With Rightmove reporting in March this year that Cornwall has now superseded London as the most searched place for movers on its website and the Yorkshire Post lauding Whitby in North Yorkshire as topping the list of most popular seaside towns and villages for house hunters, it appears that a good number of us do like to be beside the seaside.
Working from home and the enforced reduced pace of life that lockdown brought during the pandemic gave many of us the time to think about our work-life balance and our options in achieving that once the restrictions lifted. Relocating to the laid-back, relaxed feel of one of the UK’s many now largely more affordable seaside towns seemed to be one such option.
In this article, we take a look at five of the most popular seaside locations from around the UK according to Rightmove for homeownership and rental.
Whitby – North Yorkshire
With its dramatic Gothic backdrop and beautiful mix of Georgian and Victorian houses, it’s little wonder that recent research by Rightmove found that Whitby is the number one place for those seeking to relocate. Sitting at the mouth of the River Esk, the town boasts Blue Flag sandy beaches with The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs giving the water quality a rating of excellent. Unemployment rates in the town are lower than the national average, according to data from Nomis and with a thriving entertainment area in West Cliff and some wonderful restaurants to visit and shops to explore, Whitby is a great option for everyone, no matter what stage of life you are in.
Zoopla show data that the average house price in Whitby between May 2021 and July 2021 was £242,571 with rental prices in July 2021 starting from £700pcm.
Newquay – Cornwall
The aforementioned reports of Cornwall now outstripping London as the place to relocate to saw Rightmove hail Newquay in April 2021 as the most popular choice in the property market amongst those looking for a place by the sea. In the first quarter of the year, 8 out of 10 homes on the market for sale being sold subject to contract, Newquay really is the hottest and fastest mover in the property market.
Newquay, with its rich fishing history and stunning, dramatic coastline make it a very beautiful place to be. Over 7 miles of coastline and expansive sandy beaches such as Fistral Beach and Watergate Bay are a natural draw for surfers and those seeking the peace of the seaside alike.
Nomas reports that unemployment in Cornwall for Jan 2020 to Dec 2020 stood at 4.0, 0.6 below the national average for Great Britain for the same period.
With Zoopla showing figures of the current average price of a house in Newquay as £336,662 and rentals starting at £450 pcm, Newquay might well be the ideal seaside retreat choice for you.
Ayr – Ayrshire
For those seeking relaxation in retirement, from the stresses of work or with the children away from school hours, Ayr could be just the answer. Boasting some of the best golf courses in the United Kingdom, some with views across to the Isle of Arran, a thriving racecourse and a scenic sandy beach, there are entertainment options galore. Walks around the area are beautifully scenic and plentiful in number and the Robert Burns Museum provides a fascinating look into the life of Scotland’s National Bard. Learning opportunities are plentiful with some excellent schools in the area – perfect for relocating families. Zoopla declare, as of July 2021, properties to rent start from £325pcm and the average sale price of a property in Ayr from May 2021 to July 2021 is £164,42
Caister-on-Sea – Norfolk
Famous for its rich history of the lifeboatmen saving lives of those in peril at sea and the ruins of a 15th Century castle overlooking the sea, Caister-on-Sea is so much more than just a seaside town in Norfolk. The lifeboat station has stood in Caister-on-Sea since 1791 and the Visitors Centre draws many to the area. Caister Beach, with its sand dunes and mix of pebbles and sand stretching for miles, is a draw for those seeking relocation in a peaceful, relaxing place. Boasting a low crime rate and an Ofsted outstanding school, it’s easy to see why the area is so popular amongst relocators. Zoopla report the average sale price of a home in the area over the last 12 months was £213,264. Rightmove show rental prices starting from £825pcm for July 2021.
Porthcawl – South Wales
Wanting to escape the hustle and bustle of the city often equates to moving to the exact opposite – a sleepy location where little happens. But what about those looking to relocate who might still want a vibrant social scene but without the pollution of the larger towns and cities? For those seeking a seaside town away from it all but still with a heartbeat, the largely Victorian town of Porthcawl with historic links to the coal and mining industries could provide the answer. The dramatic rocky coastline and sandy beaches draw windsurfers and surfers alike and families too can find some fun and relaxation – Rest Bay has an award-winning surf school. The town boasts an attractive seafront theatre – The Grand Pavillion, a seafront esplanade and a thronging High Street offering a mix of shops and businesses provide job opportunities for those coming to the town to seek a different life. Nomis shows that for the period Jan 2020 to Dec 2020, the unemployment rate in Porthcawl stood just over 1% lower than the national average. According to Zoopla, the average sale price of a home in the area from May 2021 to July 2021 stood at £310,000 and Rightmove shows rental properties starting at £475pcm in July 2021. If your appetite for a move to the coast has been whetted after reading this article, we’d love to help your dream become a reality. With over 170 high street offices, we are sure to have an office local to you. On our website, you can use our handy office finder tool to find details of your local office. If you have a home to sell, to enable a relocation to an idyllic seaside town, click here to book a valuation.
