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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To want to live by the sea

144 replies

Petunia879 · 20/05/2023 09:46

Do other people get this feeling? did you mange to move near the sea and it is what you imagined of or do you regret it.

I did not grow up near the sea; in fact I didn't go to the coast much as it was far.

I moved to London nearly 20 years ago and it has been good in many aspects but I love the sea and we travel as often as we can; it really is my happy place, every day I wake up with this feeling of wanting to move near the sea, somewhere sunnier than England though.

I yearn for natural scenery and open spaces and sun. I feel so ready for a change and want to discover and explore somewhere new. I have been feeling like that for the last few years, but the feeling of wanting to travel more and moving near the sea have gone more intense in the last year; maybe because now I am working full time for a more demanding role, but I do prefer it than the previous part time role where I was bored to tears; or perhaps it is getting older, more tired and wanting a different life style. I feel like I want to go away every weekend and not getting stuck in a big city.

I will go back to bed and keep dreaming for the moment.

OP posts:
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marmaladegranny · 20/05/2023 10:04

I get that! Never lived by the sea but have a similar longing. My solution is to spend a few days by the sea several times a year which is enough to satisfy my and enough to remind me that there are disadvantages like crowds and winds!

Stepbystep100 · 20/05/2023 10:10

I've always lived by the sea. My grandparents lived.ina house at the top of a beach slipway and my grandad was a fisherman. So, the sea is in my bones.

I've thought of moving as where we are is becoming disneyfied but my children (who have had to move away for careers).say I'll miss the sea.more than anything, as.thats what they miss.

I would definitely miss the "clear" air (albeit rather blowy at times). And access to the water for leisure.

AgrathaChristie · 20/05/2023 10:10

I did when I returned to Britain. It was lovely being able to walk on the beach each day, or along the cliffs. Lockdown was amazing, huge empty beaches almost to myself. Downside is the holiday traffic, expensive parking, some yob behaviour in summer ( but then that seems to be everywhere in Britain) I moved a couple of years ago and really regret it, my mental health was much better living by the sea.

DustyLee123 · 20/05/2023 10:11

I grew up by the sea but never went to the beach. It didn’t interest me.

Birdkin · 20/05/2023 10:12

Yes I moved from London to Brighton, the sea was a big draw (and the local countryside too, love being near the downs as well). It is really nice being able to walk down and see the sea, think it really helps my MH

LittleFreakJezebel · 20/05/2023 10:12

I live by the sea but couldn't tell you the last time I went to the beach! Can't be doing with all the sand

jeaux90 · 20/05/2023 10:12

My two friends both moved to live by the see on the south coast. They absolutely love the change of weekend pace etc I visit frequently.

CC4712 · 20/05/2023 10:14

I grew up abroad near the sea, then lived in central London for 20yrs. 2yrs ago DH & I moved to a coastal village. I can walk to the sea- but I don't have sea views. The dog loves the beach, the local village is lovely, we live on a quiet lane with lovely neighbours and open fields at the end. Best move we ever made.

The only thing I hate is the influx of Londoners in the summer coming to 'our' beach 😂

CremeEggThief · 20/05/2023 10:15

What's the AIBU here?😆

Yes my dream is to live closer to the sea again one day, but I was born and grew up near it for 18 years.

PastaPup · 20/05/2023 10:16

Definitely get it! Grew up 2 minutes walk from the beach, went to uni in a town and was so depressed throughout, now live 45 seconds from the beach and I wouldn’t live any further away than that. I hope to buy a house with beach views next year and I’d like to stay there until I die

Seaitoverthere · 20/05/2023 10:19

I always seem to end up living quite close to the sea but it doesn’t do it for me, prefer woodland. Sand is a PITA and I am not fond of seagulls.

HagsGlen · 20/05/2023 10:20

But from what you say, it’s not just that you want to live by the sea, you want to live somewhere sunny, abroad, by the sea? That sounds like a different thing to me to a pure sea-lust.

StandUpForYourRights · 20/05/2023 10:21

It is lovely but rural is just as good imo
.
There're some drawbacks.....
It's always 5 degrees colder by the sea
It's always windy
Seagulls are a PITA
Summer (tourists) is a nightmare

I live out in the country now and I love the scenery, little villages, walking, wildlife, woodlands.

bellabasset · 20/05/2023 10:22

I can see the sea over the rooftops from my bedroom. Driving home from work I'd see it on the way home, it's the air, countryside all around and somehow the more relaxed attitude of people. Unlike when I lived in London and hated public transport. I was brought up in London and never thought I'd be happier in the country

Singleandproud · 20/05/2023 10:26

My mum grew up in London and every one of her 8 siblings have moved to different coasts. We moved when I was 10 and it was the best thing my parents ever did. I love being able to pop to the beach with DD after school or after carrying out the normal Saturday chores, the car is kept 'beach-ready' from May until October half term for spontaneous trips. we are a 20 min walk / 5 min drive if taking body boards etc.

