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?

consider Norfolk OP, if you have a large budget, you could by a place in the beautiful city of Norwich and a place on the Norfolk coast. Best of both worlds. The beaches are gorgeous. From Norwich you can be on the coast in 30-40mins drive.

Eastbourne.

Also, check the flood map projections for wherever you choose to see if you’ll be underwater by 2050.

Edinburgh or somewhere smaller St Andrews.

Sidmouth in Devon

Like you OP I don't drive so that is my main criteria for where I live.

I.e. walking distance to a supermarket, excellent public transport facilities. Lots of culture and half an hour by train to the beach.

I'm not in UK.

Hope you find what you're looking for.

Newcastle

Not exactly a large town with lots going on though...

Newcastle - Tynemouth/Cullercoats/Whitley Bay
Bristol - sea at Clevedon/Portisgead/Avonmouth

Edinburgh!
North Berwick and Dunbar would work too.

Cardiff or Barry.

Bournemouth thirded. Or up north - the Yorkshire coast. Scarborough.

Hastings - in the Old Town, or St. Leonard's.

I have to disagree here... It's a bit like Margate. With less art. It's fine for a weekend. There are no beautiful coastal walks, and although there are a few nice bits in southsea for eating out, that's your lot. The two old shopping areas have a plethora of closed down shops. No debenhams, knight and Lee or even marks and Spencer's left now. There is the soulless outlet bit at gunwharf, though, full of chain restaurants. If you like that sort of thing.

Swansea is wonderful. Westbourne or Southbourne areas of Bournemouth.

Aberdeen, a city with a beach.

Another vote for Brighton. People love to hate Brighton but I think it's vibrant and exciting yet with plenty of parks, quiet beach areas and suburbs/community feel areas if you want a break from the action.
Absolutely heaps to do, very artsy, loads going on all year round. Yes it's got its rundown bits but there are loads of parts of the city (including Hove, basically the same place) that provide a quieter pace if needed. You are spoilt for choice on what to do/get involved with. There are lots of coastal walks that take in the nearby 'deans' with stunning clifftop views- or the other way past Hove and its expansive lawns towards the lagoon. Regular buses go up towards the South Downs so the countryside is not far away. And London is a short train ride of course.
I sound like the tourist board! But I think it's a great place, despite the criticisms many have of it.
I would second the pp's suggestion of Shoreham too- really not that far away and a lot of its own vibrant scene going on.

Newcastle - Tynemouth is nice as are Cullercoats & Whitley Bay at the coast. There are some gorgeous houses a short walk from the metro stations and it’s 30 minutes into the city centre. Also even in the summer it’s lovely and quiet at the coast in the mornings so if you are an early riser you can get a whole beach practically to yourself for an hour or two. Pictures below (assuming they upload) are from summer holidays when we got up and got out for breakfast on the beach at Cullercoats/Whitley Bay

Edinburgh- minutes from wild coast and countryside, economically thriving. Large international airport, beautiful cosmopolitan city, centre for arts and performance.

Exmouth isn't huge. But there is a train station and a large tesco, lidl and The Range.
There was about a billion pounds of Dry Robed locals drinking coffee at the beach when I was down there the other week. Watersports and the countryside on the doorstep.

The coast for Edinburgh (mainly portobello but also cramond and newhaven) is quite far away.

north Berwick or Dunbar are gorgeous coastal towns. Lovely communities. Chilly though!

Another vote for North East coast near newcastle. Tynemouth, Cullercoats, Whitley Bay all on metro into city centre. Newcastle has loads to offer- culture, food, shopping, coast and countryside. Airport and main line trains. Just don't tell everyone.

Penarth, South Wales. 4 miles from Cardiff. Though I prefer Barry! The latter is a very large town but has some bits that some might consider a bit rough but houses are more affordable. The Knapp in Barry is a lovely place to live right next to coastline.

It isn’t a large town (but you can walk everywhere) and it has lots to do year round, Aberystwyth.

Brighton - fab place with loads going on. Beautiful coast and beaches.

Prefer it to Eastbourne or Bournemouth.

The whole wirral peninsula. 30 mins on the train to Chester and trains and buses to Liverpool which depending on where you live is 7-30 mins away.