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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

House with sea view for £150k!

218 replies

MiddleagedBeachbum · 21/09/2023 10:04

I know IABU a little…. But I didn’t think it was possible to buy a house with an amazing sea view in England for £150k and I’ve just done it!!

It’s a gorgeous white fronted, 4 storey, 5 bed Victorian terrace, 200 meters from the beach in NW Cumbria, only 15 mins into the National Lake District Park.

I’ve been a single working mum for the past 20 years, held down a mortgage solo all this time and worked my arse off whilst raising my boy.
Now he’s 20 I can finally give him the childhood I wanted to 🤣

In 2022 I sold my house ‘down south’ at a peak price, and then waited and used the equity to buy this house outright. It’s been a scary leap as I was born and bred down south and had never been further north than Manchester until 2021 when I first came to the Lakes.

The house had been sat on the market for 6 months and so I ended up with 18% off the original asking price!

I wanted to share this, because so many people, like me, post pandemic are looking for a better quality of life and a simpler way of living - I feel I’ve found heaven here! Cost of living is cheaper up here, slower pace of life, strong community feel, tonnes of free things to do - sea, lakes, mountains!!

i’m still pinching myself that it’s actually happened, after all these years I can finally relax and enjoy life.

Except the house is a renovation project so that’ll keep me busy!

I hope I don’t upset anyone by posting, as I know all too well how hard it is when you’re struggling financially - in fact, I worked out if I hadn’t of sold in ‘22 I now wouldn’t be able to afford my mortgage so feeling so grateful I did.

Just wanted to share to inspire others and to share my good news that I can’t share in real life!

House with sea view for £150k!
House with sea view for £150k!
OP posts:
Original poster
MiddleagedBeachbum · 21/09/2023 10:36

AgentProvocateur · 21/09/2023 10:30

@MiddleagedBeachbum take a look at the insta account called whathavewedunoon - it’s a couple who bought a wreck in Dunoon, Scotland, and documents its transformation.

Oooh thank you, just followed them :)

OP posts:
TotalOverhaul · 21/09/2023 10:38

Beautiful! Congratulations.What a lovely project.

Are you in or near Whitehaven? I think it is one of UK's best kept secrets.

Original poster
MiddleagedBeachbum · 21/09/2023 10:39

Applebeard · 21/09/2023 10:33

Well done. Only 10 miles away in Cockermouth you'd pay three times as much for a similar property (and no sea view), and a lot more than that down the coast in Ravenglass.

The Cumbrian coast is very underrated. Doesn't have the cliffy drama of the the East Coast, but it has a charm of its own (and far fewer visitors!).

I know! Cockermouth is lovely, but I couldn’t justify the extra money for houses and like you said - no sea!

I have two large dogs, and I collect sea glass and drift wood (not worked out what to do with it all yet!!) and I also love cold water dipping so here just seemed to be our perfect place.

OP posts:
zoom1982 · 21/09/2023 10:39

Good for you OP! Cumbria is a gorgeous part of the country and I spent many a happy holiday there growing up in Manchester. It's lovely to read such a positive post here on Mumsnet. Sending you love and all good wishes for the future in your little corner of paradise😍

Original poster
MiddleagedBeachbum · 21/09/2023 10:41

TotalOverhaul · 21/09/2023 10:38

Beautiful! Congratulations.What a lovely project.

Are you in or near Whitehaven? I think it is one of UK's best kept secrets.

I’m 5 miles away, 15 mins drive or I can cycle there via a fab cycle network we have here that’s an old railway line, or you can walk via the coast.
There’s also a train station here I can hop on to white haven!

Yes White Haven is a great place.

OP posts:
Trickedbyadoughnut · 21/09/2023 10:41

Well done, OP! I'd love to live by the sea - one day :) Enjoy!

VivaciousRadish · 21/09/2023 10:41

This is the loveliest post. Wishing you every happiness in your new home. I’m delighted for you. I might even be a teeny bit tearful but I think I’m perimenopausal and happy things are having this affect. Just wonderful ♥️

Original poster
MiddleagedBeachbum · 21/09/2023 10:41

zoom1982 · 21/09/2023 10:39

Good for you OP! Cumbria is a gorgeous part of the country and I spent many a happy holiday there growing up in Manchester. It's lovely to read such a positive post here on Mumsnet. Sending you love and all good wishes for the future in your little corner of paradise😍

Thank you, and thank you everyone for the lovely warm wishes!!! Xxx

OP posts:
Highdaysandholidays1 · 21/09/2023 10:42

OP, you have done amazingly well, but I also hear the hard work you have put in, being a single mum for 20 years and renovating your previous house so you had one to sell. Plus many many people would be put off by the state of your house as is- I also bought an 'interesting' looking house and had to renovate (although the basics were fine) and it is hard work and I had my family helping. This hasn't been an easy life path I feel, and you have made the best of it and made it work for you, with a dollop of luck in there too. Lovely to hear your story and the start of your exciting adventures!

Applebeard · 21/09/2023 10:42

We moved to Cumbria (about 40 miles due east of Harrington) from London almost 2 years ago.

It really is a fabulous region. Endless stuff to do, jaw-dropping scenery, friendly, welcoming people. Absolutely love it.

Even the endless, horizontal rain has its own charm after 2 years.

JohnnyYenSetHimselfOnFireAgain · 21/09/2023 10:45

That's fantastic, it looks gorgeous! Many congratulations! I'm not jealous, honest... 😁

ghostyslovesheets · 21/09/2023 10:45

Fabulous! Well done OP, I’d love you to update from time to time

im a single parent, my youngest is 15. When she’s 18 I’ll be moving from this house in the Midlands back to my seaside home town and will also be mortgage free - I can’t wait!

