Where to live on the south coast

[JessicaCH]

My husband and I would like to move out of London with our 2-year-old daughter. Where we live will obviously depend on where we can find jobs, but we're thinking about where to aim for, and thinking of the south coast, as it's by the sea and not too far from family and friends in London. Does anyone have recommendations of nice places to live on the south coast, ideally with stuff going on culturally - looking for a good place for children to grow up, and a sandy beach would be great! :) Of course we'll also need to find a place with good schools, though I imagine all areas have good and bad schools. We want to avoid anywhere under a flight path, as not keen on air traffic noise. Thanks for any ideas!

[brodchengretchen]

I think you will have a hard job to tick all those boxes, OP. What are the three most important things to you in that list?

[SpringSpringSpring]

I would say that a sandy beach requirement would rule out most of West Sussex (apart from the West Wittering) and the eastern chunk of Hampshire, so that could be one way of narrowing your focus.

[JessicaCH]

Thanks for the info, SpringSpringSpring. I should add that a sandy beach isn't a necessity, but all things being equal, it would be nice!
brodchengretchen - 3 most important things: not being under a flight path, stuff going on culturally (that in itself I think will make it a good place for kids to grow up), and by the sea. Good schools are probably available in most areas, and the south coast (before it gets as far as Devon) is all within reasonable reach of London. Once we've worked out where we want to be, we can start looking for jobs in that area.

[Smartieskid]

Chichester emsworth Bosham selsey west witterings what's your budget

[SpringSpringSpring]

Hmm, I see a lot if planes going over but have never heard them so not sure about the flight path bit. For stuff going on culturally, I would second Chichester and add Southsea which I love and Brighton which is probably the most active place culturally but so expensive.

[JessicaCH]

Thanks for your replies. Our budget is not astronomical (so ruling out Sandbanks!), but I imagine most places are cheaper than London.

[JessicaCH]

Also wondering about flood risk, by the sea - don't know if anyone knows which bits of the south coast have the highest flood risk? (I'm thinking the Witterings might be a bit risky, as a very flat peninsula.)

[JessicaCH]

SpringSpringSpring, when you mention seeing planes but not hearing them, can I ask where that is, please?

[Oogle]

Aim for being in a town/village outside one of the big cities. Nice beaches (not sand) in between Portsmouth and Southampton, for example. Chichester is lovely and you get some great areas around Chichester but traffic on the A27 can be horrid. I think you need to narrow your search area down a bit as the south coast stretches quite a way

[Thornyrose7]

Watching with great interest as I wanted to post something almost identical to you OP, so thank you.
I am looking along the West Coatway train line ( between Brighton and Southampton) but it is quite a wide stretch. Our Dd is 6 so looking at junior schools.
Would love to hear more opinions on here.