Anyone live in Bridlington?
Discussion
Thanks for comments so far.
I've visited a few times now. I agree with the comment about it being a bit slow (which coming from London is actually a good thing...). I get the feeling that there are quite a few retired folks up there.
It feels like quite a nice place, but you can only see so much from day trips/short breaks, hence the question. In particular I'm wondering what it's like at night around the station area. General safety and security etc.
I'm thinking of buying somewhere near the beach/station initially as a holiday place and then later on upping sticks and living there permanently.
I've visited a few times now. I agree with the comment about it being a bit slow (which coming from London is actually a good thing...). I get the feeling that there are quite a few retired folks up there.
It feels like quite a nice place, but you can only see so much from day trips/short breaks, hence the question. In particular I'm wondering what it's like at night around the station area. General safety and security etc.
I'm thinking of buying somewhere near the beach/station initially as a holiday place and then later on upping sticks and living there permanently.
I live in a rural village not too far away which is lovely.
But we generally avoid Bridlington itself
Some bits are okay, but the centre and front can be a little grim.
For some reason it seams to attract more than it's fare share of society's detritus.
We shop and eat in Scarborough despite being further away
Each to their own I suppose.
Being polite, some people actually choose to go there on holiday.
My honest and purely personal opinion.... It is a s
t-hole
Edit: actually it's brilliant, forgot we have a three bed bungalow for sale in Bempton.
But we generally avoid Bridlington itself
Some bits are okay, but the centre and front can be a little grim.
For some reason it seams to attract more than it's fare share of society's detritus.
We shop and eat in Scarborough despite being further away
Each to their own I suppose.
Being polite, some people actually choose to go there on holiday.
My honest and purely personal opinion.... It is a s
t-holeEdit: actually it's brilliant, forgot we have a three bed bungalow for sale in Bempton.
Edited by Emley on Saturday 30th August 22:33
I live in Driffield (also slow but probably a better option as it's fairly close to the coast but a bit nicer, just very rural).
Bridlington is ok, but like Hornsea, Scarborough, Withernsea and most other towns up and down the east coast it's a bit grotty. Lot of unemployment with the problems it brings, the only other population is retired (waiting for god), this means no money which means lots of boarded up shops and sad looking town centres, fairly low serious crime (you won't ever have to worry about being stabbed) but plenty of low level anti social behaviour in the wrong areas.
Be warned there is little work in the east riding, if you can run a business from home or you are in an in demand industry allowing you to walk in to a job (eg. Teacher/solicitor) great but if you are only semi skilled or lower I'd avoid moving here unless your prepared to face a lot of competition for few jobs.
Car insurance is low in most of the East Riding as crime is low, it's not too bad to get to civilisation if you get somewhere like Driffield then York and Hull are localish, the M62 is about 30 mins away, which is another point about the coast, getting anywhere will drive you mad, Brid/Hornsea probably the better 2 options to get anywhere but Withernsea/Scarborough nightmares to get away from.
Personally if it was me I'd be looking at villages/market towns. Space and houses are cheaper here so enjoy them, the roads aren't bad either. I just can't emphasise enough that you need to realise what a big culture shock it will be coming here from London. Be aware that deciding to go out for a decent meal isn't just a case of hopping on a tube, you will need to decide what you want and will find yourself driving half an hour to a decent restaurant, usually all in totally opposite directions!
Bridlington is ok, but like Hornsea, Scarborough, Withernsea and most other towns up and down the east coast it's a bit grotty. Lot of unemployment with the problems it brings, the only other population is retired (waiting for god), this means no money which means lots of boarded up shops and sad looking town centres, fairly low serious crime (you won't ever have to worry about being stabbed) but plenty of low level anti social behaviour in the wrong areas.
Be warned there is little work in the east riding, if you can run a business from home or you are in an in demand industry allowing you to walk in to a job (eg. Teacher/solicitor) great but if you are only semi skilled or lower I'd avoid moving here unless your prepared to face a lot of competition for few jobs.
