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

Losing the argument

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.

What do you mean by 'quiet'?

There are a lot of towns on the South Coast that aren't expensive and have plenty of shops, but the population is quite elderly.

On the other hand there are some quite remote places in Devon/Cornwall/Wales that have a more 'surfy' young atmosphere.

Between Eastbourne and Bexhill are long stretches of (pebble) beach that have plenty of space even in August.
Bit more down at heel than Brighton but there are some nice family areas which should be within your budget.

Weymouth?

Birchington in Kent would fit the bill

Aberdeen. City beach and an international airport....

I wouldn't go anywhere on the south coast personally, nor the west coast of England because of the tide. If I was prepared to live in the north (I'm not because of distance from family) then I'd go to the west coast of Scotland or Northumberland. I'd avoid the south west because of the distance from family too. Personally I'd live a bit inland but close enough to go to the beach after school/work.

If you both rely on good internet connections to work from home, I'd ensure you'll have access to before you buy a house. A lot of smaller areas don't.

Shoreham by Sea West Sussex ...stunning

Read the OP and was about to recommend Worthing, then read the thread. But seriously, Worthing is inexplicably not crowded. You can literally see Brighton from Worthing, but it just never gets crowded. Loads of independent shops and restaurants and plenty of kite surfing, paddle boarding, sailing, rowing sea swimming etc if that’s what you’re after.

Isle of Wight

Around Brighton, you have Saltdean which is by the sea and doesn't get rammed. Also, Shoreham-by-sea where my friend lives just back from the beach and while it does get a bit busy when the weather is really good it's nothing at all like Brighton proper. I went night sea swimming with her the other week and it was glorious.

There really are lots of places near the sea that you can get a decent house for at your budget and that are not rammed all year round.

Exmouth

[quote FenellaVelour]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[/quote]
I was literally about to link to this house, bargain and right next to the beach, I’d live there if I had £400k

Some ideas here. You don't have to live right by the beach, do you? Anything within 15-20 minutes drive should be easy enough to get the use out of it.

even on days when the media was all over 'overcrowded; brighton, I've had some lovely days at Rottingdean - half an hours busride away, and property probably cheaper.

Frinton/Holland on Sea are quiet - and sandy beaches rater than stones.

Rye and rye harbour.. wind surfing and paddle boarding.. 5 mins to the endless sandy beaches of Camber.. (gets busy on summer days but huge) pebbly quiet beach in other direction.

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-83200291.html

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

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

I wouldn't go anywhere on the south coast personally, nor the west coast of England because of the tide.

I am intrigued - what is wrong with the tide?

Please don’t suggest a move to Pembrokeshire. We are sick of people from the South East moving here and then moaning that the primaries are welsh language, looking down on Welsh people, and driving up the house prices so that only English people can afford them.

Pembrokeshire, possibly in the smallest city in Britain. University city. At David’s. Also mountains, countryside and seaside To hand. www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-72522306.html

Devon and Cornwall and south coast very busy.

@scrapthatthen 100% I am.
But on the positive side, SO many amazing suggestions and lots of food for thought.

I hadn't considered Folkestone at all, and it's cropped up a few times - I know whitstable but don't know anything about F/S so might be worth looking into.

I'd actually love to move further north but we can't at the moment due to family ties. DH is now making noises about maybe in the future needing to occasionally commute to London so I think I'm going to send him this thread and let him do the legwork!

Thanks for all the amazing suggestions, if anyone has any others do keep them coming - I LOVE looking at houses, so even when I'm getting frustrated about locations, the legit being able to nose at properties is still fun.

@SirVixofVixHall I can't go that far but I Love Wales and promise if I ever do move that way I would never complain. I love the welsh language, I think it sounds magical and would never have a negative word to say about it.
In fact if I moved I think I'd try to learn and probably (sadly) butcher it! I'm sorry you have to put up with that!

I used to live in Eastbourne and I and my kids still miss it! It's lovely (if you don't mind stone beaches) and wonderful for children, lots of excellent schools. Don't be put off by its reputation as an old folks town -- that's changed completely, lots of families. We were all very happy there, and houses are much cheaper than Brighton. Lots available for under 400k. And the beaches aren't too crowded. Mostly you have to look out for seagulls. I even miss them!
Beautiful areas for walking on the South Downs, Beachy Head and Seven Sisters and Birling Gap nearby.