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Original poster

Have you ever lived on the seafront?

85 replies

PuttingOnTheKitsch · 12/09/2024 18:48

I've lived about 5/10 minutes walk from the sea when I was a child, but I've never actually lived on the seafront and dream of being able to do so.

If you've lived on the seafront, as in the beach is right outside your front door, what is it like?

OP posts:
elliejjtiny · 12/09/2024 19:34

Only on holiday. When we lived with the in-laws we were 20 minutes walk away from the beach and I went there most days. It's the one thing I miss about that time. We live 40ish minutes away from the beach in the car now.

SkeletonBatsflyatnight · 12/09/2024 19:36

We are 2 streets off the sea front. Can see the sea from two of our three floors though. Love waking up in the morning and seeing the sea.

oakleaffy · 12/09/2024 19:36

Mum owns a tiny house on a hill in the South of France that looks over the Med - St Tropez lighthouse flashes on the wall in sitting room at night
I think four fast flashes then a pause
It’s beautiful
The sea is ever changing and so restful to the eyes.
It’s a mini paradise.

Favouritefruits · 12/09/2024 19:38

permanently salty windows and coil springs fail on my cars for fun! I love living by the sea but it’s very windy most days and the seagulls drop all sorts in our garden!

LifeExperience · 12/09/2024 19:39

DH and I owned an ocean front condo in Florida. I loved looking at the ocean, seeing pods of dolphins, watching the sunrise, etc. I love walking on the beach, picking up shells, checking out sea turtle nests. We moved away because we didn't like condo living, but the ocean was awesome.

The main negative was that the salt air destroys everything. Aircon systems only last a few years, it eats the paint off your car, rebar in concrete buildings needs to be restored, etc. Constant maintenance.

DeCaray · 12/09/2024 19:39

When my children were young we lived in Cliff Parade, Leigh on Sea, close to Gypsy bridge and it was a couple of minutes down to the beach. No houses in front of us, just a road and the railway line!

Now my husband I live at the top of cliffs in Wales with a view over the sea but a longer walk to the path that leads down.

I do like the fresh air from the sea!

User050105 · 12/09/2024 19:41

Yes we do. Agree with all the comments about rusting cars and grubby salty windows, seagulls, roof repairs, wind.

And we have locals having bonfires every night in the summer, fireworks for every possible occasion, our beach is well used almost year round.

But I love it all the same. I never tire of the views and watching all of life go by my window every day. No need for reality tv in our house.

We now also have a sauna trailer thing set up just 2 minutes walk from our garden.

I occasionally have a worry about sea levels rising but it still feels quite far away for now. I imagine we'll sell no problem when we're ready but the people after us might regret their purchase. Or maybe not. Life is unpredictable.

I do think the storms and winds have got worse the past couple of years but our houses have stood for 100+ years so finger's crossed they'll stay standing for a while yet.

hayal · 12/09/2024 19:48

I grew up on the North East sea front. There wasn't another house between ours and the cliff tops. The beach was a 5 minute walk in one direction, and there was a lovely cove for rock pooling 10 mins in the other direction.
I loved watching the storms out at sea, but that was about it.
I'm not sure if it was because I took it for granted with not knowing anything else. However I now live in the countryside and if I had to would choose the countryside every time.

Newterm · 12/09/2024 20:00

It’s my dream. But only to live in the beach house in sleeping with the enemy..

Nosleepforthismum · 12/09/2024 20:10

Not quite on the beach but a 2 minute walk to hit sand. Obviously it’s fantastic views and I love a storm when the sea is really loud and wild. Downsides are that I optimistically bought a few fruit trees to have in the garden and the salt air pretty much burnt the tops off. You can’t have a barbecue in the garden without being stalked by seagulls and we usually get a couple of baby gulls that fall out their nest on the neighbours roof which means we are attacked every time we leave the house. Apart from that it’s great!

LittleMissDaisyyy · 12/09/2024 20:15

I don’t sadly! But my DF does, & I shall be permanently jealous 🤣 I love watching the sea, it is mesmerising! I live in London & all love the freshness of the air there compared to it in London.

