Is there anywhere in the UK, that has a lovely sandy beach and is also a buzzy city.?

[JennyTals]

It has to be sandy beach only

"Bournemouth" is massive. Going to the city centre on holiday doesn't give you the right perspective. There are lots of lovely and buzzy areas stretching along over seven miles of sandy beach. I love it.

Edinburgh - but be in Portobello or Cramond. No point living in SW of the city as it would be a PITA to go to the beach daily if that is what you're after.

Slightly baffled you've never realised Scotland is a different country with its own education system and different taxes. Different legal system too.

Thanks for all the great ideas, I'm going to do some further research, starting with the sunderland area

Bournemouth like like, but lack of shops
Margate I just don't like, same as blackpool

Weymouth not sure it's busy enough, although willing to investigate this one further

Exeter sounds v interesting and I'm going to visit here and investigate this one, actually I think ill start my research here

Liverpool and Newcastle sound interesting

Norwich I will also plan a trip here

i think i'd love edinburgh, and Cardiff too, so alot of ideas you've given me
I'd also consider moving somewhere out of UK, for better weather but that would have to be in 6_8 years plus time

How would you describe Crosby and the coast northwards to Southport?

I just thought the taxes and schools would be pretty similar tbh

That matters in Scotland and Northern Ireland (which has magnificent beaches but not so much buzzy cities apart from Belfast)
Kids don't do reception. P1-7 is different ages to England
www.scotland.org/live-in-scotland/schools-and-childcare

Seconding (or thirding) this. There are beautiful, large, sandy beaches with surfing, there's a ton of ancient history if any of you are that way inclined, and Newcastle definitely meets the 'buzzy' criterion. Middlesbrough, Sunderland and Hartlepool aren't that bad either, though the culture shock might be a bit heavy depending on where you're moving from :/

Formby near Liverpool is a lovely sandy beach with dunes and a national trust forest.

Agree with Exeter and Exmouth. Beach is brilliant and regular trains and buses to Exeter.

@TheDandyLion @Arlanymor
As pp said come to Swansea it's bloody lush

Another vote for Portobello. Love it and a few miles from Edinburgh city centre.

@JennyTals If you move to Wales be aware that your child will have to take Welsh in school.

a few posters beat me to it! I was going to say Tynemouth too. Absolutely gorgeous, friendly part of the world with beautiful walks, sandy beaches, and of course the gorgeous old gal Newcastle nearby

Colchester is both the oldest and newest city in the UK and is 20-30 mins from Frinton on Sea, Walton on the Naze and Clacton on Sea, all fantastic sandy beaches.

As others have said Whitley Bay fits the bill (or Tynemouth). Straight on the metro into Newcastle but WB has a cinema, restaurants, bars, shops, parks, a theatre etc very safe and family friendly but definitely ‘buzzy’.

Exmouth is a small town/village but has a lot happening and Exeter is nearby.

I was also going to say Sunderland. Not so much for shops. The shops are pretty terrible. But it has a great restaurant scene now with great pubs and cafes and new ones opening all the time, and great arts venues such as the empire, the fire station and pop recs. great music scene. Great parks and beaches at roker and Seaburn and unlike Newcastle it is right on the beach rather than 30 mins away on the metro. You can go to Newcastle/metro centre/Durham for shopping.

This is my choice too. Stunning down there.

The taxes and schools would be pretty similar in Scotland? If you are currently residing in England, no the taxes are not similar on income.

@RamblasTapas
What's wrong with that. Our kids take French & Spanish here too. Surely that's a hour thing

Da iawn!

Schools and some taxes are devolved matters for the Scottish Govt, so no they are not the same as England, Wales or N Ireland

Skegness.
Mablethorpe.
Cleethorpes.

Newcastle :) You have South Shields and Tynemouth beach which are lovely about 20 mins drive away or easily accessible by the metro.

Very reasonable rent prices in the suberbs or especially if you live in County Durham which is a short drive away. I pay 550 for a massive 2 bed flat but my friend in County Durham pays the same for a large terraced with garden/drive :)