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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Do you live near the sea and a city?

433 replies

ShutUpAlex · 31/01/2021 10:47

If you do, where do you live? We want to uproot and start new somewhere as we’ve had enough of Cornwall. I love big cities and my partner loves the beach so trying to find somewhere that has both!

Sorry not really an aibu but wanted a big range of answers so we can explore properties.

OP posts:
schoolsoutforever · 31/01/2021 18:15

I live in Southsea and it’s lovely and getting better every year. Beach is mainly stony but there is often a bit of sand. There’s a pier and loads of new nice pubs and restaurants. I brought my kids up here and it was great for doing so - good schools, parks, activities. I thoroughly recommend. Plus only a shortish journey to: London, Brighton, Winchester and other interesting place. Oh and summer weather is very temperate. In comparison, I grew up in Scotland and lived in both Edinburgh and Glasgow in my teens/twenties. Brilliant cities for culture, music and nightlife but Southsea better for bringing up kids, 30 plus etc. When I lived in Edinburgh I went to the beach maybe twice in ten years. Here I go nearly every day.

museumum · 31/01/2021 18:18

Edinburgh

museumum · 31/01/2021 18:20

@RaidersoftheLostAardvark

Where on earth do you go surfing from Glasgow?? Genuine question, I can't think of anywhere close. Edinburgh- well you'd struggle to get a 4 bed house for 400K anywhere with half way decent secondary schools, and does your OH really want to surf in the North Sea? I swam in it as a kid, never again!
Anywhere from Musselburgh out to Port Seaton is cheap, on the coast and near enough to the surfing waves.
tywysoges · 31/01/2021 18:20

Ogmore by sea and Porthcawl are very very popular with surfers. That side of the Vale is catchment for Cowbridge Comp, and Porthcawl Comp is decent too.

RubyViolet · 31/01/2021 18:21

Another vote for West Wirral. Hoylake, West Kirby, Heswall.
So much on the doorstep and 2 cities 20 / 30 minutes each way. An underground train across the Mersey and a high standard of living when you look at house prices.
North Wales and all that beauty just on the doorstep and The Lakes just a bit further North.

FoxyTheFox · 31/01/2021 18:24

Tynemouth and Whitley Bay both have surfing communities and your budget would go pretty far, more so in Whitley Bay than Tynemouth.

Five bed semi for £340,000 in walking distance to the sea.
www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/97027352#/

Another for £300,000
www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/77390190#/

And a four bed for £275,000.
www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/84311645#/

Or go nuts and buy a seven bed former B&B for £375,000!
www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/97012736#/

FoxyTheFox · 31/01/2021 18:30

Whitley Bay has a three tier system and Whitley Bay High School was graded outstanding in their last two inspections as was Marine Park First School and the middle school, Marden Bridge, was graded good but is improving and working towards outstanding.

AgentJohnson · 31/01/2021 18:31

The Hague. The city centre is a 10 minute bike ride away and the beach is a 25 minutes bike ride away. Amsterdam is a 45 train journey away and Brussels, Frankfurt, Paris and London have direct train services. The IKEA in Delft is a 15 minute car journey and an amusement park is a 20 minute bike ride away.

RaidersoftheLostAardvark · 31/01/2021 18:31

@museumum - honestly there isn't much on at 400K with 4 beds in Musselburgh/Cockenzie/Port Seton - it's still way more expensive (& colder!) than south Wales. A Cornwall surfer would get a real shock trying the water up here - the Gower is way cheaper & warmer.
Even the kids go swimming in wet suits in the North Sea - not like when I were't young...

XiCi · 31/01/2021 18:41

You're probably best in Ireland if he's a surfer though not likely to hit the 'big city' part of your brief

I might be best to tell everyone which northern accents in particular you hate so they can stop suggesting nice places. Should we exclude everything north of Watford Gap?

Original poster
ShutUpAlex · 31/01/2021 18:52

I don’t hate northern accents, I hate his over exaggerated attempts at them 🤣

I fear being surrounded by them 24/7 will just encourage him to do it all the time.

OP posts:
Colorindex · 31/01/2021 18:54

One big advantage to Brighton/ South coast is the lovely mild weather and higher temps that allow you to actually enjoy the sea and outdoors... I used to live Scotland and Ireland and although it was beautiful the weather meant we were outside a lot less.

toocold54 · 31/01/2021 18:56

My dream UK location is Cornwall.
A true example of how the grass is always greener.

100% this.
I completely agree OP.

I am Cornish born and raised but moved away. Once I had my DC I came back home to get closer to family but I dont really enjoy living here. It’s lovely but for me it’s the lack of jobs/opportunities.

It’s practically impossible to join a club or a gym. You need a car and end up travelling a lot just to do your shopping and things.

Enidblyton1 · 31/01/2021 18:58

@Icandothis123

Vancouver. City, beach, woodland and mountains all in one area.
This is clearly the winner. Nowhere else comes close.
wirldsgonemad · 31/01/2021 19:00

Newcastle has city and coast options.

Enidblyton1 · 31/01/2021 19:00

Or Granada in Spain - city, sea and mountains Smile

GemmeFatale · 31/01/2021 19:04

Can we please stop sharing how wonderful the north east is. I’m desperate to move ‘home’ and don’t need the housing or work competition.

gingercat02 · 31/01/2021 19:05

@ShutUpAlex don't move to any of the last 3 FoxyTheFox has posted. You don't want to live there!

Runforthehills82 · 31/01/2021 19:06

@ShutUpAlex I currently live on Gower near Swansea but I’m not originally from here. The beaches of Gower are stunning but Swansea is really not that great.
The people round here are generally very friendly but it can feel a bit insular, almost all of my friends are incomers.
We are currently in the process of moving, hopefully to another city or large town near the sea so I shall be reading your thread with interest.
I’m happy to answer any questions you have about the area.

Calledyoulastnightfromglasgow · 31/01/2021 19:20

There is a large surfing community in Dunbar. Lots of wild swimmers too. Hardy bunch!

XiCi · 31/01/2021 19:22

I don’t hate northern accents, I hate his over exaggerated attempts at them 🤣
Surely you'll feel the same about his attempts at a South Welsh accent then, or an Irish, or in fact any accent thats not your own

WelshyWanda · 31/01/2021 19:27

@Runforthehills82 I'd be fascinated to know which bit of Gower you're in, if not too outing. Is it Southgate by chance? Grin

I love Gower and live close...but as an 'incomer' (from the other side of Swansea!) there are many parts where I wouldn't live myself...the further out you go and the more rural you get, the more closed the communities seem ime.

Original poster
ShutUpAlex · 31/01/2021 19:33

He’s definitely set on Wales! So exciting!

OP posts:
Wtfdidwedo · 31/01/2021 20:03

@ShutUpAlex

He’s definitely set on Wales! So exciting!
Good choice! Are you thinking central Swansea or central Cardiff or somewhere in between? Just bear in mind some areas may only have Welsh speaking schools in their catchments.
omg35 · 31/01/2021 20:06

I'm in Swansea and it's lovely. 400k will get you a lovely house in the catchment for all the best schools- Olchfa and Bishopston both great. PM me if you have any questions and I'll do my best to help