on a balance between sport, community, and entrepreneurship. Homes cluster around bays and coves with direct sea access and safe conditions, eliminating the need for daily car use. Children grow up outdoors, parents work—on-site or remotely—and the local fabric strengthens.
This model generates specialized employment, stimulates commerce, and promotes coastal conservation. Nautical activity stops being a seasonal pastime and becomes a social and economic engine—and for many, a way of life, whether as leisure or professional vocation.
Toward a Year-Round Coast
How do we break the cycle?
… coming soon.