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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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goldcushion · 20/05/2023 11:03

I grew up by the see and left for my career. I truly miss it. I miss it every day. I saw it every day previously and now live inland uk 2 hours from the nearest beach. I am trying to work out a way to move back!

Livebythecoast · 20/05/2023 11:20

I live a 10 minute walk from the sea and harbour. We have a tourist beach which we avoid in the Summer but a lovely secluded less popular one very nearby. We love having a stroll down the harbour picking up fresh seafood and crusty bread.
My daughter grew up here (older teen now) and loved rockpooling when younger. She still goes to the beach with her friends in the Summer. When she was younger and we visited relatives inland, she'd always ask 'where's your beach?' !! I'd hate to move away but appreciate, it's not for everyone. 🏖🌊

Comedycook · 20/05/2023 11:22

Id love to live by the coast... seeing the sea every day would make me so happy

DrDavidStarKey · 20/05/2023 11:27

What about getting a camper van?

Ladykryptonite · 20/05/2023 12:09

Mould is not a problem in every property by the sea!

Cocolocobaby · 20/05/2023 12:48

Was born by the se. Now again , I live by the sea ( 5 hours away from orginal sea !)

10 Min walk from the house and I’m at the sea. I walk the pram for miles along the prom. It blows my mind . When I drive to work in the morning along the sea road I always think - life is so beautiful then i go to work and often face the bullshit ! My point is that the sea is incredible for my MH.

I feel extremely lucky to live by the sea . I realize it’s not for everyone but I love taking DH after school to throw stones or to ride on his bike while I push the smaller one along in the pram xx

Cocolocobaby · 20/05/2023 12:49

DS not DH !!!!

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 20/05/2023 12:54

I’ve always wanted to , all my life, and I’m now 44.

I managed it very briefly about 14/15 years ago, for six months, but then my exh forced a move back to London where we’re still both living (hard to move apart with co parenting)

I absolutely will manage it before I die!

Movinghouseatlast · 20/05/2023 12:57

Yes, I moved to near the sea ( 5 minutes walk from my house)

Yes it is all its cracked up to be! I really love it. I love looking at it, swimming in it, having a picnic next to it. Even a quick look cheers me up.

Morganchristie · 20/05/2023 13:06

I feel the same. I want to be near the sea and near a lot more open space. Sadly DH doesn’t share the dream and is quite happy where we are but I’m miserable. Are a bit stuck as kids are part way through secondary schools so don’t feel we can move them.

Is there anything to stop you moving?

allthewoes · 20/05/2023 13:14

No.

I am desperate to live by the sea, and hope once DH retires in a couple of years we will move (that's if we are still together, if not I'm definitely moving on my own)

The problem is, I don't want to live somewhere that gets overrun by tourists in summer so you can't leave the house...

ssd · 20/05/2023 13:15

Id love to live by the sea

Stickykidney · 20/05/2023 13:16

Recently moved a 5 min walk from the sea because I needed it and I love it. Every day I'm off I must go a walk down there. Or after work (9ish) just now go down with a can an sit and listen to the birds and watch the colours change. As pp said a quick glance driving past is enough to make me smile.

Divorcedalongtime · 20/05/2023 13:18

I grew up near the sea and have lived on the south east coast for years but j don’t now and I do miss it.

LunaNorth · 20/05/2023 13:19

@Darkandstormynite whereabouts did you move to, if you don’t mind me asking?

Ketchupgoesinthefridge · 20/05/2023 13:23

My husband and I moved to the coast of ireland and its the best thing we ever did. We are a 5 min drive from several beaches. Our 2 small children spend summer on the beach when the weather is good and even in winter we have spent time bundled up beside the sea. There's obviously seasonal traffic and the town is busier around summer, but it doesn't bother us too much. If you want to do it. Go for it. Its one of the most positive decisions we made for our family.

BelindaBears · 20/05/2023 13:29

I grew up 2 minutes walk from the sea and now live in a city which is 15 minutes drive from the beach (30 mins by public transport). I much prefer where I am now, the weather is better (no sea fret), far fewer seagulls and no tourists to deal with, but still near enough that we can pop to the beach after school or on a weekend if the weather has turned out nice, without it being a big deal.

If I had millions of pounds and could afford a lovely damp free house on a private beach that no one else could get anywhere near then I’d love to fall asleep to the sound of the waves. I wouldn’t live in a seaside town or village again though.

GloriousintheArctic · 20/05/2023 13:40

I lived in London most of my life. When me and OH were in our 40s we decided we wanted to move near the sea, and starting looking around - holidaying in various locations to see what might work. We were looking at towns like Brighton but actually ended up somewhere we hadn't been looking for, fairly remote, right by the sea on the edge of a village. There is nothing here but the beach so we don't get inundated with seasonal visitors. We get day trippers in a sunny August but they disappear in September, so not a problem.

Seagulls aren't a problem here, there are a few on the beach but they mainly hang out in the towns.

I love it. We've made a lot of friends, the scenery is fantastic, I walk on the beach most days, swim regularly. We've been here nearly 20 years, we would never leave.

BeanCounterBabe · 20/05/2023 13:41

YANBU. I live by the sea and love it. I have just walked back from the sea front and it’s buzzing today. Sea swimmers, kayaks, yachts, gigs, paddle boards. Just stunning in all weathers and all times of year. I started year round swimming two years ago which makes me appreciate it even more. I do live somewhere with a lot of coastal deprivation and the town centre is dire. It’s a really friendly place though and close to areas of stunning natural beauty.

Pigstrotter · 20/05/2023 13:41

Years ago I moved to be by the sea, unfortunately it came with a village full of busybodies. After a few years I moved back to civilization.

Changechangechanging · 20/05/2023 13:50

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.

I agree about the drawbacks, particularly the wind. Lots of our coastal towns are run down and badly neglected.

on the plus side, if you live on the seafront, de-icing your car of a morning is rarely necessary.

Ilikewinter · 20/05/2023 17:20

Id love to live by the sea, the only thing stopping me is work 😫. My dream would be to live near a hidden beach where my nervous dog could run wild and not be in a busy seaside spot. Maybe I need to buy myself an island !

Ladykryptonite · 20/05/2023 17:23

Pigstrotter, did you find what you wanted back in 'civilisation'?

Original poster
Petunia879 · 20/05/2023 19:51

Thank you everyone; it is good to hear about other people experiences. It seems the majority that live near the sea are happy.

We are tight to London for a few more years for work and maybe until the kids finish secondary school. They seem happy and settle in their schools and I don't want to disrupt everyone's life just because of me.

I think a camper van or holiday home could be an solution for the moment. I feel have grown a bit tired of London. I find the sea very calming, happy and relaxed when I am close to it.

OP posts:
LadyRos · 20/05/2023 19:56

I hate London most people are miserable and rude. I would love to live by the sea unfortunately not much work up there

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