Whitstable in Kent has been revealed as the most in-demand coastal town for Brits to relocate to, thanks to its silky stretch of sand, median salary and relatively affordable house prices.
Research conducted by Compare My Move ranked over 150 coastal locations across the UK looking at factors including average temperature, beaches, quality of beach water, average house price and median full-time salary for residents.
The idyllic town of Whitstable — famed for its colourful beach huts and quirky harbour — took the top spot. It had the highest earnings than any other town, with the average salary coming in at £34,705, plus the top score for sea water cleanliness.
Meanwhile, Seaford in East Sussex, and Swanage in Dorset took the second and third spots, respectively, famed for their excellent water quality and brilliant beaches.
Are you looking to move closer to the beach? Take a look at the full findings below...
20 best coastal towns to relocate to
- Whitstable, Kent
- Seaford, East Sussex
- Swanage, Dorset
- Herne Bay, Kent
- Poole, Dorset
- Southbourne, Dorset
- Weymouth, Dorset
- Bournemouth, Dorset
- Camber, East Sussex
- Felixstowe, Suffolk
- Walton-on-the-Naze, Essex
- Barton on Sea, Hampshire
- Brighton, East Sussex
- Hythe, Kent
- Gosport, Hampshire
- Bridlington, East Riding of Yorkshire
- Sandgate, Kent
- Trearddur, Anglesey
- Barry, Vale of Glamorgan
- Folkestone, Kent
Dave Sayce, Managing Director at Compare My Move, explains that more people are looking for an out-of-city escape, especially since the pandemic broke out. 'It's easy to see why, with the UK being home to some stunning seaside towns and villages, but upping sticks and moving to the coast can be an expensive choice not forgetting the hidden costs such as solicitors fees for buying a house,' he explains.
'It's interesting to see the top coastal destinations being located so close to London, with the likes of Whitstable on the Kent coast, and Seaford in East Sussex, offering popular places for stressed Londoners to escape to, while still having transport links into the big city.'
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New home gifts: 20 really good housewarming gift ideas
This is a bestseller for a reason. This lovely gift set from The White Company includes the Seychelles signature candle, room spray and diffuser for a home that will smell truly delightful. This scent combines notes of evocative bergamot, bright orange and fresh coconut, with a hint of green jasmine, warming amber and buttery vanilla. Divine!
If you're looking for a practical housewarming gift, you can't go wrong with Smeg. If your recipient has a penchant for sky blue shades (and getting hands-on in the kitchen), then snap up this fabulous blender set for endless uses.
This antique-style candle holder is a brilliant gift for the person who appreciates a good tablescape. They can use it to dress their dinner table or simply style on a sideboard. It's handmade and crafted from high quality chromed steel with a brass finish, which gives it that antique look. Don't forget to buy some taper candles so they can set the scene right away!
This stainless steel map location key holder displays the location of a new home, the address and chosen names. It's a great idea that not only pays homage to a new neighbourhood, but keeps keys safe and in one place!
Is it a vase? Is it a book? This rather beautiful ceramic vase, shaped like a hardback book, is perfect for displaying dried flowers. Decorated like a classic novel with pretty floral details, this would ideally look at home on a bookshelf or mantel.
Championing consciously designed interiors, Nkuku is one of our favourites for quality, crafted pieces that will stand the test of time. A perfect new home gift, this decanter made from recycled glass has a lovely etched detailing on the base. If you've got a generous budget, buy the set of four tumblers to match.
Peonies are fleeting beauties and this lovely coffee table book captures this beloved flower in abundance. Not just for show, inside you'll find photos of blooming peonies alongside fascinating botanical knowledge and an overview of the plant's cultural history by author Anja Klaffenbach. The book series includes succulents, roses, orchids and lilies, so the whole (rather colourful) set would make a lovely housewarming gift for green-fingered types.
This one's a kitchen must-have. Other than chopping up vegetables for dinner, this round acacia wood board is a rustic way to serve up canapés and other tasty treats. Carved by hand in India, it's shaped and chiselled using traditional woodworking techniques.
Buying a housewarming gift for a new plant parent? You can't go wrong with an unkillable bundle. The set includes the cast iron plant, robusta rubber plant and the snake plant.
Make every coffee break a bright one with this cup and saucer set, just like those used across all the Grind cafés. We love the rich red glossy glaze and contrasting white trim on the plate and inner cup. You can choose from espresso (80ml), flat white (180ml) and cappuccino (200ml).
Organisation is key when creating a streamlined home, so we think this Kate Spade letter tray would make the perfect gift. It can be positioned on a console table or desk to collate letters and ensure everything remains in one place.
Even for those who prefer a neutral, pared-back home, the kitchen is an ideal space to introduce colour. We love these vibrant salt and pepper grinders by Alessi (sold separately) that will perfectly transition from a kitchen worktop to a dining table.
Another kitchen essential, budding or keen cooks will no doubt appreciate the viral Always Pan. No meal is off-limits with this colourful duo.
A kitchen staple, you can never have too many tea towels in our opinion. We've added these to the list because any style-conscious lover will appreciate the beauty of William Morris prints!
These glazed pastel stacking heart bowls are simply beautiful. Painted with reactive glazes, each has a distinctive finish which makes it all the more unique.
For the person who loves a scented home, choose from three scents: Black Pomegranate (black), Sea Grass (navy) and Nag Champa (mustard yellow). The set includes a gold foiled presentation box with 15 handcrafted incense sticks.
Give the gift of a lovely new photo frame, perfect for a sideboard or home office. This one's finished with an on-trend scalloped-edge in a glossy mid-blue hue.
Practical gifts will always be appreciated. The perfect home greeting, this rectangular coconut fibre doormat emblazoned with the word 'welcome' is a must-have for a new abode.
This is a brilliant personalised new home gift for cheese lovers. Sure to take pride of place in the kitchen, it can be personalised with a name of your choosing. It's cleverly designed too, with a hidden compartment containing a set of cheese knives.
There are some items that will always have a place in the home, and a versatile bowl is one of them. This one is made from intricately woven black seagrass and finished with a criss cross decorative pattern.
