You'll pay 27% over-the-odds to live in a seaside town
Each year, after a few days by the sea, we can see the attractions of living in a seaside town - with plenty of fresh air, sand and surf (even if the sun is sometimes a bit thin on the ground). Unfortunately, you're not the only person to fancy the idea of living by the sea, so if you want a slice of seaside life, you'll have to pay a 27% premium for your home - unless you can spot the seaside bargains.
A study by online estate agents HouseSimple.com found that average property prices in more than two thirds of the UK's most popular seaside towns are higher than the UK average.
In some cases, prices are eye-wateringly high. The most expensive identified by the study was Rock in Cornwall, where the average property will set you back an impressive £800,688. This is followed by Salcombe in Devon, where the average is £609,764.
The top five most expensive:
Rock (£800,688)
Salcombe (£609,764)
Padstow (£417,982)
North Berwick (£402,687)
Brighton (£356,212)
Poole in Dorset is known for its expensive properties along the beach, but a few less expensive homes further from the sea bring the average down to £332,994 - which puts the town in eight place - behind Swanage in 6th and St Ives in 7th.
Alex Gosling, CEO of online estate agents Housesimple.com, said: "Many of us are drawn to coastal areas, largely for the better quality of life it offers. Every year thousands of people move out of major towns and cities and relocate to the coast. But that migration to the ocean has inevitably had an impact on local property prices, particularly in sought after towns such as Brighton and Poole, and areas such as Cornwall."
Cheaper
At the other end of the spectrum are some decidedly cheaper seaside towns. Blackpool emerged as the cheapest, where property costs an average of £119,615. This is followed by Cleethorpes in Lincolnshire at £124,700, and Leven in Fife at £132,538.
A number of affordable locations also made it to the top five ranked for the best balance of property prices and commuter times to major towns of cities.
Blackpool (£119,651 and 72 minutes to Manchester)
Swansea (£153,356)
Bridgend (£157,407 and 30 minutes to Cardiff)
Scarborough (£166,628 and 50 minutes to York)
Montrose (£169,099 and 40 minutes to Dundee)
However, many of these are very different seaside experiences to the likes of Salcombe and Rock. And while a trip to Blackpool is never dull, it may not be the first place people think of when they consider living by the sea.
A balance
The study also highlighted those places that strike a balance: which are not hideously expensive, and yet offer the kind of lifestyle people think of when they consider living by the sea. To make the cut, the average house had to come in under £270,000, and offer a traditional seaside experience.
The top five:
Montrose near Dundee (£169,099)
Weymouth in Dorset (£255,535)
Deal in Kent (£264,078)
Stonehaven near Aberdeen (£267,753)
Eastbourne in Sussex (£269,818)
Alex Gosling, CEO of online estate agents Housesimple.com, comments: "The top three most expensive seaside towns also happen to be popular summer holiday destinations for many Brits but this research goes to show there are many more affordable areas that offer the luxury of seaside location and value for money. With affordable locations like these, living by the sea doesn't have to be just a pipe dream."
