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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:
BikeRunSki · 31/01/2021 11:08

Swansea

Original poster
ShutUpAlex · 31/01/2021 11:08

We’ve looked at South Wales as my fiancée really loves it there and the houses we can get for our budget are really nice and big which is what we’re after. We have kids too so need good schools.

OP posts:
HelenaJustina · 31/01/2021 11:10

We holidayed in Southsea (Portsmouth) last year (it was almost the only place left!) and had a fantastic time.

TheOtherMaryBerry · 31/01/2021 11:10

Hull. It's got loads going for it now (honestly it's great) and it's half an hour drive at most to the beach as well as having lots of waterfront development. Plus you're not too far from North Yorkshire loveliness.

TheySeeHerRowling · 31/01/2021 11:11

I grew up in Southsea and love the area but it's declined since I moved away (coincidence? I wonder...Grin). Palmerston Road used to be fab for shopping with 2 department stores but was awful last time I visited, a year ago. The bit I lived in, near South Parade Pier, is still lovely though with the parks and the massive Victorian houses.

Maybe the Bournemouth/Poole conurbation? Lots going on there (normally) and epic beaches but be prepared to spend a lot of time in traffic...

DuesToTheDirt · 31/01/2021 11:11

Edinburgh. From my house I can walk to the beach or to the city centre. Bit far for you maybe? (And cold!)

emsyj37 · 31/01/2021 11:12

We live on the Wirral and have a sea view. Just about to go for a walk on the beach now! It's not the same as a Cornish beach on a summer day tho Grin
Liverpool is 20 mins on the train, Manchester is in reasonable travel distance although I wouldn't like to commute there every day - a few times a week would be ok.

makingmammaries · 31/01/2021 11:12

Whitley Bay

Waxonwaxoff0 · 31/01/2021 11:12

I used to live by the sea, Exeter a half hour away but I wouldn't call Exeter a big city.

Nonamesavail · 31/01/2021 11:12

Southampton. New forest side. Boat over in 10mins or 20min drive. Coastal.

Camomila · 31/01/2021 11:13

I live in Brighton (in land towards the downs though) If you want to live right next to the sea Shoreham and Rottingdean/Peacehaven are both nice. Shoreham is a bit more 'cool' if you have young DC.

CrotchetyQuaver · 31/01/2021 11:14

New Forest.
Bournemouth, Southampton and Salisbury surround it.
1.5 hours from Waterloo on the fast train.

happinessischocolate · 31/01/2021 11:14

I'm not sure why people are suggesting southampton, it's on the river not the coast and I'm pretty sure it doesn't have any beaches

YouJustDoYou · 31/01/2021 11:15

Bournemouth, we are deeply, deeply happy here, SO much for the children to do (and many things for free right on our doorstep, like the beach, forests etc), husband commutes out of the area for work so internal traffic isn't an issue, only thing right now is that with covid the whole country decends on the beaches here as there's no where else to go, but in normal times it's just the best place we have ever lived. We're never moving.

Sciurus83 · 31/01/2021 11:16

Yes, Newcastle. Stunning beaches but definitely colder than down south!

Peanutbutteryogurt · 31/01/2021 11:16

I live in between Portsmouth and Chichester along the coast. Not really swimming sea but great walks and wildlife and kayaking. Also very near the South downs and lots of countryside

Arrierttyclock · 31/01/2021 11:16

South Wales is near a city and plenty of beaches

BathshebaKnickerStickers · 31/01/2021 11:16

Aberdeen. Big city, international airport, fabulous beach

devildeepbluesea · 31/01/2021 11:17

I live in the Vale of Glamorgan, about 3 miles from Cardiff. 10min train ride to city centre. Last summer we spent many, many after-school evenings at one of the beaches in Barry (10 mins drive). I also have a vast tract of woodland a 5min walk from my door which has some beautiful walks.

I love where I live.

Arrierttyclock · 31/01/2021 11:17

There are some very good schools in South Wales

Rainn21 · 31/01/2021 11:18

Wirral is close to Liverpool and Chester and easy commute to Manchester. Nice beaches on Wirral and Liverpool but not ‘seasidey’. Wirral also has a number of excellent secondary schools and quite a few Grammar schools.

KatyClaire · 31/01/2021 11:19

Edinburgh. Right on the Firth of Forth and one of the greatest cities in the world.

Mascaramademehappy · 31/01/2021 11:20

We lived in Cornwall and have also lived between Southampton and Portsmouth. Such a good balance there of city, beaches and forest.

givemedaffodils · 31/01/2021 11:21

Depends what you mean by big city. Most of the suggestions here are small cities/large towns.

Not the same at all.

Seeline · 31/01/2021 11:22

Plymouth
Brighton
Swansea
Chichester (has a cathedral so kind of a city)
Portsmouth
Norwich
Bristol