- We moved from NYC to a small Maryland beach town and have encountered some surprises along the way.
- Although some restaurants shut down in the offseason, others offer great specials during this time.
- Finding a community here hasn't been easy, but I've finally made a great group of friends.
A little over a year ago, my husband and I moved from Brooklyn to the Eastern Shore of Maryland, seeking more space and a slower pace of life.
At first, we loved the proximity to the beach, the bustling crowds on the boardwalk, and the seasonal outdoor events. However, living in a town that loses most of its population in the offseason has come with some shocking realizations, both positive and negative.
Here are six things that have surprised me most about living in a beach town full-time.
Many restaurants and coffee shops shut down or reduce their hours in the offseason
Many of the businesses here make most of their money in the summer months, when the town's population balloons and families rush to the shore to spend long days on the beach and nights enjoying seafood at local restaurants, playing mini golf, or going out to the bars.
Understandably, some business owners take time off between December and March to recover after a hectic summer season.
But coming from NYC, where we could get pretty much anything at any time, this was a big adjustment for us.
However, some of the restaurants that do stay open offer incredible specials
When my husband and I first moved here, locals told us that we wouldn't need to cook in the winter because the deals were that good — and they weren't wrong.
From discounted dinners to cheaper drinks, we definitely get to reap the benefits of dining at the restaurants that remain open in the offseason.
In fact, there are entire Facebook groups dedicated to keeping track of specials, fostering a sense of community even when the crowds thin out. Finding the best ones feels like a fun little scavenger hunt.
There's still a lot going on — if you know where to look
There's a lot less happening in the offseason, but still, there's always something going on if you know where to look. Last fall, for example, I came across a fiddler's convention, a kite festival, and a pop-up ballet festival on the beach.
It took me a bit to find the right Facebook groups and business pages to learn about these types of events, but once I did, it opened up a whole new layer of the community.
The offseason is my favorite time to visit the beach
One of the best things about living here is being able to go to the beach whenever I want to. This means skipping the crowded weekends and holidays and heading out on a random Tuesday afternoon instead.
Locals refer to the period after Labor Day through mid-October as "second season," and now, it's become my favorite time of year.
The weather is still beautiful, but the crowds are gone, and it's easy to find a spot to park my beach chair right in front of the ocean.
Healthcare access can be a challenge
Because we live in such a small town, there aren't as many local doctors' offices or specialists as I was used to having in NYC.
When we first moved, for example, I needed to find a new vet for my senior dog, and I called four or five offices before I found one that was even accepting new patients.
For my own appointments, I often drive 45 minutes or more, and I've learned to book appointments far in advance.
Finding community takes effort, but it's worth it
When I first moved here, I was shocked at how difficult it was to find a community.
People from all over the world move to NYC looking for friends, whereas here, there are fewer transplants, and many people have known each other their whole lives.
Thankfully, about a year ago, a coffee shop with a workout studio opened near my house, and I started going regularly. Slowly but surely, I've built a group of friends who share my interests.
Now, we have a book club, plan beach bonfires, and enjoy trying new restaurants together. It took putting myself out there and pushing through some initial loneliness, but now, I feel so much more at home.
Eventually, we'd love to land somewhere that blends what we've come to love about the beach town charm with a bit more year-round vibrancy. But until then, we're enjoying our time near the beach.
