first of all it is a limited resource, second of all everyone loves the beach

Because its nice to swim in the ocean when you get hot. Also wacth the grandchildrin play in the surf.

I don't know. You couldn't pay me enough to live so close to the water that I'd spend all my time watching the weather for approaching hurricanes and checking on my insurance coverage, that is, when I wasn't sitting in traffic with all the other people fleeing the storm and praying to get away from the coast before it hit.

They want to be next to the shoreline, possibly for the following 8 reasons: 1. "Sea air" is considered cleaner and healthier than the air humans breathe, farther inland. It has to do with the moisture and salt content of the air. 2. Beachfront property is preferred property, and because of that, it's a good real estate investment, if someone owns it. Lots of folks own beachfront property for that reason, or to produce income from rentals. 3. Because beachfront property is very expensive, it is likely that your next door neighbors will be financially "well off," and possibly good quality neighbors. Also, because beachfront property is rather large (in many cases) it is likely that your next door neighbors will not be very close to you, as far as actual buildings are concerned. 4. There is "zero travel time" to go swimming or fishing. You just walk out your back door, and you're "there." 5. The continual "lap-lap-lapping" of the ocean waves slamming against the shore is highly conducive for sleeping. The rhythmic sounds of the waves are considered highly relaxing and stress relieving, and many folks report that they have never slept better, when they have slept in an oceanfront property. (I am among those who claim that.) 6. Trade winds are at their strongest and best, along a shore line, and this means that no electric fans or air conditioning is needed, to keep your home "aired out." Just open the windows at either end of the house and a "wind tunnel effect" is created, constantly infusing clean salt air at one end, while expelling "dirty" air and cooking odors out the other end. 7. If you are an "available male," there is no better way to impress a woman, than to take her to your "beachfront hideaway" for a weekend. (More than likely, after spending a weekend there with you, she will want to move in.) 8. You are the FIRST one to know, when a Tsunami ("tidal wave") hits, so you can immediately get on the telephone and warn all of your friends. Here's just one example of what I mean (different from the embedded video): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nnk_CEURQwU +5

Because beach is place where everyone want to go. Because they want to live so close that they donet need any resisitance to go beach every day.