If you live near the ocean, you probably realize you have something that most people don't. Sure, everyone else can enjoy what you have too, but usually only for a little bit. The people who live at the beach year round know it best, and over time, they come to know a few other things as well.

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1. Parking is almost always an issue

On a Saturday in July, you will spend more time looking for a parking spot than you spent driving to the beach.

2. Nobody knows how to drive

Forget about enjoying a holiday weekend at your own beach. The roads have been completely hijacked by vacationers, and you’re better off just staying home.

3. Sometimes you wonder what people who don’t live near a beach do on boring summer days

You’re 100% sure that if you didn’t live by the ocean, you’d have nothing of value to do on days when you have no plans.

4. It doesn’t count as sleeping all day if it happened on the beach

Your mom can yell at you for sleeping in your bed all day, but can she really yell at you for doing the exact same thing on the beach? Well she shouldn’t, because if you’re on the beach, you can substitute the word sleeping for words like “tanning," “relaxing," or maybe even “reading."

5. Most things get boring after a while, but the sound of the ocean never does

You probably don't want to watch that movie for the 400th time, but another trip to the beach never hurts.

6. The beach isn't just a summer thing

Only natives to the area truly appreciate the beauty of a beach covered in snow (and a town empty for the winter).

7. Even if you went away for college and are enjoying yourself beyond belief, there will be times you wish you could go home for a day just to watch the waves crash

And when you do finally get to make that trip, it’s the most relaxing experience you’ve had in a really, really long time.

8. You take it for granted sometimes, but where you live is actually a little piece of paradise.

Certainly, your town being filled with people on vacation is so annoying that you can hardly stand it anymore. But can you really blame them for being there?

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Regardless of how far you end up from your paradise later in life, it's always home. And it will always be there, waiting for you to come back.