Top 4 coastal cities to live in England

Living close to the ocean has many benefits. The sight and sound of the waves boost our mental health and lower our levels of cortisol, the stress hormone, while the coastline provides ample opportunity for physical exercise from stand-up paddleboarding to stirring clifftop walks.

Why limit yourself to getting these benefits during your summer staycations? Moving to the seaside will help keep you healthy and happy year-round. You might think of seaside spots as seasonal tourist traps or remote and rundown, but these coastal cities are far from it. Bursting with child-friendly facilities, cool cafés and restaurants, job opportunities and modern homes, these are all ideal places to settle down with your family.

1. Exeter, Devon

Although technically not on the coast, Devon’s county town is just a short drive from some of the region’s best beaches and offers endless entertainment besides.

An ancient city with Roman roots, Exeter has a wealth of historic attractions including its glorious gothic cathedral and mysterious medieval passages that snake beneath the city and Powderham Castle, a great day out for kids. Dartmoor National Park is on the doorstep for outdoor adventure, and you have easy access to one of the top 20 universities in the UK.

2. Southampton, Hampshire

Commutable from London via a two-hour train journey, Southampton is a popular spot for families looking to escape the capital and be closer to nature. It is also historic but more lively than laidback Exeter with a bustling port, frequent city-wide events and diverse dining options.

Thanks to the development of new houses in the suburbs of Southampton, plenty of affordable accommodation options with modern standards of sustainability and functionality are available. In the city centre, there is a choice of properties to rent or buy to suit all budgets.

3. Newcastle, Tyne and Wear

Discover the delights of the Northumberland Coast from Newcastle which sits just shy of this shoreline on the River Tyne, 8 miles from the North Sea. Renowned as a popular party spot for stag and hen dos, Newcastle is more civilised than you might imagine with a thriving arts scene, polished cycle-friendly centre and charming suburbs each with an individual character and varied facilities.

Its metro system and major railway hub make it easy to cross the city and journey out to quieter day trip destinations, including the historic city of Durham, Alnwick Castle and Beamish.

4. Hull, East Yorkshire

One of the cheapest cities to live in England in terms of rent and property prices is Kingston upon Hull, a recent City of Culture with bags of character. Its harbour has been done up in recent years and it is now an attractive array of restaurants, bars and shops just a short walk from the historic attractions and museums in the centre.

The Deep, an enormous aquarium and research centre that juts out over the ocean, is a major attraction that draws tourists from far and wide, but otherwise, the city remains largely little-visited, and residents bask in total tranquillity.