LostThestral · 21/09/2023 10:45

that's amazing, wouldn't even get a 1 bed flat down South for that price let alone a beautiful sea view.

boxedandribboned · 21/09/2023 10:45

Exciting times! Good luck with the renovations and enjoy all that lovely fresh sea air!

Original poster
MiddleagedBeachbum · 21/09/2023 10:46

Applebeard · 21/09/2023 10:42

We moved to Cumbria (about 40 miles due east of Harrington) from London almost 2 years ago.

It really is a fabulous region. Endless stuff to do, jaw-dropping scenery, friendly, welcoming people. Absolutely love it.

Even the endless, horizontal rain has its own charm after 2 years.

Haha I hear you about the rain and weather!!

I was just telling my sister - it’s a gorgeous calm sunny day today…. The past 3 days whilst I’ve been logging furniture in and out has been wild, sideways torrential rain and wind that was blowing stuff out of our hands!

But yes, oh my goodness how beautiful is this area and the people are so friendly.
My neighbour has already offered to fix the log burner, chop wood for me and free tomatoes and potatoes from
his field :)

OP posts:
SisterMichaelsHabit · 21/09/2023 10:48

Saschka · 21/09/2023 10:21

Congratulations! Have you retired, or are you working remotely? Usually the reason housing is cheap in these areas is, despite the natural beauty, the jobs aren’t well-paid.

That sea view is lovely. DH dreams of moving to the sea, but unfortunately while he works fully remotely and can live anywhere, I don’t and can’t.

Yes this was what did us in, too. We made our money working abroad and bought the £150k house with no mortgage in a gorgeous secluded scenic location, as I worked remotely. Ours was in Ireland.

DH tried to change to working remotely, but didn't make any money from it, so when DD was born, we had to move to SE England last year when a job came up for him, and now we both have in-person jobs and are buying a flat with a mortgage. Total culture shock tbh. Feels like such a step backwards after having a gorgeous detached mortgage free home, but I'm hopeful that one day we can support ourselves and do what OP has done.

AnyFucker · 21/09/2023 10:48

Yes, that is a project but will be worth it in the end 😳

Enjoy the area and your new life to come.

Original poster
MiddleagedBeachbum · 21/09/2023 10:48

Highdaysandholidays1 · 21/09/2023 10:42

OP, you have done amazingly well, but I also hear the hard work you have put in, being a single mum for 20 years and renovating your previous house so you had one to sell. Plus many many people would be put off by the state of your house as is- I also bought an 'interesting' looking house and had to renovate (although the basics were fine) and it is hard work and I had my family helping. This hasn't been an easy life path I feel, and you have made the best of it and made it work for you, with a dollop of luck in there too. Lovely to hear your story and the start of your exciting adventures!

Thank you so much!

Yes, I know the life of renovation isn’t for everyone.
Im one of those people that crave the chaos and change - it enlivens me and gives me energy.
I carry many ADHD traits and wonder if there’s something in that means I can adapt and cope with the chaos and hard work.

OP posts:
HelpMeUnpickThis · 21/09/2023 10:50

Happy for youn@MiddleagedBeachbum

Itham · 21/09/2023 10:51

The pic of your socks and trousers made me laugh so much OP. We could be twins. Love a bit of DIY.

Original poster
MiddleagedBeachbum · 21/09/2023 10:51

ghostyslovesheets · 21/09/2023 10:45

Fabulous! Well done OP, I’d love you to update from time to time

im a single parent, my youngest is 15. When she’s 18 I’ll be moving from this house in the Midlands back to my seaside home town and will also be mortgage free - I can’t wait!

Wow that’s so exciting!! Thanks for sharing :)

I was waiting till my son was older to move, as didn’t want to separate him and his dad. In the past year before we moved he saw his dad 3 times in a year - despite his dad only living 15 mins down the road and my son driving.
Unfortunately his dad was always too busy with his new family, and now sends him ‘missing him’ texts but never actually makes any effort 🙄

OP posts:
GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 21/09/2023 10:52

Wonderful - so happy for you!

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 21/09/2023 10:53

MiddleagedBeachbum · 21/09/2023 10:48

Thank you so much!

Yes, I know the life of renovation isn’t for everyone.
Im one of those people that crave the chaos and change - it enlivens me and gives me energy.
I carry many ADHD traits and wonder if there’s something in that means I can adapt and cope with the chaos and hard work.

Show quote history

Gosh I think people with ADHD are the last people who could live with a renovation. All those different aspects to think of and work through at the same time, not being able to have clear systems to help you remember where things are.

PurpleSilver · 21/09/2023 10:54

You have made your own luck OP and deserve every ounce of your success - huge congrats, enjoy your renovation, and drink in that fresh air and financial freedom! A lovely story - thank you for sharing!

Original poster
MiddleagedBeachbum · 21/09/2023 10:54

VivaciousRadish · 21/09/2023 10:41

This is the loveliest post. Wishing you every happiness in your new home. I’m delighted for you. I might even be a teeny bit tearful but I think I’m perimenopausal and happy things are having this affect. Just wonderful ♥️

That’s made me teary now too!!

It’s such a shock / relief it’s going to take a while to process. I think to slow down and realise, I’ve got this.

Ive also told my son I’m never moving house again, when I die he’ll have to clear this house out as I’m not moving again 🤣

OP posts:
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