A 59-year-old man from the United States has made headlines for purchasing his dream beachfront house, despite warnings that it could be lost to the ocean within a decade. David Moot, a lifelong resident of Massachusetts, invested a staggering ₹3 crore ($395,000) to acquire the property on Cape Cod, near Eastham, even though the home sits just 25 feet from an eroding sand cliff. Experts predict that the property could be swept into the ocean in as little as ten years due to rising tides.
Moot, however, remains unfazed by the grim forecasts. Speaking to Bloomberg, he explained, “Life’s too short. I just thought, let’s see what happens.” He admitted that while the house may eventually fall into the ocean, he is content with enjoying it for as long as possible.
The low asking price for the three-bedroom home is directly tied to the growing threat of climate change and the increasing risk of coastal erosion in the area. Originally listed for $1.195 million in 2022, Moot managed to purchase the property at a significant 67% discount.
Moot’s purchase reflects a broader trend of steeply discounted properties in high-risk coastal areas. Rising sea levels and climate change have driven down prices on once-coveted oceanfront homes. For example, a property in Nantucket recently sold for $200,000—just a fraction of its nearly $2 million valuation, according to The Boston Globe.
Moot’s house, which he bought in December 2023, features three bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a two-car garage. The listing on Redfin clearly highlights the property’s precarious location, with a note stating that the deck sits only 25 feet from the edge of an eroding bluff.
The Massachusetts coast is increasingly vulnerable to erosion and other environmental risks. In Moot’s neighborhood, one home has already been demolished, and another was relocated further from the water to escape the encroaching tides.
Despite the looming danger, Moot is determined to live in the moment. “It may or may not happen in my lifetime,” he remarked, underscoring his belief that life is about embracing the present, rather than worrying too much about the future.
