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

With a bit of shopping about might Shoreham be an option?

Devon definitely- Bideford, Westward Ho!, Woolacombe?

Thanet and surrounding villages, also Folkestone.
You have to remember when you live near the sea beaches being rammed is not an issue when you live there are you don't have to make a day of it, I go early morning leave about 10:30-11 when it starts to get busy or late afternoon from 3 this has the advantage of not being out at the night of the sun.

Frinton
Whitstable
Herne Bay
Bexhill
Pevensey ( my Ex's relatives live in a huge house right on the beach there, it's lovely).
Bridport and surrounds

I'd be happy to live in any of them!

Dartmouth - a really good base, plenty to do

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-74266402.html 4 bed detached

We recently returned to the south coast for a holiday. The main tourist areas were rammed, but a 2 minute walk towards our old flat and the beaches were really quiet. Living near the coast means you can explore its quiet areas.

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-74266402.html 5 bed

Bexhill-on-sea is rarely packed with tourists and it’s a lovely seaside town.

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-95715998.html

Peacehaven?

What about abroad? Somewhere you can rent out when not there and spend school holidays there.

I crave the beach/water too but the uks beaches are mostly too cold and/or crowded. Devon is a very long drive too! You could be on a plane and there in less time than it currently takes to drive into Devon/Cornwall. And live near a social life/good schools. Here maybe you could live near a nice river?

South East there’s loads of small coastal towns on the beaches that don’t get too busy- check out Romney Marsh- not much going on but if all you want is a few pubs, convenience shops etc then it’s ideal.

Where did your DH grow up? Was it in the UK?

I think if he wants the surfer kid lifestyle where the whole family spends the day on sandy Fistral-esque beaches and then comes in for Rick Stein fish and chips then you're looking at Cornwall or Devon really. And the crowds. Otherwise if just general access to water is needed I'd second the Southampton and Portsmouth area.

The sandy beach at Bournemouth is several miles long. Dd and SiL took Gdcs there twice during the very hot weather and the beach where they went - not right in the centre but further out in a residential area - was not by any stretch of the imagination ‘rammed’ - there was loads of room.

Maybe you should spend a day looking around the area. The ‘scare’ photos in the media were by all accounts taken in the busiest, central areas - and taking them at an angle makes them look even more crammed.

Swanage is lovely.

Though you’d get quite a lot for your money in Weymouth. It’s not the most beautiful of towns but it has a fabulous beach, and direct train to Waterloo.

Example: Stunning Period Home Near Sandsfoot Beach, Rodwell
www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-83848996.html

Came on to say Lee-on-the-Solent but three others beat me to it. Renting a beach hut for the last year....kept me sane. Never seen it so busy but still SDing on the shingle.

Have a look at West Kirby on the Wirral x

Agreed if you live by the sea you just don't go when it's crowded! I go to the beach all the time, but in summer holidays I choose either evenings after work if I want the big sandy beach or otherwise for peak hours choose a little cove with a bit of a walk which I know will be quiet (even Aug bank holiday).

Shoreham/Lancing/Worthing.

Just look for towns along the coast from the places that hit the news. It’s all coastline.

Look for pebble beaches - we spend a week on the Solent and had the beach to ourselves. it was amazing!

Norfolk most definitely. Many of our beaches are not packed at all.

Even on the Bank Holiday when Bournemouth was rammed, beaches only a mile away had only a handful of people on them

True this. I live in Southbourne just along from Bournemouth, its a different world. The bay is 'seven miles of golden sand' and for six week of the year hoardes of people cram into a section less than a quarter of a mile wide.
A bigger problem around here is traffic, at any time of the year.

Another vote for Norfolk.

What about the Isle of Wight? The ferry is a bit of a barrier to people moving here so houses are much cheaper than the Hampshire or Dorset coast.

Have you considered Suffolk coast? It’s just beautiful and less crowded than on the south.