Car insurance is low in most of the East Riding as crime is low, it's not too bad to get to civilisation if you get somewhere like Driffield then York and Hull are localish, the M62 is about 30 mins away, which is another point about the coast, getting anywhere will drive you mad, Brid/Hornsea probably the better 2 options to get anywhere but Withernsea/Scarborough nightmares to get away from.
Personally if it was me I'd be looking at villages/market towns. Space and houses are cheaper here so enjoy them, the roads aren't bad either. I just can't emphasise enough that you need to realise what a big culture shock it will be coming here from London. Be aware that deciding to go out for a decent meal isn't just a case of hopping on a tube, you will need to decide what you want and will find yourself driving half an hour to a decent restaurant, usually all in totally opposite directions!
wildoliver said:
I live in Driffield...
Thanks wildoliver, that was a really useful post 
Culture shock shouldn't be a problem, my needs are modest
Also, getting work hopefully shouldn't be a problem as I'm looking at this initially as a holiday place and then later as a retirement gig. Not intending to work up there apart from a bit of remote working as part of my current job.Having said that, it sounds like the town centre isn't so great. More than one poster has mentioned it. The police crime stats seem to support the opinion that there is little serious crime (stabbings etc.) but a noticeable amount of low level stuff like vandalism (which I guess could mean anything from kicking a bin over to smashing windows or worse).
The thing that is driving me towards the town centre is of course price; you can seemingly get an obscene amount of house for your money (large 4-floor Victorian house in decent nick for 250K anyone?). A lot of them are former B&Bs but could be very nice when renovated.
Scarborough is a good shout - I've been there as well and there are some lovely large Victorian properties near the centre although it seems a bit pricier than Bridlington - and the town centre didn't seem all that different.
I will consider my options including Driffield...any more opinions (good or bad as long as they are honest!) are welcomed
I think most people were probably suggesting don't go out of your way to visit the town centre.
For the love of god don't live there under any circumstances.
I know you don't think the culture shock will be a problem but you really do need to appreciate what a pain it can be.
If you have genuinely modest needs as in all you want to do is buy food from a supermarket, watch TV and go for walks fine you will be ok. If you ever go to:
Cinema.
Restaurants (When I say decent I don't mean posh, I just mean food you want to eat as opposed to dross)
Nice pubs
Shops that don't sell quilted OAP coats or Tracksuits
Or basically anything else nice or fun you are going to end up driving. To put it in perspective here are some of the places you will find those things mentioned above:
Cinema, Brid has one but it's a flea pit, ditto Scarborough. So your going to Hull or York.
Restaurants, Chinese - Beverley, Hull or York. Indian - Scarborough or York. Nice English food - Tickton, York, Derbyshire are we tend to go.
Pubs - Plenty of nice village pubs around the area, your struggling though for bars/clubs. Brid is not nice for a night out......
Shops - Hull or York, don't waste your time going to Scarborough.
If I was looking at houses in your Budget I'd be tempted to knock the coast thing on the head and move slightly inland to somewhere between Driffield and York depending how close to the coast you want to be, Pocklington is a good compromise and has a nice mix of lovely villages and small market town life with good public transport links and decent links to main roads. York is 20 mins up the road and is lovely, the coast is circa 30 mins away. In this area your budget will still go a long way but you won't have to live with constant hassle.
For the love of god don't live there under any circumstances.
I know you don't think the culture shock will be a problem but you really do need to appreciate what a pain it can be.
If you have genuinely modest needs as in all you want to do is buy food from a supermarket, watch TV and go for walks fine you will be ok. If you ever go to:
Cinema.
Restaurants (When I say decent I don't mean posh, I just mean food you want to eat as opposed to dross)
Nice pubs
Shops that don't sell quilted OAP coats or Tracksuits
Or basically anything else nice or fun you are going to end up driving. To put it in perspective here are some of the places you will find those things mentioned above:
Cinema, Brid has one but it's a flea pit, ditto Scarborough. So your going to Hull or York.
