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Original poster

Live by the sea?

126 replies

IsadoraMoon · 27/08/2021 19:28

I've just come back from our annual weekly trip to the seaside and felt really sad to leave ..the kids and I love it SO much, I'm desperate to sell up and move (currently living in a city 2hours drive from the nearest beach) finding a job in the area was always the sticking point, but now with the possibility of working remotely it seems like it really could be possible! Tell me, does the novelty wear off to visit the beach if you live really close? I know it wouldn't for me but I wonder about the kids (they're 4 and 6) the sea would be the main attraction as there's not so much else to do around there! The other option would be to move to another city (nearer to the beach, say 35 minutes drive, but more to do) but it won't be the small coastal visit I'm so in love with!

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RobinPenguins · 27/08/2021 19:58

I’m in a city near the sea (15 mins in the car, 20 ish on public transport) and that suits me, as we can go really regularly, on a whim if it turns out to be a nice day (or even if not and we just fancy it). I regularly go sea swimming too. I’ve got friends who live right on the coast and like it too but it’s been a nightmare the past two summers with all the tourists.

Strokethefurrywall · 27/08/2021 19:58

I live in the Caribbean close to one of the worlds most beautiful beaches.
I still remember the first moment I stepped foot on it. The awe of seeing it still never wears off but the novelty of living by the beach does in terms of “going”. My kids grew up here so to them going to the beach is a bit “same old same old”.

I would still live by the sea regardless of tourists though, but our tourism is different to the UK tourism.

Roundearth · 27/08/2021 20:00

Tynemouth / Whitley bay - 15 mins drive from Newcastle & Northumbria uni's or 40ish mins to Durham.

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Hellocatshome · 27/08/2021 20:01

I live a 15 minute walk to a city and a 5 minute walk to a beach. When the kids were little we spent quite a lot of time at the beach but any hot days or bank holidays etc we went inland as the beach would be very busy. Now they are older the kids don't really go, they go to the city or just hang around the streets. The novelty definitely does wear off I think like anything if its on your doorstep you dont appreciate it.

c24680 · 27/08/2021 20:03

I've always lived within walking distance of a beach, novelty hasn't worn off for me or my family!

Morning walks with the dog before work on the beach is just pure bliss and then beach days with the kids is amazing as well!

beigebrownblue · 27/08/2021 20:03

I live by the sea (not on seafront but a few mintues away on bus/taxi)

I visited London recentlu and couldn't take it for more than a few days.

I couldn't really see the sky from there.

The air was thick. Pollution.

I respect people who live there but I heaved a sigh of relief when I came back.

I could see the clouds.

Mincepiesallyearround · 27/08/2021 20:03

What kind of town is it? Does it have activities for youngsters? We’re on a coastal holiday at the mo in a lovely seaside town. There seems to be a lot of water based stuff for kids (and adults), I’ve seen families arriving about 4pm after school with paddle boards/boogie boards, people out kayaking and tonight a group of young teens were launching dinghies off the beach under the watchful eye of the local sailing club coaches. Basically there seem to be a lot of activities based around the beach and sea and it all looks lovely but I wonder whether it’s a summer only thing and during the winter these activities shut down.

LowlandLucky · 27/08/2021 20:34

I had to live in the middle of the country for a decade but the moment i could i packed up and headed for the coast. I live in a rural coastal area so don't see many tourists. Don't waste another day, follow your dream.

RiderGirl · 27/08/2021 20:44

Grumpy post and I'm prepared to get slated - but if you move to the coast please consider the fact that you may well be taking a home that a person who has lived there all their life needs. I live in a popular coastal area and it is utterly heartbreaking at the moment, we have a dreadful housing crisis because of people relocating from cities and driving up the house prices locally. People on the average wage locally just cannot compete. I absolutely hope that rules are changed so that people who already live and work locally get priority when houses are advertised, it is killing our communities.

chocolatecheesecake · 27/08/2021 20:45

We live 10 mins drive from a beach. Main roads get clogged up with day trippers but depends what you want. We go to an estuary beach rather than the main seaside beaches so it is not busy - but conversely there are no facilities and nothing to do at low tide except walk. And has to be exceptional to get snow as sea winds tend to prevent it. So you need to think about what you want from coastal living, and target areas accordingly.

ivfbabymomma1 · 27/08/2021 20:56

I was born in a seaside town, and still live here 34 years later! I don't find it so bad aside from the school holidays! Which i usually spend 2 weeks away from anyway!! It's lovely just having a beach there! I live within walking distance so don't pay too much attention to the traffic or parking situation!

