Since we evolved out of the primordial soup, we humans sure like to keep our gaze fixed firmly on the water--and we’re willing to pay more and more to keep it there. Take the case of the double-wides over in Briny Breezes, Florida. In December, a group of trailer home owners were offered millions of dollars. Why? The lots overlook a spectacular stretch of Florida beach. This week, by an overwhelming vote, the mobile home owners ratified the agreement. And that’s the way it goes. Whether it’s a cruise ship or a Maui hotel, rooms with a view always fetch a premium price.
When I first moved to California as a starry-eyed east coaster, my main goal was to find an apartment with a view of the ocean. To meet my budget, I literally ended up in a pigeon trap of a place, with a fire-eating boardwalk performer for a building manager, but I had my ocean view, and--as they say--watching the sunset over the Pacific from my living room couch: priceless.
I’ve learned the hard way that a bad view can cast a negative pall over an entire vacation, like when I pulled back the window shade in a Utah hotel, and found an inexplicable stack of oxygen tanks right outside. Or, there was the time when I stayed by the Oakland Airport and overlooked a 24-hour fast-food drive-through with a very popular parking lot.
So I understand why the trailer homes are worth so much. An ocean view is constantly in motion, with ever-changing colors, a soothing soundtrack, and the endless drama of ships, sky, and seagulls. For many of us, it’s a visible reminder we’re not at home any more, that we’re somewhere ripe with new adventures and possibilities.
Now that I live in San Francisco, I’ve traded my sunset couch in for a convenient location, which is why I’m always willing to shell out a little more when I travel for a view of the sea. But how much is too much? Can you put a price on an ocean view?
