Best coastal towns in Wales?

[Unsure05]

Hello! We’re a family of 4 (myself, DH and 2 DDs nearly 3 and 12 weeks). We are looking at moving within the UK to a nice coastal town and have decided on Wales as it’s not too far from family and some of the beaches look beautiful! Can anyone advise where is best for families considering schooling, safety, outdoor lifestyle, laid back, more surfer vibes over arcades and candy floss. Also would need somewhere with access to gyms etc as we both work in the fitness industry! We are going to take a couple of weeks and have a look at a few places before we decide where to go but looking for where to check out! Any advice welcome please!

I'm in Aberystwyth and the local Facebook groups etc are all currently full of people moaning that the town is dying, and the council should do whatever Llandudno council is doing as Llandudno is apparently heaven on earth.

I think Llandudno would be a good fit, especially, as others have said, for the transport link of the a55.

Also bear in mind that although PPs are right that not all primary schools are Welsh medium, there are changes in language/education policy coming up which will place a far greater emphasis on Welsh language in primary education. The aim (I think) is for all children in Wales to leave primary school bilingual.

we don’t want to be too far south
Everywhere in Wales is further south than Rotherham.
Swansea is further south than Oxford and the top of the M25

The Welsh education have admitted that there simply aren't enough Welsh speaking teachers to implement more Welsh education at present

@AccidentallyFabulous Bangor is also dying it used to be thriving being a university town. Students have less money now so it's a knock on effect

Not sure about Gwynedd and Anglesey, but in Conwy there are some Welsh medium schools where Welsh is the first language, however schools are predominantly English medium with Welsh taught as a 2nd language.

Very lucky to live on The Gower…. I must have been good in a past life!

Isn't it Gower, not The Gower?
A friend who was from Swansea insisted it was.

Gower is lovely.

They aren’t called SATs but there is national testing.

We live in South East Wales near Cardiff and DH’s family are in Sheffield and Doncaster. We used to be able to do it in around 4 hours with one stop when DD was small. Now the 50mph restriction for a significant part of the motorways used means it’s more like 4.5-5 hours.

A friend used to be able to do Bradford to Cardiff in 3.5 hours. Now it’s 4.5.

Welsh Government are hell bent on bringing in 20mph speed limits almost everywhere else (local bus company now only runs 2 buses an hour rather than 3 because of it).

We visit less now and it’s rare that DH’s family comes anywhere near here. Pretty sure the last time DH’s parents came down DD was 2 (she’s nearly 13 now).

Swansea could fit your lifestyle. But it's a long drive. Don't underestimate the mess that is the M4.
I'd also look at Llandudno, but not sure re jobs.

Yes there is national testing. But it's stress free - at least in our school. The kids don't even know it's happening.

Mumbles
Surfer vibes
Good schools
Fitness culture
Property is pricey though unless you go east in Swansea.

At primary level, yes. DD is in yr7 and it’s very much not stress free. :-(

Cardiff

Mumbles is indeed pricey but you might also like Uplands. Lots of properties have sea views and Uplands has 4 parks, as well as being walking distance to the beach, city centre etc. it’s a good mix of families, students and has a vibe that is hard to explain.

Schools are great. Lots of green space, great facilities (most have pools or leisure centres attached) and caring. We moved here from the midlands when my kids were small so I can’t compare with England but I’ve been pleased with their school experience.

definitely visit Joe’s ice cream parlour.

Yup agree with this. Uplands is worth a look if you like a bit more buzz - I've got my eye on this beaut https://www.belvoir.co.uk/swansea-estate-agents/property/terraced-house-for-sale-swansea-sa1-P3581-42/

Also Tycoch, Sketty, Killay, Dunvant all (mostly) a bit cheaper than Mumbles but with masses to offer - parks, schools, beach. Oh and Joes of course (wondering if it's acceptable to have Joes for breakfast?)

What's your budget and how many bedrooms would you need.?

@ththebestbirtheraccordingtoDD
Cheap. 😅 and at least three bed. Looking on rightmove it's more towards Fforestfach, Penlan side of Swansea which is more our budget. Have no idea of what these areas are like from the perspective of a resident.

Have a caravan in Pennard so weekends/holidays would mostly be spent there.

I live in North East Wales in a pretty rural village about 15-20 minutes from Wrexham (where I work). Can get to the beach at Talacre in under an hour. If you work in fitness then there would be jobs at Wrexham/ Mold/ Chester. I'd personally go more in-land as you'd get work, and wouldn't need to be a welsh speaker (lots of welsh spoken around Bangor). We are happy with river walks/ paddling, and beach an occasional treat. Will often go wild swimming at Cholmondeley Castle, Alderford Lake, and Bala. If you are set on the beach dream then it's a no for north east wales.

I don't know south wales very well at all.

I'd give Penlan a wide berth. Fforestfach not much better.

I'd give Penlan a wide berth. Fforestfach not much better

Yes you pay a premium for naice areas of Swansea

Cheaper Swansea - can vary street to street. Parts of Mount pleasant, Brynhyfryd, Manselton. Treboeth on the up. Waunawlydd is fine but rather dull. Cockett is fine.

Places like Penlan, Townhill, mayhill get a lot of stick but have amazing support and community spirit in some areas. Older people I know have been able to live independently far longer in such areas due to support from neighbours. Can be rough though.

Ravenhill seems ok but I don't know it well.

You pay a premium for naice areas in any city. I'm just not sure why you'd choose to move to Swansea to then live in Penlan. What about Gowerton?

@mmassistar Rough area I can't afford in the Midlands or rough area I can afford in Swansea 🤷🏻‍♀️ 🤣

This one is lovely

https://www.onthemarket.com/details/13031653/

You might also consider along the Ceredigion coastline from Aberaeron to Aberdyfi. Cheaper there too. Aberystwyth is a popular university town and borth is popular with alternative types.