What's a really great UK seaside city or large town to live in?

[LAHallucinations]

As the title says really. I've lived in a small town in the Home Counties all my life and I'd like to move to the coast within the next year. The trouble is I have very few restrictions/criteria for where I could move, so I'm struggling with very bad choice paralysis. Whenever I do find somewhere I think would suit me, I search for threads about the place on here, and inevitably they'll be a handful of comments saying what a shithole that place is, which just sends me back to square one (even if most other comments are very positive).

So no negativity please, just places that you think are really good to live in.

The only essentials are:

• Must be by the coast (doesn't need to have a sandy beach, just some good coastal walks)


• Must be a big town or a city (I don't drive so I want everything nearby and plenty of things to do/opportunities to meet new people)


• Mustn't be somewhere really 'rough' or rundown

I work from home, I don't have children, and I have a large budget, so none of those things are an issue.

Where would you recommend?

Newcastle, brilliant city and the coast is very accessible and gorgeous.

Currently sat in Trearedur Bae and sending you a very unimpressed stare... Cardiff indeed! How dare you... 🤣

Llandudno area you have sea and mountains to explore. Edinburgh a bit cold for me. Devon Cornwall too empty in the winter. Cardiff area is buzzing.

Brighton. One of the few places that doesn’t have a run down high street. Massive amounts of investment going into local facilities and public transport.

Newcastle - but you can live in Tynemouth; Whitley Bay; Seaburn; Roker; Whitburn

Gems of the North…

They dont want a big town nearby, they want to live in a big town or city. 600 people in summer does not make a big town or city (although if they wanted to go somewhere Bangor is a whole lot closer than Chester!)

I know I know, it really did pain me!! 😂

I should quantify this slightly - as a non driver living in the depths of North Wales hoping to help someone not make the same mistake as me, Abersoch is probably not the best bet.....

Second Falmouth!

Ah Treaddur Bay haven't visited this year planning to soon so beautiful

@justasking111

Do! Porth Diana was beautiful this morning, 20 odd people in the sea it was shockingly mild and balmy. I grew up here but have lived in Belfast for 15 years now, so North Wales now feels like a proper holiday when I come back visiting family! Off to Abersoch and llanbedrog on Monday and I can hardly wait 😀

@Covidagainandagain Bangor had an Asda now I suppose to be fair 🤣

Brighton. Lots happening - plenty of clubs, choirs and events. Small enough to walk pretty much everywhere plus lots of public transport. Quick to get to London.

You have the Downs to the north and of course the sea. Not the most beautiful beaches but out of season they are great. In season go along the coast a little.

I can't see Bournemouth has been mentioned yet.it's a lovely small city with miles of beautiful beaches and lovely countryside nearby. Really big range of property too

Whitley Bay. Good local community and easy to get into Newcastle.

North Berwick has gorgeous beaches and lovely countryside. It has low crime, good local activities and amenities and you can easily get to Edinburgh and are close to stunning parts of the Northumbrian coast too.

St Andrews

Edinburgh gets my vote.

Definitely not Falmouth!

Quite a few people have suggested Brighton but it’s a very marmite place..

Bournemouth I would have said
however the drug problems have escalated at a rapid rste
noticably different over the past 12-18 months

Southsea in Portsmouth. South coast so nice and warm, important maritime city with great transport links, nice houses to buy, not too touristy, lovely, quaint, laid back, vibe to it. Decent Waitrose, bars and restaurants. Has a fort/castle, lighthouse, annual festival, etc.

Bournemouth or Cardiff.

Holywood Co Down

Support this seeing as it's where I live and I love it 🤣

Another vote here for Lytham St. Anne's, really lovely high street, walks by the beach, and easy transport links to other nearby cities.

Liverpool. It's the only city I'd consider moving to.

Cromer. Although not a massive town, it has pretty much everything you need and good transport links to other towns and Norwich. There are lots of beautiful coastal walks around too.