England/Wales coastal living - where should we go?

[CosyKnits]

We currently live in the north-west, suburban, nice but have decided to bite the bullet and move the coast.

It’s something we’ve been considering for years – we never meant to stay where we are for so long and want to get going before DD gets much older (she’s currently 5 and a half).

Trouble is, we don’t know which coast. We love Northumberland (Alnwick, Warkworth, Embleton) and have already discounted the Yorkshire Coast (absolutely lovely but more “seaside” and touristy than we’re after - plus we've lived in Yorkshire before and would like somewhere new if possible). We are basically open to anything in England or Wales and I would be very grateful for any recommendations/experience – if you live or have lived somewhere on the coast, and have the time/inclination, I'd love to hear about it. Thank you!

How remote do you want? I live on the coast but have a major city 9 miles away which suits me but obviously means it's not remote

Somewhere on the Hunstanton - Sherringham stretch. A nice village.

South West corner of Wales is beautiful and not as touristy as, say Cornwall.

We would want to be within reasonable distance of a town/larger village, definitely not right out in the middle of nowhere.

@ClaudiaWankleman @KnickerlessParsons thank you, will have look at those areas - fantastic usernames by the way!

Pembrokeshire coast is lovely from Cardigan down to St Davids. Worth a look and lots of housing options. Certain areas very expensive but it lively coast.

Tenby, Saunderrsfoot, Narberth, St David's, Newquay for starters.

SE Wales so you are in striking distance of Cardiff.

Thank you all - South Wales scoring highly so far!

And also being totally destroyed as a welsh community by people with more money moving here from England.

The Vale of Glamorgan coast - so close to Cardiff, and for some reason that stretch of coast is totally overlooked. Definitely not seasidey and touristy.

Oh give over. People can move wherever they like.

Replace England with anywhere else and you'd not say it.

Anglesey.

The Northumberland coast is fabulous but chilly.

Yes, they can. It doesn’t mean it is always right though. Lots of the rural coastal areas were Welsh speaking communities that have been destroyed on all fronts, by second homes/holiday homes, but also by wealthier incomers. Young people can’t afford to live in their communities. This is a different country, with a different culture and language, it is wrong to take no responsibility for damaging that. It is a subject coming up frequently in the discussion on housing along with the huge problem of holiday homes.

We moved to Swansea and love it.

Young people can't afford to live anywhere, haven't you heard? Besides, Welsh has been a minority language since before WW1. Isn't Welsh language ability now increasing? OP isn't talking about a holiday home.

The Vale of Glamorgan coast is lovely, but Bridgend is mixed and doesn't offer a great centre. Cardiff isn't far though.
I love around Ogmore and Southerndown. A little village called St Brides major has a lovely feel.

Or, live in cardiff and you have everything you could want and me 30 min away.

Yes I would, if another country was behaving in the same way towards a smaller country.
This is an upcoming discussion on the problems here. Housing crisi

England isn’t ‘behaving’ any way. It’s ridiculous to characterise it as such - it’s a country full of people, many of whom are Welsh, who all act independently of each other. There are no extra rights that English people have over Welsh people.
Put your ire onto local politicians not allowing enough houses to be built (ultimately the cause of young people not being able to afford where they are from) and ask yourself what your local community is actually offering them.

The Wirral on the River Dee side - just an idea!

Bournemouth/ Poole?

Good things- amazing beaches, premiership football, nice countryside- near the New Forest and Jurassic coast, grammar schools, employment not just limited to tourism. Quite a lot to do for kids. Good for water sports- sailing/ windsurfing/ paddle board etc. Summer season fun for teens.

Bad things: town centres not the best, too far from London to daily commute, not picture postcard pretty. Summer traffic.

Thank you @SirVixofVixHall this is something that has occurred to me, particularly the holiday home part and locals not being able to buy homes. This wouldn't be a second home but I understand it goes deeper than that.

I did some of my growing up near that area, it's definitely on our list, thank you!

Maybe Swanage? Near to Poole/Bournemouth for amenities, but a slower more rural feel. Decent schools.