David Moot, a 59-year-old interior painter and designer, has purchased a house perched just 25 feet (7.6 meters) from a crumbling cliff on Cape Cod, Massachusetts, for $395,000. Aware of the erosion risks, Moot said, "Life's too short," choosing to enjoy the home while it lasts.
The three-bedroom property, overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, was originally listed at $1.195 million in 2022, but Moot secured it at a significant discount due to its precarious location. The price reduction reflects growing concerns over coastal erosion and rising sea levels linked to climate change.
"Eventually, the house will fall into the ocean, whether during my lifetime or not," Moot said, embracing the uncertainty.
Experts like Stephen Leatherman, from Florida International University, warn that erosion rates on Cape Cod can exceed 3 feet per year. Homes like Moot's are at greater risk, especially during winter storms when beaches narrow.
State geologist Brian Yellen noted that many homes on the East Coast are built on coastal bluffs made of glacial soils, which are particularly vulnerable to erosion, further endangering structures near the shoreline. Despite this, Moot is determined to enjoy his new home for as long as he can.
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