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Original poster

AIBU to hope for a fresh start by the sea on £250k

377 replies

RussetDreams · 11/07/2026 21:09

I am mid fifties and want a new start. No family support. AIBU to think I can find a house by the sea or in a low-crime market town with a maximum budget of £250k? Any ideas?
YABU - budget is too low
YANBU - these places exist

OP posts:
Thread gallery
46
orangespikeyfrog · 15/07/2026 01:39

OhBettyCalmDown · 11/07/2026 21:17

Weirdly I found myself googling something similar earlier to scout out new locations. If you put in your criteria into google it recommends

Bridlington, East Yorkshire
The Vibe: A traditional coastal market town featuring a working harbor, two sweeping sandy bays, and an historic "Old Town".

Newbiggin-by-the-Sea, Northumberland
The Vibe: A soulful, small coastal town built around a sweeping bay. It features fresh air, sandy walks, and an iconic offshore sculpture

Ayr, Ayrshire, Scotland
The Vibe: A classic historic coastal market town boasting a beautiful beach, rich Robert Burns heritage, and excellent local high street shopping.

Workington, Cumbria
The Vibe: Situated on the gorgeous Solway Coast, this traditional market and coastal town serves as a great gateway to the western edge of the Lake District.

My partner has just bought a seafront modern apartment for 145k in Bridlington

Brokentoes85 · 15/07/2026 01:15

MinnieM101 · 14/07/2026 18:54

Totally do able. I know North East has a bad image but look at the beaches round Seaham , Sunderland and South Shields . Look at Whitburn . Gorgeous beaches all along the coast .

Seaham, seaton carew and South shields are all v v nice. Seaton is fave, went there on sat for my birthday.

Brokentoes85 · 15/07/2026 01:11

Seaton carew, scarborough or whitby. Or barmouth in Wales, most beautiful place in the world in my eyes, the sea and mountains!

RobertaFirmino · 14/07/2026 23:04

Beverley has more than Hull these days. Hull city centre has gone down the toilet.

twilightcafe · 14/07/2026 22:46

Warms my heart to see so many mentions for Hornsea.

Lincolnshiresausage · 14/07/2026 22:14

Moved to Hornsea in my 50s . Made new friends. Joined clubs. Everything walking distance . Library ,leisure centre, beaches regular buses to Beverley ( lovely place ) and Hull. Bought my dream.house .

Original poster
RussetDreams · 14/07/2026 22:05

Leavin4 · 14/07/2026 20:16

Depends on your requirements and how picky you are about area. We sold our 3 bed terrace in Torquay for £240k last year (to buy a bigger place just down the road). I love living in Torquay and would highly recommend it. If you are interested join the facebook group Love Torquay for further advice.

Thanks - I will join.

OP posts:
Original poster
RussetDreams · 14/07/2026 22:04

ruprect2003 · 14/07/2026 20:41

You would easily get something in Barry South Wales with that budget. Obviously made famous by Gavin and Stacey and not far from lots of beautiful coastline too

Thanks - I had a quick look through Rightmove listings and there are plenty within my budget.

OP posts:
Lincolnshiresausage · 14/07/2026 22:01

Hornsea East yorks has everything you want and houses are good value

MerryLemonScroller · 14/07/2026 20:53

Hornsea in East Yorkshire. Lovely town, close to Beverley (a large popular town seeped in history and old buildings) also within an hour of Hull (love it or hate it, it’s got what you need from a city).

Keep seeing Bridlington pop up on the list. I wouldn’t recommend it, it’s a fun day out but similar to Skegness for sure!

ruprect2003 · 14/07/2026 20:41

You would easily get something in Barry South Wales with that budget. Obviously made famous by Gavin and Stacey and not far from lots of beautiful coastline too

Bubblebathbefore8 · 14/07/2026 20:27

Littlehampton is classier

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/90874446#/?channel=RES_BUY

Bubblebathbefore8 · 14/07/2026 20:22

The sunniest place in the UK
www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/173221847#/?channel=RES_BUY

Leavin4 · 14/07/2026 20:16

Depends on your requirements and how picky you are about area. We sold our 3 bed terrace in Torquay for £240k last year (to buy a bigger place just down the road). I love living in Torquay and would highly recommend it. If you are interested join the facebook group Love Torquay for further advice.

clary · 14/07/2026 19:44

RussetDreams · 14/07/2026 18:12

Definitely near public transport/a train line, doesn’t have to be a main line. Flooding is a concern - I don’t want to live right next to a river or a place that floods so often that it’s difficult to get house insurance. Perhaps up a steep hill? I’d ideally like a dentist and GP in walking distance or short car drive, so no isolated hamlets.

Really not fussed about shopping, so don’t need to be near a big city or IKEA. I don’t want to rule anywhere out because of the weather when it might be a great place to live.

Show quote history

Public transport and dentist and GP within walking distance are both good ideas @RussetDreams and will certainly narrow down your list a lot.

I think you really want a small town rather than a village (which some of the suggestions here are).

LateMumma · 14/07/2026 19:33

Lots of places around Falmouth and Penryn (Cornwall)

Seasidelife1 · 14/07/2026 19:22

Look at Aberdeenshire. Can recommend Cruden Bay. Lovely village with good amenities and a thriving community feel. The beach is spectacular

WonderingWanda · 14/07/2026 19:21

Truro, St Austell and Newton Abbot all have houses at that price.

TheNeatCoralCat · 14/07/2026 19:18

I live in Southsea and it’s lovely but a little on the pricey side and can get very busy. I’d suggest the Alverstoke area of Gosport which will give you easy access to Stokes Bay and is a short ferry ride away from Portsmouth/Southsea. Or Lee on Solent, the next town along from Gosport, which has a nice, and longer seafront. If you drive you’d be in easy reach of the New Forest and the South Downs too.

Cat1202 · 14/07/2026 19:00

You can buy mine, offers over £200k, 2 beds, 2 bathrooms, large garden. Can see the sea from
my upstairs window and you can be on a beautiful beach with 5 mins. Northeast of Scotland, pm if you want. Very safe area, I’ve been on market 3 weeks

CatesandAle · 14/07/2026 18:57

Verv · 13/07/2026 13:55

I live right next to the sea in a village in Fife.
It is doable, and very peaceful.
Sea starts where my garden ends.
Personally I would look into Scotland, OP. More for the money imo.

‘Sea starts where my garden ends’ - what a lovely sentence

MinnieM101 · 14/07/2026 18:54

Totally do able. I know North East has a bad image but look at the beaches round Seaham , Sunderland and South Shields . Look at Whitburn . Gorgeous beaches all along the coast .