The downside of living by the coast is its cold in the winter, the wind can be very bitter. Job prospects where I live aren't great in the big touristy seaside town down the road and many work seasonally although I've never had a problem. House prices are relatively cheap here but that's because it's not a naice area, Southwold or Wells nearby are extortionate with many being owned by second home owners. Traffic is bad in the Summer a normal 10 min journey easily takes an hour and living in Norfolk the road network isn't great at the best of times. I wouldnt change it though, the benefits far out weigh the negatives.

icebearforpresident · 20/05/2023 10:26

Full prepared to be told I am a weirdo but I grew up beside the sea and still live there now. It’s nothing, it’s just there. We go down a few times over the summer for the kids to have a paddle about but the beach isn’t particularly nice so you wouldn’t want to sit there all day. I honestly don’t get the attraction.

The only benefit is it never snows, great as an adult with a commute but shit for the kids because every school in the area will be closed for a snow day and they’re still going it.

mumonherphone · 20/05/2023 10:26

I love living by the sea and couldn't not, the only negative is that there are less job opportunities usually in seaside towns. But that's not an issue for me.

Darkandstormynite · 20/05/2023 10:31

We moved to the coast 3 years ago and it's has been everything I'd hoped for and more. I said to DH recently, now I cannot imagine not living near the sea. I'm very lucky in that I can literally see it from my doorstep and watch the ebb and flow of the tide. I find it so soul enriching and soothing. I even love it when there's a big storm and the sea is roaring.

We lived in the home counties before and had never lived by the sea but wanted to make the move for the kids. Now they have a very different lifestyle than we had before. We walk to places alot more, on weekends we hit the beach summer or winter and in the summer after school the kids can go swimming in the sea with their friends. It's as close to an idyllic childhood as I ever thought we'd get. There's plenty to do when they get to teenage years and a lovely community feeling. I know more people here than I ever did back in our old home.

Of course there will be challenges when the kids leave uni and need to look for work, but I'm hoping we'll be able to help them onto the property ladder and give them a good launch into adult life.

So for us I wouldn't have changed our decision for a second. Best move we ever made!

EachFallenRobin · 20/05/2023 10:32

I lived in a city all my adult life then moved to the remote countryside ten years ago. It was glorious but so far from the sea, so a couple of years ago I moved to the coast and could not love it more. I can see the sea from my window and go to sleep listening to the waves. I don't go down to the beach everyday but just knowing it's there makes me happy. I love the winter storms and the summer gaiety of tourists. However if you're craving sun I'm not sure the British coast is for you!

Sunnyfeelgood · 20/05/2023 10:40

Why don't you make this dream a reality? You can always return if it isn't for you.

ohtowinthelottery · 20/05/2023 10:46

I grew up on the North Wales coast so spent most of my Summer holidays on the beach. I've lived in a land locked county for the last 30 years. I do miss the seaside but whenever I return to my home town I'm reminded of how much I hate seagulls (vicious noisy food thieving brutes who crap all over your car), struggling to find a parking space and trying to get on with everyday life whilst tourists stroll around with all the time in the world getting in your way! Much as I'd love to live near the sea it would have to be in an non- touristy area.

Toomanypots · 20/05/2023 10:49

I have that yearning too. Can’t imagine anything more lovely that being able to walk to the sea from home. That said I felt just as soothed in the Lake District so it might just be the call of water.

Pugdogmom · 20/05/2023 10:55

I work ( but don't live) in a seaside town. Much as I love the sea, I wouldn't want to live there. Tourists all summer, and it's too windy and I hate seagulls...🤣.
Known locally as " God's waiting room" as so many retired people buy a house there.
I do appreciate I'm grumpy though, and personally would hate to live there.

Singleandproud · 20/05/2023 11:00

Norfolk coast barely ever gets rain in the summer being the driest county, which means we are still in drought from last year but sunny days are the norm for most of the summer. Sticking wellies and raincoats on and taking a bucket and spade for children in the less traditional beach weather is also great as you tend to get the place to your self off season.

MyNectarineGivesMePeachVibes · 20/05/2023 11:03

I live by the sea, it's not all it's cracked out to be.

The mould problem is triple what I've ever faced elsewhere. That's my immediate problem now. Sorry I may be biased because of that.