Living the beach life while still in the city can be a reality for property seekers on all budgets if they know where to look.
While Australia is known worldwide for its beautiful beaches, most of us can't afford to live near one, and Sydney home prices in particular have become so expensive that affordability generally only improves the further from the ocean buyers get.
But for those who have their heart set on living by the beach in the Harbour city, there are more affordable options than those found in the Eastern Suburbs.
In the Sutherland Shire, the median house value in Bundeena is $1.5 million, or buyers could look at the Central Coast, where the median price in Budgewoi is just over $700,000.
However, in other cities in Australia, buyers can find a beachside home for $500,000-$600,000 but still be close to all the city offers.
Tiwi, in Darwin, has its own beach and hospital and is a stone's throw from the airport, which makes it a convenient place to live.
The more expensive beach suburbs in Darwin, such as Nightcliff and Stuart Park, are $300,000 to $400,000 more expensive to buy a house, so Tiwi is a very affordable option.
Perth is also a good choice for those seeking the beach life.
The median house value in Golden Bay is just $533,733; another option is Safety Bay at $579,186.
| Suburb | State | Region | Median AVM |
| Tiwi | NT | Darwin | $521,119 |
| Golden Bay | WA | Perth - South West | $533,733 |
| O'Sullivan Beach | SA | Adelaide - South | $556,549 |
| Safety Bay | WA | Perth - South West | $579,186 |
| Taperoo | SA | Adelaide - West | $588,323 |
| Christies Beach | SA | Adelaide - South | $619,982 |
| Osborne | SA | Adelaide - West | $622,160 |
| Deception Bay | QLD | Moreton Bay - North | $625,341 |
| Bellara | QLD | Moreton Bay - North | $642,103 |
| Sellicks Beach | SA | Adelaide - South | $647,276 |
| Seaford | SA | Adelaide - South | $657,172 |
There are no Sydney and Melbourne suburbs on the cheapest suburbs for houses as it costs in excess of a million to live in even the most affordable of the beachside suburbs.
However, in Melbourne's west, Werribee South has made it onto the list of cheapest beachside suburbs for units.
With a median unit value of $478,472, Werribee South is the cheapest option for those wanting to live by the beach but still be close to Melbourne's great restaurants and entertainment.
| Suburb | State | Region | Median AVM |
| Nightcliff | NT | Darwin | $380,828 |
| Rapid Creek | NT | Darwin | $389,811 |
| West Beach | SA | Adelaide - West | $430,063 |
| Larrakeyah | NT | Darwin | $432,105 |
| Deception Bay | QLD | Moreton Bay - North | $437,167 |
| Henley Beach South | SA | Adelaide - West | $471,538 |
| Werribee South | VIC | Melbourne - West | $478,472 |
| Fannie Bay | NT | Darwin | $480,615 |
| Semaphore | SA | Adelaide - West | $498,899 |
| Thorneside | QLD | Brisbane - East | $501,547 |
Again, suburbs in Darwin are top of the list, with Nightcliff and Rapid Creek coming in at number one and two.
A house in Nightcliff can be one and a half times more expensive than a unit, but you can still enjoy the same beach, whichever type of property you live in.
For those with a bigger budget to play with, the Eastern Suburbs and Northern Beaches of Sydney are where the luxury beachside properties can be found.
In Vaucluse, where the median house value is $9,682,031, there are a number of public beaches, but the lucky few even have their own.
| Suburb | State | Region | Median AVM |
| Vaucluse | NSW | Sydney - Eastern Suburbs | $9,682,031 |
| Rose Bay | NSW | Sydney - Eastern Suburbs | $6,161,795 |
| Clontarf | NSW | Sydney - Northern Beaches | $5,545,515 |
| Bronte | NSW | Sydney - Eastern Suburbs | $5,537,834 |
| Mosman | NSW | Sydney - North Sydney and Hornsby | $5,204,218 |
| Palm Beach | NSW | Sydney - Northern Beaches | $5,045,884 |
| Clovelly | NSW | Sydney - Eastern Suburbs | $4,631,547 |
| Manly | NSW | Sydney - Northern Beaches | $4,275,328 |
| Bondi Beach | NSW | Sydney - Eastern Suburbs | $4,035,966 |
| Coogee | NSW | Sydney - Eastern Suburbs | $3,728,374 |
All the suburbs on the list are the most sought-after suburbs in Sydney and have the price tags to prove it.
But there are always units if you can't afford a house in these premium suburbs.
Double Bay tops the list for most expensive beachside units with a median value of $1,938,309.
Houses in Double Bay don't come up for sale very often and are usually held for around 12 years between sales, so buying a unit in this suburb can get you into a very exclusive neighbourhood.
| Suburb | State | Region | Median AVM |
| Double Bay | NSW | Sydney - Eastern Suburbs | $1,938,309 |
| Clovelly | NSW | Sydney - Eastern Suburbs | $1,793,238 |
| Manly | NSW | Sydney - Northern Beaches | $1,698,611 |
| Warriewood | NSW | Sydney - Northern Beaches | $1,450,350 |
| Bronte | NSW | Sydney - Eastern Suburbs | $1,446,223 |
| Rose Bay | NSW | Sydney - Eastern Suburbs | $1,406,615 |
| Mona Vale | NSW | Sydney - Northern Beaches | $1,401,061 |
| Avoca Beach | NSW | Central Coast | $1,367,456 |
| Coogee | NSW | Sydney - Eastern Suburbs | $1,358,083 |
| Vaucluse | NSW | Sydney - Eastern Suburbs | $1,342,243 |
Other Eastern Suburbs neighbourhoods are also on the list: Clovelly, Bronte, Rose Bay, Coogee, and Vaucluse.
A surprising addition to the list is Avoca Beach on the Central Coast.
This region is usually a more affordable area, but its proximity to the city while maintaining regional vibes has made it a popular weekend retreat for city dwellers.
Its popularity during the pandemic was also responsible for huge price growth.
Whether you are looking for a relative bargain or a luxury abode, there are options for anyone who is looking to live by the beach.
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