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Original poster

Do you ever get over wanting to live by the sea?

57 replies

DoILikeToBeBesideTheSeaside · 07/05/2014 23:11

We're looking to move house. I've lived in London for many years but grew up in the South West. We are trying to decide whether to move to the coast or be inland (about an hour from the sea) but have a considerably bigger house.

As the desire to live by the sea is so intangible, and DH never has, it's hard to know just how important it is, ie where to put it on the list of priorities. Can I force the whole family to live in a smaller house, just to satisfy an inner something? How would I feel if I did and then only made it to the beach every once in a while?

(DH has said, BTW, that we can move somewhere as remote as I like once the DCs have left home, 12+ years).

Your thoughts greatly appreciated.
(Name changed for this)

OP posts:

Lagoonablue · 07/05/2014 23:22

I grew up living by the sea. Left home for uni at 18 and never returned. Well except for visits.

I love bing by the sea and would love to live there again. Nearest coast to me is 40 miles away though.

If it's doable then go for it.

mrsbrownsgirls · 07/05/2014 23:44

FORCE THEM TO LIVE BY THE SEA!
cant beat it!

FuckingPhilistines · 07/05/2014 23:47

I don't think it ever goes away.

You could wait until they're grown and gone though. I don't think there are many opportunities for young people in most UK seaside places.

YeGodsAndLittleFishes · 07/05/2014 23:49

Try staying right by the sea for a week. I mean RIGHT by it, in the middle of winter. Had a week on sea front at new year. Our bedroom window faces tight onto the sea wall where the waves came right over. Stones were going through the windows on slightly nearwr properties. Others were flooded. I didnt sleep that week. I still love the sea, but it put me off the idea of buying quite so close!

McPhee · 07/05/2014 23:50

Beach 5 minutes walk away.

Rarely go there

YeGodsAndLittleFishes · 07/05/2014 23:55

Yes, that was the other thing. After walking on the beach in winter in the wind, getting sand blasted and pebble dashed, it was absolute bliss to plod along a towny pavement for a few miles without getting soaked in seaspray (but partly because I could still taste, smell, hear and picture the beach in my mind).

BOFster · 07/05/2014 23:58

I don't think it goes away. Even if you only go to the shore when you need to, it's still in your soul to need that horizon.

Hiphopopotamus · 08/05/2014 00:01

I grew up living by the sea. I now live in London which I love, but I miss the sea. I feel a little landlocked sometimes! Nothing beats the sea breeze and the taste of salt in the air, even on a windy winters day.

burnishedsilver · 08/05/2014 00:11

My first reaction was the I love living by the sea but now that I think of it I never go to the beach.

DotToDott · 08/05/2014 00:19

i live right beside the sea and have done my whole life. i don't walk on the beach every single day, but just seeing and hearing the sea is enough.

i actually feel quite chlostrophobic if i'm landlocked for a long time, my dad gets the same.

i'd say go for it.

ajandjjmum · 08/05/2014 00:24

DH was brought up near the coast, and has always says he would love to live by the sea again. Maybe, in the future.......

BindiBach · 08/05/2014 00:27

I wake up every morning and open my curtains and there is the sea. I love it although I don't walk on the beach as much as I could.

PigletJohn · 08/05/2014 00:47

You will have the pleasure of seeing your car and lawnmower rust away before your eyes from the salt spray, and your windows will never be clean. Your hair will be tangled and sticky.

In winter you will be surprised at how big the waves are, and how far they carry in storms. You will get to know the people who repair your roof and fences.

In summer the roads will be clogged.

Have you spent much time by the sea when not on holiday?

AcrossthePond55 · 08/05/2014 01:10

You never get over it. I spent summers living at the beach & the rest of the year going there as much as possible (grew up 45 mins - 1 hour away) and would love to live there. Unfortunately prices for coastal property where I am (California) are outrageous so it'll never be. The best I can do is take our RV to the coast as often as possible.

mothermirth · 08/05/2014 07:21

This is exactly how I feel DoILikeToBeBesideTheSeaside. I'm currently trying to work out whether I can move my reluctant teenagers to live within sight of the sea. We live about half an hour inland now, and it's not near enough for me!

jasminemai · 08/05/2014 07:24

I live by sea in one of the warmest places in country. Places to buy are dirt cheap compared to London.

mothermirth · 08/05/2014 07:26

What worries me is that if we wait until the teenagers have left home, then wherever we have moved to won't be their home but that's a whole other thread.

bigkidsdidit · 08/05/2014 07:27

Not for me it didn't. I grew up on the south coast and pined for the sea ever since. I've just sacrificed a house for a flat so I can live 50 yards from the esplanade in a lovely little seaside town :)

Nothing beats it!

mothermirth · 08/05/2014 07:27

Where (roughly) jasminemai

Secretsquirrel13 · 08/05/2014 07:32

No it never goes away. Do it now so your dc have the benefits you had.

sillymillyb · 08/05/2014 07:39

I live by the sea and also never go - if I have had a bad day the drive home along the coast can really clear my head and lift my spirits though.

I hate it in summer - I can't get in to my local shops / cafes / parking places / parks. I also hate seagull shits on my car and how filthy my windows and doors get.

I'm moving inland soon and can't wait, but it's near enough to visit regularly so best of both worlds I guess.

bigkidsdidit · 08/05/2014 07:57

I'm guessing Dunbar...

Doyouthinktheysaurus · 08/05/2014 08:06

We live by the sea. I'm the only one that goes there regularly because I run along the promenade. I run more regularly in the South Downs but I can see the sea and it really makes for an impressive back drop.

I would never move away from the sea. I didn't grow up by the sea and I still get the same excitement when I see the sea that I did as a child on holiday. I love being by the sea, we are not dead close but within walking distance.

My dses like where we live but they don't get the same excitement because they don't know any different. DH grew up by the sea too so it's just normal for him.

The sea being there is very grounding and I feel at peace being by the sea.

If I were you I would be pushing to move within walking distance but not necessarily sea view close iyswim. Living by the sea is worth it.

bigkidsdidit · 08/05/2014 08:08

There are so many good activities for children too. Sailing clubs, rowing, rock pooling for little ones, birthday party sandcastle competitions. I'm really reminiscing now

Rumplestiltskinismyname · 08/05/2014 08:10

Me and my DH row about this lots. I have a constant deep set yearning to move and live by the sea. It isn't practical at the moment due to work- but one day, I will get my way I hope- as my urge is almost insatiable! Maybe I was a mermaid in a past life?!?

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