AIBU to think DH's dream home location doesn't exist?

[Putmynewshoeson]

DH has long wanted to live by the sea/water. He grew up near the sea and is desperate for DS to have the same activities available to him (paddle boarding, surfing, beach walks etc)

We were all set to do it this year but seeing the crowds packed into beaches has really put me off. Don't get me wrong, I know tourist spots are obviously busy but the behaviour of people just seems to have gone into overdrive.

DH is convinced we can find somewhere on the coast around the south/south east that won't be rammed like Brighton or Bournemouth in summer and where we can find a four bedroom for around 400k.

I think he's living in a Dreamworld. We aren't tied to anywhere for work as we both work remotely and will continue to be working remotely. obviously want a good school for DS when he's old enough but don't mind somewhere quiet with not much going on in terms of shops, pubs - just one or two of each for convenience would be fine.

I just can't see there being a coastline which doesn't have loads of visitors as soon as the weather is nice, where we can actually afford.

We've had a look on Rightmove but because we can pretty much go anywhere, it's a broad spectrum to search and I think we need to narrow it down a bit.

DH is just desperate to move I think (another issue is I don't think our house will sell, it needs a lot of work but he wants to try and take advantage of the stamp duty holiday)

Am I being a grump? Or realistic?! I feel like if it existed we would have been able to find some houses by now

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-75866386.html

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-70965189.html

Definitely do-able in some parts of the SE.

A few people have said it already - Worthing. Same lovely period town centre and beaches as Brighton, but half the price and half the crowds.

I went to Worthing a few years ago, and would have moved there in a heartbeat if the timing had been right. I thought it was beautiful. I didn’t really think places like that existed in England anymore. Lovely sea, lovely town, not run down, soooo cheap by London standards. Go there!

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-72660837.html

Bloody hell, I live in torquay in a four bed town house with reasonable sized garden that cost us 156k 5 years ago. Weve invested alot of time and effort and it's still probably only worth 180k but thankfully we have no intention of selling. It's not the smartest area of torquay, but we are 20 minutes walk from the beach, 10 from town. Less than 400k round here is totally doable! Obviously no sea views but you know, short walk, there it is!

I've not RTFT so apologies if anyone has already posted the same answer, but I'm moving to the isle of wight this weekend. Been looking there for 4 years & remote working means we can finally go for it. Plenty of good primary schools, less choice for senior but an incredible amount of beach & activity options for kids & a huge range of houses ( from £100k to £3m) depending on area & size... good luck!

I'm another in the Bournemouth/Poole area and second that the locals don't tend to go to the "main" bit of the beach. The last time attempted it I gave up after moving 3 times because the kids kept finding glass when trying to make sand castles.
However, when I lived in Westbourne (gorgeous place, my favourite) it was a short walk through the trees to the beach and it was never packed I LOVE that beach :)

If you do look at Bournemouth just avoid Boscombe, avoid like the plague, in day light its OK for a couple of shops or the beach, emphasis on day light

It's worth remembering that the pictures in the paper of the rammed beaches are only the busy beaches. I live in Hove, near Portslade and the beaches have been fine, even during the heatwave. Sometimes they were busy but never like the nsin Brighton beach. Also, it's not normally like that.
I love living here and having a beach on our doorstep.
Most of Brighton and Hove are quite expensive but Portslade is much more affordable.
I hope you find somewhere 😁
Lincoln Road, Portslade, East Sussex, BN41
www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-72486330.html Lincoln Road, Portslade, East Sussex, BN41
www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-72486330.html

Well your DH will get all his wishes come true down at Hayling Island which is between Portsmouth and Chichester. Come a have a look brilliant place to live. And plenty of lovely homes available under £400k. It’s a hidden gem, so don’t tell everyone! 🤣

Worthing & surrounding areas (Rustington, Littlehampton, Bognor Regis, parts of Lancing) are a great option

I think you may have more luck on the East coast further up towards or past Norfolk.

In Greatstone, New Romney, you can buy houses where you can access the beach from the back garden! Lovely beach too and very quiet.

I live in Bexhill and you can definitely get a 4 bed here. Maybe not right on the seafront because they're mainly flats, but within 10-20 min walk you can.

£400k will get you right on the beach on the north coast of Scotland.

This is a B&B, so additional income opportunity if required: www.pollardproperty.co.uk/properties-for-sale/property/9696319-shore-street-thurso

And this needs a little updating, but you have £100k spare to do it: youngrobertson.co.uk/properties/gillock-park-olrig-street-thurso/

(And that's one of the best surfing beaches in the world they look over - Thurso East).

Herne bay is a lovely area and not too busy, I have a couple of friends who have moved there recently and they absolutely love it.

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-93290720.html

Would he compromise with a lake? Plenty like Bala in Wales where he can do all that.

Lancing, Ferring, Shoreham, Saltdean, Telscombe, Newhaven, Seaford, Littlehampton, Bognor etc it would be a small probably doer upper, but you could do it.

Weymouth. Main beach is busy ( and not suitable for water sports) but the beach stretches a couple of miles and is much less busy and good for the activities you mention. Really worth a look.

I think this thread has proved over and over again that your DH is right OP! What a lucky position you are in with 100s of in budget options and the ability to move anywhere along the miles of beautiful coast available.

Lancing? Between Brighton and Worthing. Lots of 4 bed houses under your budget.

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-87466079.html

Not 4 bed but close to village and beach in budget and loads of potential with big garden

My friend lives in Folkestone and loves it. You can get SO much for your money down there. We went swimming in the sea a couple of weekends ago, it was lovely and warm!

I think you don’t really want to love, hence not being able to ‘find’ the right house. This is your husbands dream - not yours, hence the obstacles. Many on this thread have come up with houses that fit your criteria.