Coastal living but with decent city/town close by

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Where would this leave me?
I know:- Brighton, Broadstairs, Deal, Rochester, Whitstable are all quite nice. What's Chichester like? As that's close to lovely coastline. Where else? Anywhere in the UK!? I'm southeast so am aware of southeast choices.

Realistically we'll be staying in England but never say never. Wales might be an option. Also border country. Probably not way up into Scotland.

I am craving coastline and space BUT I also love city living. I miss London daily but unsure that I'd like to be there at this time in my life with children.

I also am loving the idea of bringing them up near the sea. They always seem so relaxed and happy pottering about in the sea air.

I'd be happy with a town that had a bit of buzz going on. Doesn't have to be a city. But I would need something close by, which rules out, say Suffolk - much as I love it I think I'd go a bit crazy after a while.

Anyway, hit me with your dreamy coastal suggestions!!!

It kind of all hinges on your budget associated with housing needs...

Hove? You can walk into Brighton but it’s not as busy.

Chichester is an old cathedral city, very different from Brighton! Brigton’s vibrant;with lots of young people and students; hen and stag parties; great shopping including lots of quirky independent shops.
Chichester is much more ‘middle class’; there’s very few bars and no clubs and so there are students out but no where near to the same extent; less shopping but everything you’d need; some small independent shops but they are mainly for homewear.

I’m live between the two so I know them both well!

Exeter

Penarth in South Wales is gorgeous. Cardiff a short local train away. Excellent quality of life, good schools. We’re very happy!

Come North! Tynemouth is gorgeous and 20 mins into Newcastle

If you're "craving coastline and space", I would look beyond the SE. The south coast always feels very urban and overcrowded with cars to me.
I would think finding the right city is the most important factor as there are attractive seaside / country places near many cities. I'd be looking at Exeter / south Devon coast or somewhere near to Cardiff - the Vale of Glamorgan which is the lump which sticks out between Cardiff and Swansea is very nice.
Both Exter and Cardiff are definitely cities not towns, and they both have a big university which is good for a youthful vibe and lots going on.

Poundbury is 'niace' and close enough for a trip to Sandbanks for beautiful beach. Train to London takes just under 3 hours. By car it's about 50mins to Bournemouth an hour and a half to Southampton or Exeter the other way ...
Poundbury itself as great pubs and a fab Waitrose, a garden centre and various independent boutique type shops etc and is full of either wealthy retired or ranger rover driving mums with children called Tarquin or Farquhar ! ( I may have made that last bit up !!)

Whitley Bay and cullercoats are a good alternative to Tynemouth.

Chichester is lovely. Fabulous place for youngsters. It is demographically older than Brighton so you feel young forever but it’s also got a good sense of community. It’s very difficult to go into the city centre without seeing someone you know.
No nightclubs - although planning is in for one, it’s likely to be rejected.
That’s not a huge problem as those wanting later nights go to Portsmouth, Bognor or Brighton.
Schools are very good. State offers a choice of Outstanding catholic secondary in Barnham, Outstanding CofE in Chichester, non denominational high school is good Ofsted rating. A few other choices around too.
There are no independent secondaries in the city. People board or travel to Portsmouth, Seaford, Lancing etc. Good preps though.
Good theatre with one of best youth theatres in the country.
Good restaurants.
High house prices though.
West Wittering is sought after coastal village with one of most beautiful seascapes in the country. Private beach and access to national trust owned East Head.
Good watersports and sailing all around the harbour.

The Welsh coast within diving distance of Bristol and Cardiff.

North Berwick - lovely town but commuting distance from Edinburgh. Good high school too.

I live near Whitstable, not a lot going on there but it is nice (and naice) and very near Canterbury and quite close to London plus not far from Dover for trips to France/Belgium. Obviously not cheap though.

Exmouth is lovely. There's a little train [as in just a couple of carriages]
that shuttles between Exmouth and Exeter.

Plymouth

Silverdale and Arnside (Lancs/Cumbria border). Close by to Lancaster, not a huge trek to Preston. Other smaller towns nearby are nice too. Well served by trains.

Echoing the tynemouth/Whitley bay type suggestions I’d vote for the north east. Easy travel into Newcastle (just hop onto the metro) and the beaches are gorgeous. Lovely countryside options too.

Thank you. Lots and lots to think about 😬

If you would consider moving up north.

The wirral has fantastic coast lines. Regularly voted one of the best places to live in the uk.

Theres liverpool, chester with in a stones throw and not million miles from manchester.

North wales and cheshire countryside on door step. Whilst semi rural village or market town feel on the wirral.

I know you said you probably wouldn't move as far as Scotland, but Portobello in Edinburgh has a mile long beach of golden sands, easy access to East Lothian countryside, and is a 15 minute bus ride from the city centre.

Have you thought about Southsea? Right on coast, lovely independent restaurants and bars, close to Portsmouth with Gunwharf for shopping and direct train to London.

I live in Whitstable. I love the contrast, from walking along a deserted beach in winter, to Blean Woods and having Canterbury only six miles away.

Plus it’s an easy train journey to London for a day out.

Worthing? We moved here from Brighton a while ago. The beach is lovely (especially out towards Goring). It's not unusual to get the place to yourself. Even during the summer, week-days are gorgeous.

The town itself is up and coming with lots of people moving here from Brighton and London. We now have a growing pub / cafe / art / music scene which still feels a bit 'secret', like Brighton did many moons ago.

It's not perfect, parts of town are still an eye sore but we've found it to have a good balance of things to do without being overly hipster .... yet!

It's 12 miles from Brighton, less than 20 mins by train so evenings out or working in Brighton are easily doable (before escaping back to a bit more peace and quiet).

Norfolk coast? Old Hunstanton is pretty close to King's Lynn and the train in to Cambridge and London. Or further around the coast and closer to Norwich?

Another Scottish contender is the East Neuk of Fife. The villages of Crail, Pittenweem and Elie are stunning.

Your nearest city would be St Andrews (not really a city) with Dundee and Edinburgh easily within reach. Perth and Glasgow also nearby.

If you miss London but want sea air etc then you sound like Brighton would suit you (could never be described as rural living though!)