To want to move to the south coast?

[mummymacbeth]

I live in Scotland, I have some friends who have recently moved to the south coast (Brighton and Eastbourne). They are loving it. Am I mad to think I could have a better life by moving to the south coast (better weather, proximity to the continent)? It seems so achievable. Is there a downside? Anyone done it?

I'm from the south, but now live further north. I find the south expensive, snooty and overcrowded when I visit now. Granted the downs are beautiful, but I much prefer to just visit! I do miss the proximity with France though.

The thing for me is the cultural issue.

Having lived in both Scotland and the south coast I much prefer Scotland for the people, the culture, the facilities, cost and effectiveness of public transport, the scenery (mountains! Lochs!) the general way of life etc but the weather and ease of travel (think cost and availability of flights from London compared to Scotland) make a world of difference.

I travel a lot so this is important for me, do you intend to travel much?

In short OP I'm torn! Currently darn sarf considering a move back north of the border.

Oh and I'm English from Hampshire btw

We are in London ... seriously considering a move down... visited Hastings and St Leonard's and didn't get the right vibe there to be frank. Yes, we could afford a lovely home... and I'd hope that the day nursery I started there would do well.. but work is a concern.

Is there a lot more work in Christchurch or Eastbourne? Are we looking at the wrong areas??

We LOVE Arundel and other places but they're so expensive.

Where can I buy a palm tree?

We live in Kent and love it. It's not too far from London, the coast, Dover ferry ports and Eurostar, pretty countryside, etc.

I'm on the SE coast and desperately want to move to the Midlands!

Piglet - low-budget options: I've had good, sturdy plants from here.

Am drooling over your link, Seventh! Not for my house & budget :(

The midlands are lovely. Except for one thing... No sea!

Therein lies the sticking point saggy - we're ten mins from three different beaches here and DH is being stubborn. But I loooooooove the Midlands, my mum lives there and it's all rural and beautiful and full of lovely schools...

Born and bred Londoner. Now live between Brighton and Worthing and wouldn't move for the world. Love being 10 minutes north of the sea and south of the Downs. Also have Brighton on our doorstep which is a lovely place to shop and go out.

Went to Uni in Norwich, loved it there. Had a stint living in Lincolnshire I would much rather forget about.

South coast all the way for me!

I really like Northamptonshire, and the cotswolds, but I couldn't leave the water. I'm six minutes from the Es-chery here. On a good day you can smell it. Wherever I went I need water!

i couldt imagine not living near a beach.

Oooh Perdita Lincolnshire's one of the places I've been looking at - what was wrong with it?

if you think of the country like a sieve, the south coast collects dregs.

partly

Feak, nothing wrong with it per se. If anyone knows me in RL, this may totally out me, but I moved up there with STBXH on (his) whim. Spent 3 1/2 very lonely years in the middle of nowhere with DH away a lot of the time and me stuck on my own pregnant and then with a baby. I cried the day I left the house for the last time- with happiness!!!

We lived on the western edge of the Wolds. Beautiful part of the world, but employment not great and salaries appalling. Around Louth is absolutely gorgeous. Am not such a fan of the southern part of the county- very bleak and flat. And as for Skegness.... words fail me! Apologies to any S Lincs folks- no offence intended!

I guess I am a townie at heart and found living miles from anywhere with only one near neighbour very difficult.

Piglet I think we might be neighbours!

Born and bred South Coast / New Forest. Now a bit further along, but could never imagine living away from the sea.

Even in darkest grey winter it's inspiring.

What's Worcestshire like?

Eastbourne's ace, I grew up there and would love to live there again.

I moved to the South coast & love it. Beautiful long sandy beaches, pretty seaside towns. Ferry ports nearby (but I've not used them other than to get to the Isle of White), airports, not too far from London.

I live close enough to the sea that the rain clouds tend to blow over us - it might be pouring 1/2 a mile inland but it often seems to miss us. I have a huge palm tree in my garden. Downside: no snow days. And tourists. Grr.

We moved from North Yorkshire to Dorset. I love it! 20 min from the beaches, close to the New Forest and Downs, and no word of a lie, at one point over the winter it was 8 degrees warmer here than in North Yorkshire!

Poop, Worcestershire's very pretty indeed, with lovely rivers that flood a lot. Worcester is a gorgeous little city: ancient history and good shops, all in one place. Very agricultural & outdoorsy, so not my cup of tea but great if you're less of a concrete lover. Vale of Evesham had terrible weather this past year, but is usually one of the mildest districts in the country. Easy trips to Wales and to Bristol/Bath; good road and rail links.

I lived in eastbourne for 3 years and hated it. But then i am used to living close to london so have ended up back in croydon. I found eastbourne too small and depressing apart from the summer.

Thanks for the garlic! :)