Restaurants, Chinese - Beverley, Hull or York. Indian - Scarborough or York. Nice English food - Tickton, York, Derbyshire are we tend to go.
Pubs - Plenty of nice village pubs around the area, your struggling though for bars/clubs. Brid is not nice for a night out......
Shops - Hull or York, don't waste your time going to Scarborough.
If I was looking at houses in your Budget I'd be tempted to knock the coast thing on the head and move slightly inland to somewhere between Driffield and York depending how close to the coast you want to be, Pocklington is a good compromise and has a nice mix of lovely villages and small market town life with good public transport links and decent links to main roads. York is 20 mins up the road and is lovely, the coast is circa 30 mins away. In this area your budget will still go a long way but you won't have to live with constant hassle.
I live just outside Driffield!
Last year I helped a mate out in his shop in Brid - on Quay Road near Tesco - the locals were very nice but didn't like spending money! The tourists (punters) were just like any others in an East Coast seaside town.
Last week I went to Argos in Brid - the wife wanted to have a look at Brid rather than going to York - we will not be going again!
The town centre has very limited parking, traffic was awful and the punters seems a lot worse than Skegness and that's saying something!
I would imagine that in the winter it will be a lovely place to live but come summer it's not as nice!
I understand what you're saying about house prices but I'd advice look a bit inland and if it cost more then there is a reason.
I can't say I could recommend anywhere specific but I would steer clear of Hunmanby - we went there to look at a house and it really was like the Twilight Zone!
If you want to PM me your budget, requirements, must haves etc. I'll get the wife on to it, she is very good at finding the houses and she sometimes comes up with hidden gems and she enjoys doing it!
Last year I helped a mate out in his shop in Brid - on Quay Road near Tesco - the locals were very nice but didn't like spending money! The tourists (punters) were just like any others in an East Coast seaside town.
Last week I went to Argos in Brid - the wife wanted to have a look at Brid rather than going to York - we will not be going again!
The town centre has very limited parking, traffic was awful and the punters seems a lot worse than Skegness and that's saying something!
I would imagine that in the winter it will be a lovely place to live but come summer it's not as nice!
I understand what you're saying about house prices but I'd advice look a bit inland and if it cost more then there is a reason.
I can't say I could recommend anywhere specific but I would steer clear of Hunmanby - we went there to look at a house and it really was like the Twilight Zone!
If you want to PM me your budget, requirements, must haves etc. I'll get the wife on to it, she is very good at finding the houses and she sometimes comes up with hidden gems and she enjoys doing it!
Mmmm, how about a cottage in South Dalton between Driffield and Beverley.
Beautiful, accessible, and your very own Michelin star restaurant and pub, the Pipe & Glass in the village.
Or, what about Whitby?
A bit more out on a limb.
Your £250k budget might not get as much, but it might prove a better investment and an interesting place to retire to.
Filey anyone ???
Okay a bit pipe and slippers...
I tell you what, been all over this year, but today, right on our doorstep takes some beating.
Been out for the day, walking at Falling Foss, fossiling in Sandwick Bay, finished up in the Humble Pie, then Moon & Sixpence in Whitby.
God, the Yorkshire Coast and East Riding looked great today.
But don't tell everyone, they will all come and spoil it...
Beautiful, accessible, and your very own Michelin star restaurant and pub, the Pipe & Glass in the village.
Or, what about Whitby?
A bit more out on a limb.
Your £250k budget might not get as much, but it might prove a better investment and an interesting place to retire to.
Filey anyone ???
Okay a bit pipe and slippers...
I tell you what, been all over this year, but today, right on our doorstep takes some beating.
Been out for the day, walking at Falling Foss, fossiling in Sandwick Bay, finished up in the Humble Pie, then Moon & Sixpence in Whitby.
