Peter and Karen West have owned a bach in Waihi Beach for 13 years and have recently become permanent residents.
The couple, both aged 53, lived on a farm in Ngatea and holidayed at Waihi Beach before deciding to sell both the farm and bach to buy a beachfront property.
Places such as Mount Maunganui and Papamoa were "full", he said.
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"With the beach, fishing and the harbour, it is a magical place."