Living by the seaside has always been a dream for many people, but it seems that over the last year, more and more people are making a move to the beach a reality.
Imagine this wonderful view right on your doorstep.
With a coastline of about 7,000 miles, and with nowhere more than 70 miles from the sea, there are plenty of choices when it comes to where to live on the coast, and the tide of people moving from the cities to the coast seems to be only gaining in momentum.
The coast of England is so varied, from the buzz of places like Brighton to the quaint sleepy fishing villages of the North Coast, that finding an area to suit your lifestyle and aspirations will be easy. Unfortunately, properties on the coast are so popular that finding the right home may not be so easy.
So in this week’s home moving blog, we offer you the ultimate guide on moving to the coast. Find out about the best places to live, what to expect when moving to the seaside, and more.
Moving to the seaside would appear to be a done decision if you had the opportunity to move there. But before you throw in the towel and head for a life by the beach there are a few things you should consider to make sure that this is the right move for you.
The Advantages of Living by the Sea
How could you not want to live in such a stunning place?
Quality of life – The sum of all the other advantages of living on the coast, your quality of life will improve in so many ways.
Healthier Lifestyle – From fresher air, wide-open spaces, to stunning surroundings, living by the sea offers you the opportunity to live a healthier lifestyle. It encourages you to get outside, enjoy a walk or watersports, even just people watch on the seafront.
Tourism – Whilst tourists will also feature in the list of disadvantages, the advantage of tourism is that there will be plenty of attractions and things to do. Local amenities and facilities may have extra funding too to cater to the tourists, and many coastal towns and villages receive grants for improvements that will attract visitors.
The Views – At every turn, there are going to be stunning views for you to enjoy. And imagine those glorious summer sunrises and sunsets.
Culture Shock – Many coastal towns are as cosmopolitan and lively as any large town or city. If you are moving from the city to the sea, then the culture shock of the move would be far less than moving to an isolated village in the country. Of course, this depends upon where you choose to live, but the transition shock of moving out of the city is not something which you should ignore no matter where you choose to live
The Disadvantages of Living by the Sea
Summer crowds may take the shine off your seaside home
Cost of Living – Property, whether buying or renting, is notoriously expensive in coastal regions. And if you are considering a particularly popular place on the coast you may find that everything is more expensive, especially during the peak tourist season.
Property Maintenance – Salt air will erode and decay wooden window frames, for example, so your home maintenance costs may be higher.
The Weather – We all dream of lazy sunny days on the beach but the reality is that the coast is often wetter and windier than inland. Winters can be particularly cold as the wind whips in off the sea.
Coastal Erosion – Whilst not a problem in all coastal towns and villages, there are certain parts of the UK coastline that do suffer from erosion. Many areas have invested in sea defences over the last few years but it is worth checking to ensure that your dream home is not at risk of falling into the sea in the near future.
Lack of Jobs – If you can work from home or only need to commute to the city for a few days a week this is not too much of a problem. But if you need to find work locally then often jobs are low-paid seasonal work.
Tourists – Depending upon where you are thinking of moving to, the coastal roads can become clogged with traffic, the beaches full, your peace and quiet may be shattered, and you may have to contend with hen and stag parties every weekend.
Infrastructure – Some areas may not have such a good internet connection or infrequent public transport. The roads may be narrower and not as well maintained. You may also find that out of the tourist season many places are closed so choose your location carefully.
The advantages and disadvantages of living by the sea can vary enormously between different parts of the country. Many coastal regions have benefitted from regeneration and investment whilst others have been unchanged in decades. Some cater to tourists, whilst others are a nature lovers paradise. There is definitely something for everybody, the coastal regions of the UK are as varied as the individual needs of those looking to move there.
Decide what your priorities are, what lifestyle you want to live, whether you need employment or schools, and what your budget is, then head for the guides below which will introduce you to the best places to live on the coast of England.
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Beach towns often have close communities who uphold local traditions.
Many will base their assumptions about living on the coast upon holidays or day trips they have made there. But the reality of living by the sea can be very different, in both a good and a bad way.
And with such a wonderfully diverse coastline, with such different places to live, what you can expect life to be like on the coast will depend upon the location.