God, the Yorkshire Coast and East Riding looked great today.
But don't tell everyone, they will all come and spoil it...
We`ve made my last trip to Brid for a long time. We thought of a bungalow by the golf course at the `posh` end once. We`ve gone for over 40 years- even spent some of our honeymoon on the beach!
It`s now looking very sorry for itself, a bit like Dewsbury-on-Sea. The beach can be lovely at any time of year, little market on a Saturday is Ok but the overall tone is just too depressing. Lots of poor families with poor kids wandering around sucking on pop bottles or sweets being yelled at & bawling their eyes out, a huge number of huge tattoed arses, fleets of mobility scooters, greasy pavements & a Marks & Spencers marooned amongst shops selling 99p tat.
A lot of money was spent tarting up the road surfaces around the Spa & installing some `Art`. It`s not really paid off. There are rumours of a new marina but nothing ever seems to happen.
I note David Hockney buggered off pretty quickly & we often wonder what T.E.Lawrence would make of the place - the memorial to him outside the toilets somehow sums up the ambience.
I`d stay 30 miles away somewhere in a line from Malton/Driffield/Beverley where there are some lovely views, walks & roads. If you could get involved in any local group with any background interest it would become a really nice base & would be a good place to bring up kids. Have a spin up to Flamborough for a refreshing walk, or go down to Hornsea & look for fossils. Hop on the train & shop in York.
Brid`s cheap for a reason....
I do hope you get somewhere really nice - it`s not easy & you`re right to do a lot of planning - good luck!
It`s now looking very sorry for itself, a bit like Dewsbury-on-Sea. The beach can be lovely at any time of year, little market on a Saturday is Ok but the overall tone is just too depressing. Lots of poor families with poor kids wandering around sucking on pop bottles or sweets being yelled at & bawling their eyes out, a huge number of huge tattoed arses, fleets of mobility scooters, greasy pavements & a Marks & Spencers marooned amongst shops selling 99p tat.
A lot of money was spent tarting up the road surfaces around the Spa & installing some `Art`. It`s not really paid off. There are rumours of a new marina but nothing ever seems to happen.
I note David Hockney buggered off pretty quickly & we often wonder what T.E.Lawrence would make of the place - the memorial to him outside the toilets somehow sums up the ambience.
I`d stay 30 miles away somewhere in a line from Malton/Driffield/Beverley where there are some lovely views, walks & roads. If you could get involved in any local group with any background interest it would become a really nice base & would be a good place to bring up kids. Have a spin up to Flamborough for a refreshing walk, or go down to Hornsea & look for fossils. Hop on the train & shop in York.
Brid`s cheap for a reason....
I do hope you get somewhere really nice - it`s not easy & you`re right to do a lot of planning - good luck!
Make it 5.
We go to Brid fairly often but I will need to put a lot of weight on and get some tattoos and a dog to fit in.
Some of the Munters in leggings have to be seen to be believed. Puts me off us chips! (sic)
Chav city a lot of the time but ok to visit, not live. Beverley area is nice but prices much higher.
We go to Brid fairly often but I will need to put a lot of weight on and get some tattoos and a dog to fit in.
Some of the Munters in leggings have to be seen to be believed. Puts me off us chips! (sic)
Chav city a lot of the time but ok to visit, not live. Beverley area is nice but prices much higher.
Brid and Scarborough were grand Victorian towns. Sadly they're now moribund stholes. Buy somewhere further in land in one of the villages instead. Ideally one in the national park / moors.
Years of unemployment and poor education have taken their toll. The contrast between the coastal towns and those further inland is staggering.
Try Hull instead it's a beautifully quaint fishing village
tholes. Buy somewhere further in land in one of the villages instead. Ideally one in the national park / moors.Years of unemployment and poor education have taken their toll. The contrast between the coastal towns and those further inland is staggering.
Try Hull instead it's a beautifully quaint fishing village
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