I grew up on the coastline, graduated St. Petersburg High '68, and also lived in Pensacola for six years. I miss the beach, but when I lived there I only went a couple of times a year, which you can accomplish with a two hour drive from TV. Other activities for me would be golf, yes there are courses nearby, but many are private or require part membership, or are more expensive. Homes near the water require higher insurance rates and maybe even flood insurance. Then the hurricanes, here in TV I've ridden out two without leaving, at the beach, you'll be evacuating.
If you needed proving, go to Treasure Island or St. Pete Beach and look for a condo for under $200K, it won't on the beach but within a few blocks. See how it goes, after a year if you don't like, you can resell it and at very least break even. If you don't mind college kids and like being around younger people, families, spring breakers, go to Panama City Beach. A whole lot of condos there for 30 miles, beautiful beaches and a lot of things to do. They get more real winter weather however.
My neighbor that I play golf with, for some reason has gotten really into fishing big time. He and wife have gone to the beach just about every week for the past year. They even spent a week in Destin in the panhandle and two trips to Key Largo in the Keys. Their favorite place is Venice Beach, they were just there for a week. I haven't been to Venice in 40 years, so I can't tell you much about it. For really good prices look at Punta Gorda and Port Charlotte areas, you can get a masonry home on a canal with a pool for in the $300,000 range. Here's a link.
https://www.zillow.com/homes/for_sal...oom%22%3A13%7D