However, in the summer his road gets extremely extremely busy with people coming to visit the beach & in the winter there have been times I have opened my car door a smidge & the wind has slung it open I thought it would come off 🤣 I was grateful when he expanded his driveway to fit on the extra cars as trying to make it across the road on a windy winters night was…. Interesting! 🤣

Nannydoodles · 12/09/2024 20:28

Yes we do! As others have said mainly it’s magical with the ever changing views and the starry night skies are incredible, but the seagulls are a pain, the windows are never clean due to the salt spray (and gulls!) and in the summer visitors can block your drive and drop rubbish everywhere.
It’s also amazing how during a storm and the rain is blowing in horizontally across the cliffs from the sea how the water finds every tiny weeny gap to get in through.
Never seen a hairy beach spider though, just ordinary garden type ones.

User050105 · 12/09/2024 20:39

Oh the baby gulls. They're a nightmare. Or at least their parents defending them are.

They're bad enough in their nests but if one falls out in your garden you can't get out your door without an umbrella for protection.

Silverblue1985 · 12/09/2024 20:39

I used to - and don’t miss it one bit. Idiots parking everywhere (even on roundabouts) and blocking us in. Seagulls. Though they seem to be even worse about 1 mile inland where we are now. Everything rusting. Windy. I’m glad we only rented as the balcony ceiling was a right state all the time.
We are now approx 20 minutes walk away which I much prefer. Though if I had it my way I’d be nearer forests and mountains than the sea.

BriceNobeslovesMurielHeslop · 12/09/2024 21:23

I’m pleased to hear that hairy beach spiders seem to have been a feature of living next to a stony beach in 90s Aberdeenshire only!

Gingerwarthog · 12/09/2024 22:08

Grew up on the West coast of Scotland in a house beside the beach. It was great - busier in Summer, quiet in Winter. Spent my early teens walking my dog on the beach, swimming and I could hear the sea at night when I went to sleep. Beautiful view out to the islands and I remember seeing the Northern Lights.
I don't live there anymore but I feel caged in now if I live too far (over 3 miles) from the sea. I have sailed, sea swim regularly and have to spend time by the beach or on the beach regularly.

Crazymadchickenlady · 12/09/2024 22:12

Yes I did for a year when I was also at Aberystwyth Uni. I was in Alex Halls right on the seafront and had a sea view room. I loved it.

Theunamedcat · 12/09/2024 22:13

Dd did in university the worst was when she got flooded technically the downstairs was flooded her room was OK but looking out her window and seeing the sea was scary even though we knew her back entrance was clear for her to leave then the waves began getting closer to her window and the water came in from the top true to form she simply moved her stuff away from the window emailed maintenance and went to sleep 😂

greenshade · 12/09/2024 22:26

Yes i own a cottage at the sea front its lovely.
Im can see the sea from my window im about a mile from my closest neighbour.
And about 5 mins to the sand.
Blissful.
Very privet area.

annieloulou · 12/09/2024 22:37

Lived in a road that led down to a prom and beach in a smallish resort.

NW England.
Salt water in windows, front door handles, windy, parking issues, busy in the summer..
now live 7 miles inland, it’s much quieter but seagulls are much worse weirdly.
Its also colder - the sea air made it warmer on the coast.
Our property is now nicer but miss the ease of being to walk on the prom, the views there in all the different weathers.

FussyPud · 12/09/2024 22:52

I spent a winter living in a North East seaside promenade B&B with my parents when I was a teen. We were homeless, and that’s where we were put. It was a crappy time, but the sound of the North Sea at night was quite comforting.

TheFireflies · 12/09/2024 23:00

Not right on the beach, but overlooking the harbour which flowed from the beach. Absolutely loved it, particularly the sounds of the boats in the wind. I miss it. If I won the lottery, being right beside the sea would be a non-negotiable.

ZanyPombear · 12/09/2024 23:02

I used to. I found it quite isolating but maybe that’s just because of how far away it was from everything. I think in a town it would be ok

Sgtmajormummy · 12/09/2024 23:09

I have a timeshare in Hesketh Crescent, Torquay.
I go out at all times of the day and night to stare at the bay and it always gives me butterflies…

SaffronsMadAboutMe · 12/09/2024 23:12

We're going to retire to the seaside soon.

The last thing we want is a house on the actual seafront though, due to the wind and storm damage.

So we're looking at a few roads back.