Where to live by the sea

[onesmallstepforman]

I would like to relocate to live by the sea, somewhere in the UK. I live in a big city but was brought up by the sea in a foreign country. I crave swimming in clean beautiful water, walks on the beach, sea air and everything associated (except for tacky beach tourism crap).
My criteria is ambitious but i'd like to think not impossible considering the UK is a huge island.
I am looking for a real beach experience, but for me Brighton for example just won't fit the bill at all! Or anywhere you mainly get muddy beach or water uninviting for swimming.
As much as I love Norfolk and some of the beaches there are pretty decent (say Holkham bay) it's not much for swimming. Even in summer water is always dark, and the strong tide stairs mud and sand, and much of stinky seaweed. Great for walks and all, but no good swim. I also like a ragged scene and secluded beaches, just to add to my complicated brief.
Other places which I have considered and discounted so far:
Cornwall - the obvious choice for both amazing beaches and good swimming in some places, but from what I gather everyone warned me it's a nightmare in summer, too far, no jobs and I will be looked down at as a property privileged thief.
Pembrokeshire - similar reasons to Cornwall, maybe not for 'stealing'l locals homes but apparently not good place to live at all. Holiday yes, but don’t stay forever.
So where else?? Devon? Dorset? ..Or do I need to move to the meds for this kind of life?

NW Lake District, I swear it’s heaven here, feels like one of the last hidden spots of England!
Cheap house prices, soo many swim spots, mountains, lovely people, feels a bit like the rest of the UK did 20 yrs ago.

Gower?

@MiddleagedBeachbum thanks you. I'm intrigued. Where about? Can you name a nearby town?

@Muchtoomuchtodo ok, will check it out! Thanks

Well i live in Pembrokeshire, clear water, small coves, fabulous restaurants and lovely villages. Lived here 15 years. It has the same issues as any rural seaside area in the uk, limited transport, varying health care issues etc. we love it.

Isle of Wight?

Northumberland or Tynemouth

The nicest beaches in the British isles visually are in Scotland, white sand, empty bar the occasional sheep or seal ... but it's fleeced and hiking boots, wetsuits to swim though to be honest I wear my wetsuit in Devon too!

I would consider what facilities you need, how far from civilisation you are willing to be and how you will cope with the inevitable winter storms.

I live by a stoney beach and water is cloudy due to tides but everything else is as you want - priority is everything

Salcombe although same issues re jobs and busy in Summer

What's your budget?

Came here to say North West, some areas. better than others but plenty of good areas and sandy beaches, well worth investigating

Actually Northumberland is beautiful, but fewer towns, so basically: go North!

Isle of Wight or Shaldon.

The problem with the west is the weather. It is grey and rainy a lot. I would choose Devon, south coast.

South Devon is nice. Somewhere like Teignmouth.

Why would you be considered a property privileged thief here in Cornwall if you live here? Its people with two homes that spend a handful of weeks here, that's the issue.

Not everywhere is sparkly clear water sadly, due to tory policy, but when it is - its cold!

Come down and stay and see what you think.

Jobs exist but career jobs are difficult to come by, depending on what experience you have. We have Plymouth and Truro where most "career based" jobs are located, and a few medium.sized towns.

South coast is pretty nice, and the weather would be better. (Warmer!) Bournemouth, Poole, Lyme Regis, Torquay, etc. Some lovely West Wales places like Barmouth and Aberystwyth, but the transport is quite poor. Llandudno is nice (North Wales.) Maybe Skegness or Scarborough? (East of England.)

Lots of nice northern places, but as pps have said the weather will be colder.

Jaywick

I'm from Cornwall. Most places have a lot of people from around the country so you won't be the only non-local by a long way. The bigger towns are a mixing pot of UK accents, although much less ethnic diversity than other places.

The biggest thing about your plan for me is that unless you live within walking distance of the beach, the carparks are all INSANE for the school holidays. Like you have to be parked by about 9:30 to get a space. Places like Padstow even put signs up on the edge of town saying something along the lines of "if you are arriving after 8:30, turn around now as carparks will be full".

I generally live living here and, having lived in a variety of other places, wouldn't really want to live anywhere else, but it's very busy in the summer holidays.

I also wonder this - its difficult as the more idyllic beaches are more cut off.

I'd add that professional jobs are hard to come by in person, but the internet is decent in most places so I'm able to work remotely.

If you're rich - West Wittering?

🤣🤣🤣

Northumberland has gorgeous coastal villages.
Tynemouth, cullercoats, Whitley Bay, North Shields, South Shields are all walking distances to lovely beaches

Loads of outstanding and clean beaches in Scotland