CosmicComfort · 27/08/2021 21:01

I love living by the sea. Was landlocked as a child and moved to the sea for university at 19. I’m late 40’s now and still live by the sea, I love it so much.

I don’t see the sea all the time but I love knowing it is close by. I really couldn’t not live near the sea.

It does get busy in the summer but I don’t live in a tourist resort as such so it’s fine.

My teenage dses do not have the same attachment to the sea. They were both born in seaside towns and have lived within walking distance of the sea all their lives but have no interest.

daisyjgrey · 27/08/2021 21:02

The novelty doesn't wear off, no.

I was born here and I'm on the beach in one way or another a couple of times a week. I learnt to ride a bike on the beach, my daughter did on the same one and my toddler nephew is now doing the same.

The drawback is that in the summer you have to be savvy about when you're there and the rest of the village/town etc is overrun by tourists, but it doesn't outweigh the rest of the year.

And nothing beats a dunk in the sea on Christmas morning and then breakfast on the beach, although you won't be able to feel your toes until past lunch time...

TabbyStar · 27/08/2021 21:05

I lived in a v popular seaside town, but most of the tourists stayed in the centre and there was lots of quiet coastline and pubs/cafes out of town. I still miss it 20 years later!

tigerbear · 27/08/2021 21:05

Echoing PP in saying that the NE coast is amazing. I grew up there (Tynemouth) with the beach at the bottom of my street.
Tynemouth prices have rocketed, but Whitley Bay and Monkseaton still affordable.
Can’t wait to move back there!!!

daisyjgrey · 27/08/2021 21:10

@RiderGirl

Grumpy post and I'm prepared to get slated - but if you move to the coast please consider the fact that you may well be taking a home that a person who has lived there all their life needs. I live in a popular coastal area and it is utterly heartbreaking at the moment, we have a dreadful housing crisis because of people relocating from cities and driving up the house prices locally. People on the average wage locally just cannot compete. I absolutely hope that rules are changed so that people who already live and work locally get priority when houses are advertised, it is killing our communities.

100% this. The housing market here is utter carnage.

TiddleTaddleTat · 27/08/2021 21:10

I wonder where you are, there must be other natural attractions where you are? We are 2+ hours from the sea but it is made up for by lovely countryside. I think the tourists at the beach would be frustrating, personally.

DisgraceToTheYChromosome · 27/08/2021 21:14

We're 10 minutes from the sea, and we're never bored. Even when it's busy, there's so much space. Water could be warmer, but the sand is perfect. Rockpools, ice cream shop, cafe. That's the closest one, for the classic seaside there's Whitley Bay or Tynemouth.

Original poster
IsadoraMoon · 27/08/2021 21:27

Thank you everyone, great to get so many view points! I know I want to move but DP not currently 💯 on board. Being more of a city dweller himself, so maybe being in a different city (but closer to the sea) might have to be the compromise...but I'll keep working on him! if it was just me and the kids I'd move there in a heartbeat

OP posts:
PallasStrand · 27/08/2021 21:32

I’m in a remote part of southwestern Ireland, and the Atlantic is at the bottom of our field. It never gets old.

FindingMeno · 27/08/2021 22:13

@PallasStrand that sounds idyllic.

icedcoffees · 27/08/2021 22:18

I live in a very small coastal town - it's dead except for the summer holidays!

I absolutely love it but it is very quiet and isolated in the winter months.

Foxyloxy1plus1 · 27/08/2021 22:27

We moved to the coast seven years ago and initially loved it. Still do to a certain extent, but the last eighteen months has been tricky with so many people around- far more than usual and we’ve not walked along the beach very much at all.

The nearest town is not good, but one four miles away is fine and there are reasonable transport links to lots of places. This year, the traffic has been ridiculous and the local supermarkets rammed with holiday makers.

I wouldn’t move to an isolated part of the coast, because of the winter.

Nat6999 · 27/08/2021 22:27

My late dp spent a winter living with his mum at the seaside after he flounced out one Christmas day, he was back before spring started, he said it was the most lonely & desolate place in winter.

daisyjgrey · 27/08/2021 22:39

@Nat6999

My late dp spent a winter living with his mum at the seaside after he flounced out one Christmas day, he was back before spring started, he said it was the most lonely & desolate place in winter.
I LOVE a winter beach, much better than a hot and sweaty one.