Moving to the Coast - but where?

[CoastalWave]

So, growing up I always lived by the coast. Somehow, as an adult, I've ended up living near a city, up North, andlocked and somewhat existing as opposed to living!

Myself, DH and 2 kids would love to move to the coast - but where?

Please inspire me with ideas of where is good to live.

We also need somewhere not too isolated as both kids play a lot of sports and want to continue doing so.

@Theendisnow yes whitley / the coast and the NE in general has always felt much friendlier than the South. the community feel is greater I've always found and everyone chats to you more.

@Theendisnow

Those who live in Whitley Bay do you find it friendly? We live in a “desirable” south east market town and I don’t find it at all friendly. Would love to move to the North east but it would be a huge uproot but I’d love to be part of a friendly community.

I've lived in quite a few different places in the UK as I've had to move with my job. I know it's a cliché but it really, really is friendlier in the North East. We absolutely love it here and feel part of the community and have made some brilliant friends. I think it helps that there isn't the snobbery 'keeping up with the Jones's' vibe at all.

Whitley Bay and surrounds are definitely friendly, it's a great place to live. I live about 5 miles inland, although I'm on high ground so can see the sea in the distance. Being slightly inland means house prices are much lower but the beach is still very accessible. I'd love to be within walking distance though. Just to note the coastal bit of north Tyneside is the 3 tier school system whereas the rest of NT is two tier.

Following this as I would also like to move to the coast, similar budget! I don't need schools though, just friendly people and great views....keep the ideas coming. I think fishing village sounds good - somewhere with a good pub and chip shop, but not overrun with tourists all summer, wonder if that sort of place exists?

@ashorterday

Following this as I would also like to move to the coast, similar budget! I don't need schools though, just friendly people and great views....keep the ideas coming. I think fishing village sounds good - somewhere with a good pub and chip shop, but not overrun with tourists all summer, wonder if that sort of place exists?

Staithes and nearby areas

Friends have just moved to the Sunderland coast. Short walk to the sea, for your budget and seem very happy. They have primary aged kids and wanted not isolated, lots to do and house that fits them all with room as kids grow up. They moved from the south so are very happy with the bang for their buck.

Agree with all the love for Whitley Bay. We've been here for 15 years and wouldn't want to live anywhere else.

Lytham st annes
Schools are all good or outstanding, lots of sports clubs and good transport links to the test of the country
You can get a 4 bed house in Lytham or st annes for your budget
Ansdell is a little gem between the two towns and has a fantastic lake at fairhaven
www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/116134448#/?channel=RES_BUY

I like this in Penzance:
www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/117023783

Redruth in Cornwall is home of the Cornwall Athletic Club and has various sports clubs and teams.
Portreath is a little community on the coast close by. This 3 bed is for sale there:

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/114714389

Third Sunderland. Roker, Seaburn and Whitburn beaches are lovely. Lots of great primaries. Lots of bang for your buck!

[quote Lunificent]Redruth in Cornwall is home of the Cornwall Athletic Club and has various sports clubs and teams.
Portreath is a little community on the coast close by. This 3 bed is for sale there:

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/114714389[/quote]
That beach looks gorgeous, weather is better down in cornwall in the summer but I'm not sure if I'd want to live there. It's so far down.

Another vote for Whitley Bay, and nobody has even mentioned the excellent public transport links yet! You can be in the middle of Newcastle in around half an hour, or direct to Central Station and on your way to Edinburgh or York or even London with the minimum of fuss. Plus lovely walks and scenery. If I ever manage to make it back to the frozen north to live again it would be very high up the list.

If you're going to head to smaller places in Northumberland do your research on schools and crime though, some areas have (or certainly used to have) issues with drugs in particular so might not be quite as idyllic as they seem.

I live by the beach but 30 mins from central Bristol... it's not the nicest beach being the Bristol Channel but it's certainly very connected. We paid £380k last year for 3/4 beds but there are cheaper 4 bed options further from the beach (still walkable)

Not considering Wales?

After years of wanting to live near the sea my parents moved a couple of years ago. They live in Northumberland, not too far from Amble. They can walk to the beach and then walk for miles along the beach and coast. They love it.

People will recommended Whitley Bay but I personally think it's not a nice place at all. Up the road in Tynemouth is lovely, and the front is nice, but the actual centre of Whitley Bay is dull, dreary, lots of boarded up windows, etc. I can only assume people who visit do not venture from the promenade.

@potoforchids it sounds like you haven't been to park view which is the main part and is just full of independent lovely shops and bars..? sounds like u are talking of just B&M / firestation area..

[quote Treedown]@potoforchids it sounds like you haven't been to park view which is the main part and is just full of independent lovely shops and bars..? sounds like u are talking of just B&M / firestation area..[/quote]
I live near and drive around it regularly. Sorry, maybe rather than centre I should have said 'slightly inland' in general.

Driving round many of the streets is just grim and each time I marvel at how overpriced it is.