Relocating to south coast

[Nicnocnosocks]

We currently live in Hampshire on the Surrey and West Sussex border. For various reasons I really don't like where I live and we're looking at moving. After considering a few places local to us, and places in the North, we're now considering moving to the south coast.

We don't know any of the areas particularly well. We don't know anybody there. Jobs aren't an issue. I realise it's a mad and not very well thought out plan but has anyone got any suggestions for lovely places to live along the south coast of England. Only stipulation is ok schools and not full of people on the waiting list for God (we live in a very 'old' town and it's one of the reasons we hate it).

The south coast is a broad area! Have you got a rough idea? That will help people answer.

Are you thinking as far as West as Devon/Dorset, as far a East as Sussex/Kent?
Are you looking for town or village? What do you value?
The coast of Dorset for example is very affluent in Poole, quaint and picturesque in Swanage, deprived, but lively in Weymouth. Just examples.

What is it you don't like about where your are now, and what are you after?

right on the coast or inland by say 30 mins?
what budget for housing?
Senior school or primary?
village, town, large town

without the above info I'll say Chichester because I wish I could live there.

Budget? Lifestyle wants?

We mean the whole way (including south West like Cornwall) and potentially Kent if it fits the bill.

We are considering Chichester and have looked at houses there but we go there quite a lot so I'm keen to explore areas that are further afield.

My children are primary school age.

A few reasons I don't like where I live; people are very very snobby (no chatting, nursery parents can't be bothered to say hello, everyone is a bit identikit, my 'village' is full of old people who hate newcomers), we are in a village but it's large and bland and there's not much to do or see (so neither interesting or picturesque). Schools are good though.

Budget about £550/600k so not huge. Preferably not a town but don't mind rural or village or sea. Probably 30 mins max from the sea unless I'm missing somewhere amazing to live inland.

One of the reasons for moving is to get a decent garden and for us to have a good outdoor lifestyle.

I'll still say Chichester! but add Romsey, Wimborne, New Forest (as long as you dont want to get in and out for work), Dorchester (maybe a little quiet but great countryside and coast).

We relocated to Battle, East Sussex. 15 mins to coast. Good schools. Reasonable house prices for SE. An hour and 20 to London.

I’d love to live in Hampshire. Where are you now if you don’t mind me asking. I’ve always loved Winchester and Romsey. Lymington and into the new forest.

Purbeck in Dorset, good small village schools leading to a couple of good secondary schools, a lot fo the villages including the two nearest me have active communities although in a tourist area.

I guess it just goes to show how much Monopoly money is in the system when 550,000 to 600,000 is “not huge.”

We moved to Folkestone (Kent coast) on an impulsive whim last year and our only regret is we didn’t do it sooner. There are good links to London (thanks to HS1) and so much to do for families; idyllic countryside and beaches on the doorstep and tonnes of gorgeous period properties at decent prices. Lots of investment into the area too so it seems there’s loads more of exciting things to come (eg they are currently building some one-of-a-kind indoor urban sports park that’s going to be unique within Europe). Can’t recommend it highly enough 😁😁

Just noticed your budget - you could get a lovely sized family home with a bit of land for that in Folkestone. People are very friendly too, DH and I have both noticed how much more welcoming and inclusive the majority of folk here are! No school gate cliques and always a social event to attend or a new bar/restaurant to try 😬. Plus there are loads of WhatsApp and FB groups for newbies to get out and about as there are lots of people taking advantage of the good commute times and releasing equity from their London properties to get something bigger and nicer down here 😁😁

wherewithal, completely agree, one of the reasons we started looking in the North as we'd get more for our money. But as much as I dislike it, it is a sad fact that in this particular area that budget doesn't get you a huge amount (I live in a 3/4 bed house, and while I don't mind the space in my house - not large but ok for my area- my garden is tiny and I would love something more for the kids to run around in).

Thank you lurksnolonger, that's a great recommendation, I'll let hubby know and we'll have a look. X

Kategrey, I live in liphook so it's literally right on the border of three counties. Agree the places you've mentioned are nice. I think it's as I've become a parent of older children I've noticed the difference between North and south in terms of friendliness.

Thank you fivegomad and ajptaylor x

We’re in the south (Essex commuter town) and I don’t find it that friendly here. We like the north a lot as I did live in Yorkshire but we have family ties here and kids with special needs so feel slightly trapped as they’re settled at school.

I was going to say Folkestone, I see someone above has already!
I'm there quite a lot and the change over the past few years is immense, you also still get quite a lot for the money.
The West End heading towards Sandgate reminds me a bit of Battersea a couple of decades ago. The Lower Leas coastal park is full of families at the weekend, picnicking and bbqing with friends, small independent bars, coffee shops, delis are thriving. Your budget will get you something very attractive, prob sea view. With he high speed so close, and the tunnel, London and France are so easy.

Whitstable/Rye? Small towns, good schools, some lovely surrounding villages. We also like the South Downs area around Lewes. Lewes has loads going on and is quite bohemian. Dorset and Devon too - we like Totnes.

Can't believe how much property you get for your money in Folkestone! It's worth a look so we'll probably go and have a visit to see what the areas like.

Like the sound of Lewes too 👍

Isle of Wight?

Ok secondary schools are a bit pants, but lots of the primaries are lovely and you're 10 minutes from the sea tops!

Let me know if you need any pointers 😁. Happy to help 😁. When you visit Sunny Sands is lovely for kids, as is coastal park and Harbour Arm has an amazing atmosphere. Also the creative quarter have free drop in art/craft mornings for kids most weekends if you want to have a coffee and chat to others that live here 😁

Hi @Nicnocnosocks I just wondered if you ended moving and if so where! I am in exact same situation as you but in a Surrey town. We are considering the North or south coast with primary aged kids and we don’t want to get it wrong. If it was south coast it’d have to be East or West Sussex or Dorset. Did you find anywhere that suited you and your family better?

Ilfracombe?

I’m always amazed by the love for Folkestone on mn. We moved away to the south west in 2004 after 20 years there and still visit in laws in Hythe (which is lovely). I do think Folkestone has improved and the harbour area is better but the schools are only good if your dc can get into the grammars or the system really lets them down and the deprivation and drugs is pretty bad. Saltwood and Lyminge are lovely but I’ve never had the desire to return in our visits.