i live probably a 20 min walk, 5 min drive to the beach. i love the location of where we live but i don't go to the actual beach alot. that said, i was never a huge beach-goer so i am going slightly more often than i would have when i lived a 40 min drive away. i take DS to a park that is right on the beach & i love being able to hear the waves as he plays.

i find it a relaxing location most of the time - i used to love seeing the water from the train as i came home from work. i used to feel like i was a lonnng way from the city & like i was going on holidays! the downside is that i don't enjoy it as much during the warmer weather - where we are is still a suburban beach in melbourne & a lot of people come on hot days. that makes the shops very crowded etc & does mean teenagers just hanging (parading!) around

overall though, we're very happy & have no plans to move.