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Ocean. I don't know anything about mountains. I grew up near the ocean and learned to swim in the Atlantic. I could be in my bedroom and 15 minutes later be swimming in the ocean.
The North Carolina Blue Ridge Mountains. Once anyone I know has ever visited they cannot get enough. They creep into your soul like no other and prompt many revisits or even relocation.
We have two houses in NC. One on a large lake and another over 5000 feet at Beech Mt, NC. The mountain house is by far my favorite. I'd sell the lake house if my better half didn't like it so much.
The ocean is nice, but after a week I'm tired of the sand, salt and heat. I can spend a couple of thousand and rent a house down there long enough to reach my yearly limit.
For me, it's neither. I'm in the deep pine woods. I've got all kinds of wildlife trapsing through my property. Eastern cottontails, deer, black bears, bobcats, a red fox once in a while and the occasional moose. Even a rather large snapping turtle. All seen from the back deck. There are several ponds around with ducks and loons calling in warmer months. I should be hearing some peepers soon as the last of the snow melts. I like to sit outside and watch the passerby's while enjoying my morning coffee and cigar. The only downside is the trees block my view of the sky.
I've lived a couple of blocks from the ocean/beach in Southern California , and I've also lived mountain/ski towns in two different states (always major metros other than those ski towns). I've skied every area (twenty some odd) between Mt. Lassen and Dodge Ridge except one (Northstar) during my lifetime, including some that no longer exist (including Tanenbaum), and more in Central California, Southern California, Colorado, Wyoming, and a few other places. As well as living in the mountains for ski seasons, I've also lived in the mountains for two summers (also in two different states). I like both ocean beaches and lake beaches (lake beaches on the right lake...Lake Tahoe would be in that category).
I don't surf.
If I surfed, and liked it as much as I like downhill skiing, it might be harder to decide, but I'd pick the mountains.
One of my old counties that I lived in (mostly 'suburban' where most of the people are) had one featured/'locally iconic' mountain and multiple ocean beaches (Marin County, CA).
We have two houses in NC. One on a large lake and another over 5000 feet at Beech Mt, NC. The mountain house is by far my favorite. I'd sell the lake house if my better half didn't like it so much.
The ocean is nice, but after a week I'm tired of the sand, salt and heat. I can spend a couple of thousand and rent a house down there long enough to reach my yearly limit.
FYI: We got an inch of snow last night!!!
Love Beech Mountain! I have fond memories of visiting the general store one summer during a storm where the wind was blowing with snow flurries and their outdoor digital thermometer was registering zero degree wind chills, in July!
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