No matter where you intend to move to on the coast though without a doubt you will benefit from a more outdoor way of life, the air will be cleaner and feel fresher, and your quality of life will improve.
In some places, you may experience hostility from locals who don’t want outsiders coming in and driving up prices. In other places, they will welcome newcomers with open arms.
Some of the larger coastal towns will be diverse and have many cultures already established there. Some smaller coastal villages may not be so accepting of your culture, the way you dress, or your family setup.
In some places, you may find that during the summer beach towns are overcrowded and not particularly nice places to be. In the winter you may crave human interaction or for the shops to reopen.
If you are very house proud then you may want somewhere with a pebble beach or you will just have to accept that a bit of the beach will come into your home every time you open a door or window. As you know, sand will get everywhere and be impossible to get rid of.
There may be inconveniences that you will encounter such as a long school trip every day or a very limited public transport system, especially during the winter months when there may be a reduced service.
Parking is often a problem in seaside towns. Many homes will not have driveways, garages, or allocated parking, the streets are often narrow, and the town may have very strict parking policies.
Maybe for the first time, you will taste truly fresh seafood. Imagine sat by the sea, looking at the crashing waves as you eat your lunch of freshly caught seafood, straight from the boat to your plate in just a few hours.
And one thing you will have to get used to is that amazing smell of salty sea air. On a par with freshly mown grass, it has to be one of the best smells ever, invoking the feeling of long hot summers and a carefree life.
Living in a beach town may require a change of mindset, the pace of life may be slower, there may not be the choice of shops that you are used to or the type of nightlife or culture that you currently have.
With more people now holidaying in the UK and overseas travel not being so easy, it is inevitable the beautiful coasts of the UK will see record levels of tourism for the foreseeable future. It should not be underestimated how this can impact your quality of life, I know people who actually move out of their seaside home during the tourist season as it can be so unbearable. This is of course true for any beautiful part of the UK, coastal or countryside, but it is something that you should be very aware of.
The key to making the right choice of place to live on the coast comes down to plenty of research. Even having done lots of research, many people still choose to rent in the area they want to live in before making a final decision on where they will settle. This makes great sense and if you rent long enough to be able to experience both winter and summer there you will have a far better idea of what you really want.
You may like to try the questionnaire on www.coastmagazine.co.uk which, after a short quiz, will suggest some of the best places for you to live on the UK coast.
Seaside and Country Homes Scheme London
Are you thinking of moving from London to the seaside? Did you know that if you live in London and meet the criteria, that you can get assistance to move to the south coast?
Within Cornwall, Lincolnshire, and Norfolk there are numerous opportunities to move to coastal towns along the South Coast with the assistance of the Seaside and Country Homes Scheme.
From bungalows to one and two-bedroom flats, many with private gardens or communal areas, if you are over 55 then this may be an ideal way for you to realise your dream of living by the seaside.
You can find out all you need to know about the scheme at www.london.gov.uk
Moving to the North Coast of England
Robin Hoods Bay
The North Coast seaside towns and villages have always offered a wonderful quality of life and more affordable properties than those on most other UK coastlines, although prices on the North Coast are rising rapidly and homes are in short supply.
From traditional seaside towns with piers and promenades to coastline teeming with wildlife and breathtaking scenery, the North Coast offers something for everyone.
The seaside towns here tend to be small and quaint, filled with history, period homes, and traditional values. With the added bonus of being surrounded by beautiful countryside as well as some golden sandy beaches, it is easy to live an outdoor lifestyle here.
But you should, however, be aware that the North Coast suffers from coastal erosion.
With the East Riding of Yorkshire having soft sand and clay sediment, combined with North Sea storms, this part of the North Coast is particularly susceptible to coastal erosion, with some parts experiencing a loss of up to 4 meters a year, as reported on www.hulldailymail.co.uk
Many places along the coast have put in place sea defences, but erosion is something to be mindful of as home insurance costs will reflect this risk, not to mention the fact that you may find your dream home disappearing into the sea in the future.
Going to Live on the North Coast of England
It would be impossible to do justice to all the great places to live on the North Coast in this short guide, and of course, everyone’s wish list is different when it comes to their dream home by the sea.
