AIBU to hope for a fresh start by the sea on £250k

[RussetDreams]

I am mid fifties and want a new start. No family support. AIBU to think I can find a house by the sea or in a low-crime market town with a maximum budget of £250k? Any ideas?
YABU - budget is too low
YANBU - these places exist

Cromer or Sheringham, North Norfolk. Both liveky, seaside, Cromer has a good small local hospital, beautiful surrounding countryside

I agree, there are some beautiful options out there. Dsis has high ceilings, a beautiful tiled entry way and small garden all 2min walk from the beach and surrounded by independent shops, restaurants and great walks.

Check out Kent seaside towns too OP :).

I moved to Deal about 5 years ago and it is a lovely place to live with plenty to do, a lovely local community and easy access to places like Canterbury and London (fast train).

I moved in my early 50s and only knew two people! I feel so much happier, less stressed and I have a much healthier lifestyle here. I was born in a small seaside town and could not see myself grow old in London where I was living.

I would advise though to check out the seaside towns you shortlist in the winter to make sure you are happy living here all year around. The sea wind can be really cold in winter and of course you need to be able to enjoy the almost constant seagull noises :).

I would also look at Sandwich, Walmer and Folkestone/Sandgate. Ramsgate and Margate are not everyone's cup of tea but there are some lovely houses there and Margate especially has improved and there is a thriving art and cultural scene.

Examples of property in Deal around 250k There seems to be quite a few flats as well under budget if you do a search.

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/88293234#/?channel=RES_BUY

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/165468353#/?channel=RES_BUY

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/171436028#/?channel=RES_BUY

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/166622123#/media?id=media1&ref=photoCollage&channel=RES_BUY

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/90443637#/?channel=RES_BUY

Haha. No not Whitehaven. Yes the hospital situation does get a bit worrying the further up you go but where we are I'm quite happy with the provision.

Yes, I’ve considered this and it would have be Truro.

I agree with all of this.

OP you've got lots of new suggestions here to look at and explore but my advice, FWIW, is that actually the more restrictions you have, ie. the more 'must haves' or mustn't haves, the easier it is to narrow down what will actually suit you.

It can sound pedestrian rather than the wild freedom of just "running away to the seaside" but the basics matter - transport, roads, airport if required, shopping, leisure facilities, GP, hospital, internet provision, the weather - windswept and lashing rain might sound dramatically romantic but for your forever it's probably just going to be bloody annoying.

Now you've got lots of place names and areas make your 'this is me' list and view everything through that filter.

TLDR: There are countless nice houses in nice places in the UK, being clear about your required framework will help guide your choices. Good luck.

It is keeping it secret 😔

OP the places you could live are endless, I think you need to narrow it down by considering what else you want access to. Airports for overseas travel, cities for theatre/concerts, shopping, hospitals, wider choice of restaurants etc.

Also are you wanting to sea swim and if so, how hardy are you? The North Sea is always colder than the Irish Sea for example.

But I don't know why people are saying Bridlington is 'run down', that's not my experience at all and I visit at all times of year. The old town is beautiful.

@AImportantMermaidhas made an excellent shout with Southsea.

For sure, Reddit will probably say that Portsmouth is a bit of a rough military city. But it has its fair share of very nice redeveloped/gentrified areas and I guess you’re unlikely to be out clubbing on a Saturday night….

Southsea is genuinely lovely - vibrant High St, indie restaurants. The beach is large pebbles and very pleasant and there’s always something to watch; shipping, ferries, the IOW hovercraft.

Being within a “suburb” of Portsmouth would mean you have access to the major infrastructure facilities - direct trains to a large range of destinations including London, hospitals etc.

My Rightmove trawl suggests a shit tonne of landlords are selling up. I’d say it’s a bit of a buyer’s market down there.

Wishing you lots of luck in your search! The sea makes everything feel better!

Yes, I’ve thought of this and am open to inland market towns.

Thanks, I certainly won’t be out clubbing and it’s good news (for people in my position) that landlords are selling up.

Beverley, East Yorkshire is lovely and lots of 3 bed houses on Rightmove under budget. Not far from Hull and York for city amenities, also near the coast.

Sorry, I havent read every post

Lee on the Solent, Hampshire, village feel, the house below is 2/3 minutes walk from the beach

I know you said no flats but you could probably get a house for the right price

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/166230089#/?channel=RES_BUY

I’m fairly hardy but not wanting to swim in the sea.

I’m making a list as this post is three days only. I’m grateful for all the suggestions made.

Thanks - I’ve got all the pedestrian thoughts and this isn’t an impulse or whim, I’ve been thinking about it for a while.

Deal and Hythe are nice places. Small towns, with small theatres, shops, on the beach, high streets but with the added bonus of being able to get to larger places like Folkestone, Canterbury or London easily.

Wales has some lovely spots, Gower is beautiful and close to Swansea. We like Llandudno and it’s quite well connected by train to Chester.

Margate, Ramsgate, Hastings - all bigger and a bit run down but have some nicer parts.

Like all seaside towns, visit in winter to get a true picture.

Some very nice properties on this thread. We are also planning to move to the coast in retirement.

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/88968777#/ North wales but not on the coast.

If you want coastal & very nice try conwy, rhos on sea or maybe llandudno.

Pedestrian is very good! 😄

I think also the TV image of crying when you view a house that's "the one" is such a ridiculous concept that has pervaded house hunting since the advent of those type of programmes.

In reality it really is all about location and the bricks and mortar don't have to be perfect.

I remember speaking to a couple who wanted to move to where we live but "hadn't found our perfect house yet" - they'd been looking for 5 years!!!! I pointed out that they might want consider that "80% now is better than 100% never" and that they could have had 5 years of living here in a not-quite-perfect house if they'd looked at things differently. But each to his own.

I think I need to live in Wales!

If you are open to inland market towns, can I suggest Skipton, North Yorkshire.

No sea, admittedly but plenty of stunning views, and it has a lovely swimming pool. Next town along (Ilkley) has an open air lido for swimming.

Beautiful countryside, very close to the Yorkshire dales, loads of walks straight from the town, walking along the canal is lovely, it runs right through the centre of town.
Loads of amenities in the town, great library, cinema, pubs, restaurants, cafes, independent shops. Great sense of community, lots of events throughout the year.
It’s a popular destination for tourism (and has a fantastic castle) but it doesn’t get deserted in winter or particularly overrun in summer, just a buzz all year round.

Well-connected -direct train service to London (I think at least one per day) plus frequent direct trains to Leeds, and Bradford, and the historic line to Carlisle, easy to get to Manchester too, and the Lake District less than an hour away. Direct train to Morecambe for a taste of the coast.

You could get a little stone Victorian terrace for well under budget, or something more modern with a garden would be affordable too.

I agree. Southsea would be a good option. Yes there are rough bits to Portsmouth but Southsea has lovely open green space, theatres and restaurants etc

not sure Workington fits the vibe you are looking for…. I know it and wouldn’t want to live there.

Ayr is an absolute shithole.

Try Bude in Cornwall!
Lovely area,I'd live there! Was on holiday there last week, got speaking to a couple who moved there in February and bought a lovely 2 bed for £250k