To ask, if you wanted to move from London to somewhere near the sea, where would it be? UK options

[Bunnica15]

Just that really, my lease is up in September and I really feel like I’m done with London.
I want to move somewhere near the sea, but where?? I have a baby and 2 teenagers.
Anyone have any pearls of wisdom?

Isle of Wight. Much cheaper, safer, and never to far from a beach!
State secondaries not great though.

Depends how close to London you would still want to be. Obvious choices are Brighton/Hove if you can afford it.

Brighton (or somewhere along the south coast)

Wales?

the home section of the Sunday times for 14th july had a whole section on moving to the seaside if you can find it as it is behind a paywall but I think if you register you can view a few articles a month for free

Folkestone. We did it and have not looked back once.

I was looking at Hove and Broadstairs.. I don’t want to be too far away from London.
I’m worried I’ll regret it, after living in London my whole life! Has anybody else moved and what’s your experience?

Norfolk

We moved from Surrey last year to just outside of Worthing. Hove is lovely if you can afford it. Between Brighton and Littlehampton there are lots of nice places. We are a 5 minute drive from the sea. Best thing we ever did, wish we had moved years ago. DS starting a great high school September, really like the people, got a great new job. Only 50 minutes back to Surrey to see friends. Nipped to Brighton to go shopping this morning.

Inverness

Poole is only 2 hours from London. It’s a big town with beaches, forests and lively countryside very close. Schools are good too.

Bristol or surrounding area? Coast not sea, but also a city so you wouldn't miss London as much - vastly cheaper - good schools and 2 hours from London. A much slower pace of life too.

I already live by the sea in Wales and wouldn't live anywhere else!

Brighton. I love Brighton.

West Sussex coast. It’s not too far from London, or Brighton, or Southampton. South Downs in close proximity. Good mix of coast, country and towns.

Westagte-On-Sea much nicer than Broadstairs and not crawling with tourists

I grew up in Brighton - it’s a good place to be a teenager. It used to have some school problems (not enough spaces) but I think that may have been largely resolved.

Whitstable is lovely if you’re looking at Kent. Shingle beach though!

Thank you everyone! This is really helpful 😊

Isle of Wight. Much cheaper, safer, and never to far from a beach!
State secondaries not great though

No way would I recommend the IOW for a teen or anyone of school age tbh.

How sold are the teens OP,it's a really hard time to move at that age and tbh I wouldn't entertain it unless necessary.

I'd consider locations of a) work and b) other family first, and then how far from London you can be (still commuting in, or have meetings?) I was commuting 90 mins each way at one point and that was just too far. The train itself was "only" 50 mins but actual door to desk was 90 when you add on the tube, getting to the station in time, etc.

There are bucolic places that are not actually on the sea, worth considering whether it's the sea you want or green spaces and an outdoor lifestyle which you can get in more (and potentially cheaper) places.

Tenby, Lyme Regis, Staunton sands, West Bay

Margate. It's being called London on sea because of all the Londoners moving in

We moved from South London to Hove, it's brilliant. 6 yrs on and I don't regret anything. I love it down here.

Brighton area for me. I love Brighton but not sure i’d want to be right in the action! More Hove end.