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

Those saying north - come on! The weather means that there is a very big difference in terms of a 'beach lifestyle' in the north versus the south coast!

I live in worthing, just 10 miles from brighton but without the crowds and with cleaner/nicer beaches. Lots of houses for £400k, good schools, nice vibe.

suffolk. i went to the beach last week in 32 degrees and sunshine and saw 4 other people there.

there are good schools, good towns and not so nice bits. i live in a town with a not-great reputation (which is actually a very nice place to live) but there are towns and villages on the outskirts (Woodbridge, Framlingham, Holbrook, Alderton/Bawdsey) with great schools and 20 minutes to deserted beaches. only an hour on the train into London as well.

I was coming on to suggest Eastbourne or Pevensey Bsy as I live in Eastbourne. Or Lee-On-Solent/Gosport/Stokes Bay Area as my sister lives there. Emsworth is lovely too

Worthing/Goring-by-Sea and Ferring are worth looking at. Popular beaches but not rammed at all. Littlehampton is much cheaper but not as nice.

@itchyfinger

I live in worthing, just 10 miles from brighton but without the crowds and with cleaner/nicer beaches. Lots of houses for £400k, good schools, nice vibe.

I was brought up in Worthing, it really is a great place to grow up without the sky high house prices and crowds

I live in the Bournemouth and Poole area and as others have said, even during high season there are plenty of nice beaches to go to. Locals don't really go to Bournemouth Beach.

Also echoing other posters, when you live by the beach you tend to avoid the super hot days and busiest times anyway. We tend to go early evening when all the visitors have started heading home. Sun doesn't set til well past 8 in the height of summer.

Another vote for Worthing. We live in London but often go down there to the beach. You even get sand when the tide is out. Not that busy at all and lovely promenade for longboarding etc Probably not surfing territory but great for SUPing and other stuff. Some nice restaurants and a leisure centre with sea views.

And a vote for Folkestone and surrounds too. My MIL lives next door in Hythe (a very attractive town) and we know friends and DH’s colleagues who live in West Folkestone and surrounding villages. Again, not that busy at all, lovely coutryside etc.

You know Brighton isn't actually crazy mental busy apart from when the hoardes descend in a few weekends in high summer?

Keep your eye on property here - a small four bed you can get for 425-450 in e.g. Hanover, but prices are going down.

Wales? Newton beach is good for surf. House prices tend to be around £500k but you might get something for the £400k mark if you don’t mind a short drive

I haven't read the full thread but it's worth remembering that the beaches are only packed for a couple of months of the year. Most of the year will be much quieter.

Also COVID and stay-cationing means they are more packed than usual.

I know what you mean though. I often think it must be a nightmare living in a town that gets descended on by crowds in the summer.

Another vote again for Norfolk, but I certainly wouldn't go for Happisburgh, as a PP suggested - it's beautiful, but disappearing very rapidly - at a rate of several metres a year.

If you did end up on the amazing north Norfolk coast, I'd strongly advise to stick to a town. Apart from having the main amenities close by, a lot of the coast is being eroded. There are procedures for a managed retreat in place, whereby the towns will be protected, but most of the villages and more isolated places on the coast are being left to the mercies of the sea. If you prefer village life, go a few miles inland.

Seaford?

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-77761933.html

Hordle near Lymington.

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-81257023.html

Southsea

Worthing is DF and I best kept secret! He was brought up there and parents still live there... we are hoping to relocate there at some point.

I think 400k would be a stretch depending on number of bedrooms.

Dane Road, Seaford
www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-71705589.html

I love the Isle of Wight. It was my childhood and I'd love to go back.

Loads of modern or traditional houses, town, beach or countryside. Check it out!

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/find.html?locationIdentifier=REGION%5E61521&minBedrooms=4&maxPrice=400000&propertyTypes=&mustHave=&dontShow=&furnishTypes=&keywords=

Not RTFT but Worthing would meet your criteria!

However, if you want actual surf you really need to go to the South West - Devon/Cornwall and Wales.

You will be able to go to the beach anytime, it won't be a hardship not to go when it's seething with people! People I know who have done it say it has changed their life.

Great points, Cheshire Cats. Not good to be too cut off.

Came on here to say Pembrokeshire , especially south Pembs. I know it's quite far from the south east though.
BUT
Amazing beaches, surfing and other activities. You will get a lovely house for 400k down here. I'm in a 4 bed detached house in a nice area and paid £174k (probably worth 200k now). We live 5 minute drive to the closest beach.

I feel you might be largument that OP, but perhaps enjoying the options suggested?

Folkestone or hythe