To move from our idyllic life just to be by the coast?

Will you be buying or renting? Lots of friends are struggling to find long-term rental properties in south west Cornwall and I get the impression it's like that elsewhere in the county.

Property prices are also extremely high, so depending on where you're moving from, you might not be able to match the quality of your current home.

Living and holidaying somewhere can be quite different, particularly in off season. So definitely look into it carefully including practice stays out of season if you haven’t already tried this. When we moved overseas we found it useful to made a list of all the general stuff we also enjoyed such as cinema, arts etc and looked at how this worked in the target destination, as well as how we would visit family in an emergency etc. (obviously depends how remote you are going).

We're moving to a seaside town, and have lived there in the past and you're unlikely to use the beach much. We used to go once or twice a year, and now DD lives there she doesn't go often even though it's literally down the hill.

We're not moving because of the beach but because DD and her family live there and I babysit fairly often.

Can confirm the North East is absolutely baltic right now

I think a lot of costal areas are renowned as being some of the most deprived parts of the country. Others, that are popular tourist areas, can become ghost towns in the winter and very depressing to live year round. 'Coast' is a very vague and broad dream. I don't think I'd don't personally, much as I would love to live by the sea.

Coastal communities can have a lot of hidden deprivation especially out of season.

I grew up in one until I was a teenager and then my parents moved back to somewhere more urban. There was a lot of drugs and alcohol.

I keep in touch with people who stayed - it's still an issue now 30-ish years later.
It's a lovely place and as an adult I wouldn't be averse to going back but it would need to be with a very clear focus...

In your situation I'd be looking very carefully at your employment opportunities, educational opportunities for your DC, what life will look like for them post education - are they likely to go to college/ Uni or will they need supported accommodation/ a job. Do either exist in the are you are considering moving to?

Is there stuff for them to do as they get bigger/ older? In general teenagers don't like building sandcastles on the beach every weekend. Altho' I have very fond memories of my Dad coming home promptly from work and scooping us all up for a beach walk followed by fish and chips in the summer. And I still love a wet and windy coastal walk. But I also have memories of hanging around the churchyard aged 13 with some mates & my then "boyfriend" with a 3litre bottle of cider for company.

Another factor is the local salary: accommodation cost ratio like - or does it appeal to you with "incomer" money but a child who grows up there may struggle to stay?

Depends where you are and where you might be going?

North-east coast outside of Newcastle is great. Good and outstanding schools, beautiful scenery and walks, lots to do, friendly, nice housing, very nice small towns/villages. However if you live in Lincolnshire and your family live in Norfolk it's probably too big a hike. And people keep saying the north-east is cold.

We love it, everything about it. Nothing like living next to the sea but also having nice country walks on your doorstep.

I think it sounds worth it. Better to go while the kids are in primary than secondary. As long as you could afford the lifestyle you want. I live in a seaside town and love it but it's costs an absolute fortune!

I wouldn't take the risk, OP. I do get it, I sometimes get this idea too - but if it's good now, why change it?