When I am older and an adult, I want to live by the coast

I am a city girl. In heart and soul. I even get restless if I find myself outside a city for too long. I mean, Paris, Ankara, London, and Copenhagen: these cities raised me. Just give me a city where I can dance somewhere on a completely normal Tuesday night, for example. I think New York and I would also be a great living match, and when I was recently back in Paris, I may have toyed with the idea of moving back. A place that’s always buzzing, that’s where I want to be. And Amsterdam, although I don’t find it very big, has really captured my heart.

But something changed last week. I was enjoying myself at the Portuguese coast near Cascais, close to Lisbon. A kind of Cape Cod from Boston or The Hamptons from New York, but then in Portugal where, if the wind is right, the water is filled with surfers. And I kind of fell in love with it. Yes, also with the surfers who had pretty divine bodies. By the way, I had no idea that Portuguese men were so handsome. I always based everything a bit on Ronaldo, and he’s not really my cup of tea.

Anyways, I digress: the coast. Yes, when I finally grow up and become an adult, I also want a little house by the sea. Well, again near a big city – yes sorry, city girl, so that buzzing city life has to stay very close. Think of a Venice Beach in California, Ipanema in Rio de Janeiro (been there – absolutely amazing), Barcelona, Sydney, or just living nicely in Lisbon with a weekend house in Cascais (if I win the lottery). And this is all why:

1. You can teach your kids to surf from a young age

I genuinely think this is the coolest thing ever. Last week I saw a young boy, probably around 9 or 10 years old, who was just a hero on the waves. Instantly in love. I want a kid like that too.

2. If you’re lucky (you definitely will be if you live in one of the aforementioned places), you almost always have nice weather.

As in: always bare legs weather. And because I’m typing this now wearing a sweater and long pants, I want to pack my things immediately and find a house for myself in Venice Beach or Malibu. Anyone want to sponsor me?

3. You just have a free gym by your house

Have you ever run on the beach? Yes, it’s a bit harder, but you get a killer ass from it. Or start your day nicely with a swim in the sea. I only see plus points, you know.

4. You always have a nice tan on your skin

And honestly? Who doesn’t feel prettier when they’re sunkissed?

5. Bonfires and roasting marshmallows

I find that more romantic than sitting with a glass of red wine by a fireplace.

6. And speaking of romantic…

I know, I know; as soon as someone has this on their dating profile, you always swipe away, but those long romantic walks on the beach, that can just happen here. By the way, these are the biggest dealbreakers on dating profiles.

7. You always have good hair

Because: you just have a permanent beach hair look. So you also save money on all those products you always buy to achieve that.

Now that I’m talking about living by the coast, I also want to make a call to everyone who would like to contribute to the rebuilding aid for Sint Maarten, which was hit by Hurricane Irma last week. Today, King Willem-Alexander is heading there himself with a lot of aid supplies, but if you have things at home that you no longer need, please join the national action The Netherlands helps Sint Maarten.