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

[DoILikeToBeBesideTheSeaside]

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)

Oh goodness, what a lot of very emotive replies! Thank you. The sea obviously effects many of us.

I think i was hoping to log on and everyone would have said - No, go for the better house.

I will read and digest more thoroughly tonight.

You could compromise and move half way. On reflection I feel very lucky growing up where I did. A lot of coastal towns don't have great opportunities and its hard to fit in as a newcomer ( a problem I had when I lived in Dorset) in your situation I'd consider the suburbs, you get the benefit of countryside and a semi rural community too.

Could you still get a bigger house in parts of Surrey, Sussex or Hampshire for example?

Very interesting thread, I have a strong urge too and agree re the peace of being near the sea... Definitely calms me. I wasn't brought up near the sea but both my parents were... They both mention they miss it still.

OP which coastal area are you thinking of?

I think if you have the call of the sea you just do, my DH has, its part of him. I have always lived by the sea but can take or leave it, give me rolling green hills or wild moors anyday - lucily I can access either where I live. If you love it go for it!

I am a 5 minute walk from the beach and love it. I walk by the sea every day (have a dog) and am constantly amazed by how frequently it changes depending on the weather, the power of the sea (can be frightening in winter and have seen some amazing and destructive storms) and the light on the water. I think I am very lucky.

I love the sea, and enjoy visiting it. But I wouldn't want to live by it fulltime. I would find it a bit scary in wintertime to be honest. Remember the floods etc we had a few months ago, massive waves rolling in and so on? With erratic and changing weather patterns (global warming?) I can only see this getting worse in the future, and possibly many coastlines getting gradually eroded.

Or maybe I am just a wimp.