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?

Moving teens could be tricky, finding two school places for one thing.

Anyway, Chichester and west wittering are lovely areas.

Don’t think the move is really fair on the teens (unless they’re on board) as it isn’t necessary and you’d be uprooting them from their social and school lives. But definitely somewhere like Brighton or Bristol (though as someone said not exactly sea) as moving teens who are used to London life to somewhere like Lyme Regis would end in major resentment.

Frinton on Sea in Essex.

I second pps. We moved from London to Hove, too cramped and expensive for us so bought house little way along the coast. 20 mins into Brighton (where I work) and DH still works in London. Right by southdowns over looking sea. Days off have been beach days for months. It's been the best decision ever.

West or East Sussex.

Brighton and Hove if you want to town life.

Bosham, West Wittering, Chichester if you want more quiet and picturesque.

Bournemouth! Lovely beaches but also have the new forest!

I’m absolutely taking on board peoples thoughts on moving 2 teens.. my boy is going into year 10 and daughter into year 9.
My son loves his school and has great friends.. my daughter on the other hand has had real troubles here. It’s a massive decision, and something I really need to think about (although I don’t have long!!! Need to be out of my house by November the latest)
I’ve had a horrible couple of years and desperately want a fresh start- but it’s not just about me. Wish I had a crystal ball to tell me if it’s the right thing to do or not 🧐

I think it's pretty mean to move a child during year 10, especially if it's for his sister. This will create resentment. Gcse courses vary from school to school and you will put him at a serious disadvantage by moving.

Tbh this has disaster written all over it. You've had a rough couple of years,so have a fresh start in a new place as you have to move,don't uproot teens unless they want to go. Continue to support your dd being happier at school either by looking at moving her or by other means. Your dad is happy and has good friends.

Look to move when exams are over.

I loved living in Brighton

I can advise you not to move to Plymouth!

I would have said around Poole or Bournemouth but having read about a child going into Year 10 that’s a no go as most schools start their GCSE syllabus in Year 9 so would be a very tricky transition. I assume though that’s the same these days in a lot of places?

Inverness is nowhere near the sea.

It's still lovely, I'm seriously considering moving there in a couple of years.

Brighton and Hove. Not IOW or Frinton. Because neither is suitable for a teen.

But there is the major issue of timing. Because going into year 10, the start of 2 years of GCSE's is a vital time.

Bournemouth and Poole have very expensive house prices when compared to local wages. I would say a decision depends on if you need to commute to london or not. If you do I would look at kent coast or hove area. If you need a new job dont look in Bournemouth or Poole as the house prices are stupid.

If I had teens I wouldn’t move to Brighton, huge drug problems and as rough as hell in town at weekends, lots of stags and hens stumbling around drunk during the day. Also for some reason it stinks in the summer.
We moved to the Witterings in West Sussex, it has the most beautiful beach and a lovely village centre, Chichester is 9 miles away, Portsmouth 24 miles away and Southampton a little further than that. Going the other way there’s Bognor Regis, Littlehampton, Worthing then Brighton. There’s Fontwell and Goodwood racecourse, a couple of excellent state and independent schools. Living here you have the best of all worlds, beautiful coastline and beaches, several cities nearby, stunning countryside and 90 minutes away from London.

Hove direction or Bristol. You want someone that’s still nice in Winter & a place where people live as opposed to visit.

2 teenagers? Are they not settled and happy at current schools? At those ages it would take a lot for me to uproot and move.

but it’s not just about me.

Understatement

I tend to agree. My parents did that to me when I was 13 and it was terrible, I never really forgave them.

How old are the teenagers?

Not sure about uprooting teenagers, but would recommend Southsea (next to Portsmouth) and surrounding areas. Love it there and loads to do.

Devon and Cornwall

Be aware that Kent has a selective education system - which could be problematical for your teenagers. Although most of the coastal grammars aren’t full, so if your child is top 25% or so, grammars are still an option.

I moved from London to East Anglia when I was 19. I’m still here and in my 40’s. Loads of beautiful beaches here.

Thanks everybody for your advice.
I absolutely agree that moving 2 teenagers is not a good option right now. My son is happy, and doing well- however my daughter is not in a good place and moving will only benefit her, my baby, and myself.
Year 10 is quite possibly the worst year to think of this, I just had a wobble when my landlord said I needed to be out by November! There is the option of him staying in London but I’m his mum and he needs me as much as my daughters.
The last 2 years have flown by, the next two will also- maybe I will reconsider then.
Thanks again for your advice 😊