Island Life

A couple is ready to leave the isolated island of Nantucket, Mass., for tropical Merritt Island, Fla., so they can escape long winters and stay active by spending more time outdoors; they seek a home with an open concept and a room for his man cave.

A couple looking to expand the family seeks a spacious house near the Atlantic Ocean in Long Beach, N.Y.; their dream home must include a new kitchen with white cabinets, a luxurious master bathroom, a yard for their dog and room for a pool.

A young, southern couple decides to buy their first home in Gulf Shores, Alabama. They both grew up vacationing in the area and love the family-friendly community and close proximity to several beaches. They hunt for a home with a fenced-in yard for their dogs and an updated interior.

A couple that first met on the beach in Newport, RI, wants to buy their first home on Aquidneck Island. With a toddler and another baby on the way, they hope to find a property with a yard for the boys, an open floor plan and something they can fix up to build equity in their starter home.

A couple of empty nesters are saying goodbye to the hustle and bustle of Chicago and hello to the laid-back lifestyle on Washington Island, Wisconsin. They want to live on a large waterfront property they can customize with plenty of room for visiting family.

Young newlyweds are ready to buy their first home together in Long Beach, New York. Just an hour from the city, Long Beach feels like the best of both worlds with beautiful beaches, great surfing and tons of nightlife. They hope to find a condo near the beach that has views of the water.

After growing up on Washington Island, Wisconsin, an entrepreneur is ready to make the quaint island home again. She's missed the small town feel, scenery and her family. In addition to opening a restaurant, she has plans to find a beachfront house with rental potential.

An engaged couple searches for a home in beautiful Gulf Shores, Alabama, where they can be closer to the water and spend more time on their boat. They're open to fixing up a home or building one, but being waterfront is a must.

An active family of five is tired of driving over the bridge to Merritt Island, Florida, and decides to make a permanent move. They want to spend more time together enjoying the island's outdoor activities and hope to find a home on the water with an open floor plan and a pool.

After years of spending summer vacations in Ocean City, a Maryland couple is ready to fulfill their dream of living by the ocean. They love the calmer, bay side of the island and hope to find a waterfront home with gorgeous views and room for their jet ski.

A college admissions counselor living in Geneva, Switzerland, recently fell in love with the low-country charm of Hilton Head Island, SC, during a vacation. Now, she's looking for a home close to the beach with rental potential, an updated kitchen and a spacious deck.

A successful business owner is ready to plant roots in sunny Key West, Florida. With the help of her daughter, she hopes to find a spacious house for entertaining that's also near the Old Town district so she can walk to work.

A couple follows a job opportunity to Long Beach, New York, a family-friendly area that offers the island lifestyle they're looking for with an easy commute to Manhattan. They want their twins to grow up by the ocean and spend as much time outdoors as possible, so they hunt for a home near the water with a backyard.

A Cincinnati couple that loves the outdoor lifestyle of Nantucket, MA, is ready to fulfill their dream of living near the beach. They hunt for a home with easy access to the water and town center, a backyard for their dogs and a separate space for renting.