what's it like to live there?

I think you might struggle with the bus services in many of the areas on the east coast. I don't drive either and we are looking to relocate, the first thing I do before looking at a property is where the bus stop is, how regular the buses are, how long it will take to get to the town centre and is their a shop in walking distance.
That's quite a large you are considering l, some places on the east coast are sadly quite run down now, is there anywhere in particular you are considering?
Also the touristy areas might have good transport links and facilities in the summer but not the winter so I would echo the suggestion to make sure you do loads of research.

Why do you want the east coast? I live in Sidmouth on the South coast. I love it here and it has lots of shops and supermarkets besides being a seaside town. There is a hospital and care homes and a couple of doctors surgeries and dentists, churches for all denominations, Also the weather is better than on the east coast, which gets the cruel easterly winds. There are also lots of things to do and clubs to join and 2 golf courses.
The only problem is houses are not cheap here.

The Lincolnshire wolds are beautiful but house prices a bit more expensive than coast. Louth has everything you need. Beautiful walks and not too fat from coast.

I had a friend who had a house in Southwold, a bit further south but on the coast. I stayed there a couple of times and it is very pretty and a nice area.

My favourite East Coast area is Lowestoft. It has everything you need. Lovely beaches, plenty of shops. Gorleston beach my favourite. Not commercialised at all. Cost of living and property cheap too. I lived there for six years and would go back tomorrow if I could.

We lived in Winterton for many years. Everything you need, doctors, co op, church, library etc. Lovely, friendly community. About 7 mile south of Hull, across the Humber bridge, and 3 from Scunthorpe. Buses run through the town 2 per hour from Hull to Scunthorpe and back again, train station in Scunthorpe on the Doncaster to Cleethorpes line. Good hospital at Scunthorpe, looked after me well. Might be worth a look.

Kings Lynn every time. Though it’s not exactly by the sea any more.
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Lots going on, friendly people and a train service to bigger cities if you want more.

My answer was going to be the small city of Aberdeen. It fills all your criteria. But I realised you meant England.

You could of course travel even further north across the border! Lovely places there and if course should you need it there is the financial contribution to care element.

Be cautious, remember Lincolnshire in the summer is very different to the winter. However difficult to do, consider what it will be like should one of you be left on your own. Personally I’d go for a bigger resort like Cromer or Sheringham as most likely they ‘keep going ‘ all year round. If this sounds all a bit gloomy, we actually moved to the South Coast 2 years ago ( to be near to family) and its been a very positive experience. Good luck.

Sorry nanny2507, I don't agree with you about Mablethorpe. I think it's a dreadful place and can't think of a good word to say about it. Tacky tacky little resort.

Sutton on Sea is much better and worth a look but that whole area feels quite remote and I'm not sure it has the bus service you're looking for. Can also feel quite bleak in the winter.

I second the recommendation for Alford which is only about 15 /20 mins drive from Sutton and I think I could happily live there. But there might be the same issue with bus services.

I understand that bus services are better in the Skegness and ingoldmells areas but it depends whether you want to live in such a busy summer tourist area.

All if the above! Research first. My in-laws bought a house in a tiny village with one shop and one bus a day. They didn't make friends easily as they werent interested in pub quizzes or bingo and didnt like the women's rural or the church!
They stayed 5 years but when he became ill the trips to hospital showed them how awkward it was.
Luckily they managed to sell easily and move nearer to the city.
They missed the scenery and dog walking bliss but nothing else. The shop has now closed.
You can't live on scenery, as the saying goes.
You are very wise to be considering all these things. I hope you find a good spot.

Kings Lynn is a long way from Lincolnshire unless you are a crow!
However just along the coast some of the villages are very nice and the Coasthopper bus will get you from one end of the Norfolk coast to the other.

Thanks to to all
We're just setting off to visit area now. Watch this space!

mabelthorpe is lovely but very very busy in the summer. there is a gorgeous town called alford lincs only 11 miles from skegness. sutton on sea down to st leonards is nice too. both have quite a few places to stay as they are close to mabelthrope and skeg

Friends have moved to Lincolnshire, not far inland from Mablethorpe and absolutely love it!

But as M0nica advises, go there, see for yourselves then decide.

Best of luck.

Do you particularly want to be on the coast? Some lovely little market towns and villages only 30-45 minutes drive or bus journey from the sea. You don’t say whereabouts you are coming from. Remember seaside places are busy in the summer but can be a bit forlorn throughout the winter months. Also depending on what you’re used to, rural bus services can be very infrequent. And this type of area seems to struggle to attract doctors, nurses etc. Don’t want to be a wet blanket, but as MOnica suggests, check places out first.

Looking at the map there are few enough towns along that coast (Immingham, Grimsby, Mablethorpe, Ingoldmells. Kings Lynn). You say you do not drive, but assuming your husband does, why not go to the area and have a touring holiday down the coast visiting each town, exploring it and checking everything out.

Forty years ago my parents did as much as you did on the south coast and ended up living somewhere they never expected because they went there, stayed there and did the research in person.

Remember to check that wherever you choose to live has opportunities to follow the kind of interests you both have. You will need to make friends and integrate into the community and you do that by joining in community activities. My parents pulled out of one house purchase because they found there were no activities happening locally that interested them.

Forgot to say we're only in our 60s and would like to live between Hull and Kings Lynne