I just visited Virginia Beach a couple of weeks ago, and couldn't help but notice that there is construction happening along the boardwalk, and in the neighborhoods of mansions north and south of the tourist area. A high dollar housing development was built recently around the historic Cavalier Hotel, and it appears that every unit has been sold. The beach along the boardwalk seems to be just as large as it was when I first was stationed near VAB in the 1980s, but I know that they are constantly dredging sand and dumping it on the shelf to build it up. I honestly don't know why they can't do that forever, and apparently a lot of other people feel the same way. New houses are built out of masonry and steel girders by the way, and are basically hurricane proof. Everything is tied together. So yes, the more affluent nations will ride this out better.