Equally, house prices are so unpredictable right now, and homes are in such short supply, that giving you an accurate average home cost is very difficult. Whilst the housing market remains so buoyant it is best to use an estate agent’s website to see just what is available within your budget.
3 Most Popular Places to Move to on the East Riding of Yorkshire Coast
Discover the average weather for any part of the North Coast at www.weatherspark.com
If you are moving to the North Coast you will need to register for council tax which you can do online with the local council. Find your local council contact details at www.gov.uk. You can also see what tax band your new home is in as well as a range of other useful information about local council services.
You may also like to read: Moving to the North East of England in which we look in more depth at the region as a whole, give average property prices to both buy and rent, and offer you the pros and cons of moving to the North East of England.
Moving to the East Coast of England
Holkham Beach Norfolk
Whilst the East Coast of the UK has its share of family-friendly resorts, it is most famed for the wonderful scenery and wildlife that this beautiful area offers.
There are some wonderfully quaint and historic villages dotted along the coastline whilst you are never far from somewhere to just sit and bird watch, a pastime that this region is well known for.
Historically popular with older people, the East Coast now attracts families from all over the UK who want to live the dream of living by the sea, not have such cold and windy weather as the North Coast, and do not want to pay the hefty price tags of the South Coast.
3 Most Popular Places to Move to on the Lincolnshire Coast
Find out the average weather for any part of the East Coast at www.weatherspark.com
Find your local council contact details at www.gov.uk. You can also see what tax band your new home is in as well as a range of other useful information about local council services.
Moving to the South Coast of England
Lulworth Dorset
The South Coast offers those with deep enough pockets some stunning places in which to live.
With excellent amenities, close proximity to both the sea, countryside, and London, and with some of the best weather in the UK, it is no wonder that many people choose this coast as their home.
The South Coast is blessed with a rich history and this is reflected in the huge range of heritage attractions to be found here. There are many coastal towns that offer you a wide variety of nightlife, that are multi-cultural, have excellent schools and infrastructure – everything a large town or city could offer you but with the added bonus of being right on the beach.
Many high-tech and cutting edge businesses have chosen the south coast to base themselves, so it is possible to have a good career within easy commuting distance of a home by the sea.
And dotted along the coast you will find many quieter and quaint villages that offer a wonderful escape and a slower pace of life. Home to many artistic and creative types, these small fishing villages offer better value for money homes, often with a tighter community feel.
And for the days when you fancy doing something away from the beach, the beautiful South Downs National Park is right on your doorstep.
4 Most Popular Places to Move to on the Dorset Coast
Find out the average weather for any part of the South Coast at www.weatherspark.com
Find your local council contact details at www.gov.uk. You can also see what tax band your new home is in as well as a range of other useful information about local council services.
You may also like to read the Ultimate Guide to moving to the South West and The Ultimate Guide to moving to the South East in which we explore these wonderful regions in more depth with average property prices to rent and to buy, as well as the cost of living comparisons and guides to the towns and villages of these regions.
Moving to the North West Coast of England
St Annes Pier Lancashire
The North West Coast of England offers you traditional seaside resorts such as Blackpool and Southport, the stunning views out across Morecombe Bay, historic little villages like Heysham, up to the rugged coast of Cumbria with some of the most wonderful coastal scenery in the country.
With cycle routes, coastal walks, golf courses, nature reserves, and areas of outstanding natural beauty there are plenty of opportunities for an active outdoor lifestyle or to just relax in the wonderful nature that will surround you when you move to the North West Coast.
Most Popular Place to Move to on the Cumbria Coast
Find out the average weather for any part of the West Coast at www.weatherspark.com
Find the local council contact details at www.gov.uk. You can also see what tax band your new home is in as well as a range of other useful information about local council services.
You may also be interested in reading about this area in more detail in The Ultimate Guide to the North West of England in which we look at average property prices to rent and buy, the cost of living in the North West, and discover other parts of this great region that you may consider moving to.
Deciding where to move to next can be a daunting project but you will find lots more useful information in our home moving blog which has a whole range of guides to help you decide where to move next.
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