Thanks Beach Runner! After staying in the same house for years, we are needing to find something smaller and less expensive this year. I have been spoiled by the house we have rented in the past, so I am doing a ton of research to find the next perfect house.
I would like to stay in the area by Grove by the Sea, but feel that if we get too far back in the subdivision it will feel like we really are not at the beach. I want to be able to at least see the beach from the tower room; otherwise I could just stay home and go to the pool in my own subdivision!
Summer's Edge while not exactly as far west as I like, might fit the bill if I can find a house I like, for the price I like. I have also looked at Watercolor, but for the price you pay there, you would think you could be closer to the beach. Love the houses in Watercolor, just not the price for the closer sections.
There is a house down the street from ours called "Lucky Enough" that is a one story, fairly new house that might work for you. You can't see the ocean, but you could probably hear it and it's easy to walk to. I think it has a private pool. It's on Hickory Street, just to the east of Seaside. A very easy walk to the beach or to Seaside, without the Seaside crowds. I've never been inside the house, so I don't know how many bedrooms, etc. It's not in a community with a community pool, so not sure if it fits your criteria.