Right, I've got a sniff at a new job and it would mean relocating to somewhere near Brighton. I don't drive so it would have to be within a reasonable train journey, or a bus if that's an option, and not too rural or I'll be stuck. Would prefer not more than half an hour away but open to suggestions. Got to be able to drive to the east end of London in less than 2 hours, preferable more like 90 minutes.
Budget is £250k for 4 beds, study - or room that could be converted into a study, garden (which is why we're not looking in Brighton!). Need: decent schools, places to walk to - park, possibly beach, that kind of thing. Not too rough.
Is this possible? Help! I was looking at Worthing but I don't know where to start really.
I had looked at that house when people talked about Lewes before. What is wrong with it? It seemed like it might be quite far out of town.
I actually don't know where in Hove it is - they've just signed the lease on the new office apparently. I will ask. I stayed in Hove on a houseswap last year (in a gorgeous house...wish we could afford something like that!) so know the area slightly but not terribly well.
Am beginning to accept that wherever we live will have a bit of slog to get there (unless a magical cheap house becomes available in Hove).
Someone asked about cheap houses in Brighton - we had thought about a couple of them but when I searched about on here they seemed to be areas that people were warning against in Brighton? Portslade, and there was another near Falmer.
I will look again at Lancing - I think if the job interview goes well we will have to go for a look around at all these places, I just don't know them at all.
aufaniae
Sat 02-Mar-13 14:17:13
The bus from Eastbourne to Hove could take a while!
The train from Eastbourne to Brighton on the other hand is a lovely journey IMO.
I take it in to uni, it's between 30 & 40ish minutes, depending on which train you get. The view out of the window are lovely countryside - rolling hills, bunnies, pheasants and horses. I remember someone asking if I thought it was a pain to ge the train "so far". I said "are you kidding? My journey to work in London used to be 40 minutes standing up in a too-hot tube trying not to inhale other people's armpits! This journey is lovely! And anyway, it's about the only time I het a break all day - I can sit and look out of the window or read a book without anyone making demands of me!"
I should say though that my uni is right at the train station. Your journey would be longer if you need to get to Hove too.
ErikNorseman
Sat 02-Mar-13 14:18:11
When we decided to move out of brighton lancing was the only place that met the criteria of a) close enough to brighton b) significantly cheaper than brighton and c) not horrible 
Rottingdean in pricey, so is saltdean. Peace haven is awful (IMO) soulless and ugly. New haven is that bit too far and pretty industrial with the port there.
Shoreham is pricey, Worthing traffic is a nightmare so even though it's very close to lancing it would add a good half hour to my commute just by being on the wrong side of a stretch of road.
If you think about lancing, you have the twin issue of being within walking distance of the station, but equally as far as possible from the centre! There are buses but they don't run evenings or Sundays!
As with all areas, Lancing has some great parts and not so great. Feel free to PM me and I will elaborate if you want! I love the part where I am. I think the train journey into brighton is about 20 mins? Lancing is ideal for me because it's not as expensive as Brighton, not busy like Worthing, but good transport links. Nice beach, easy to get to countryside and very friendly. What's not to love!
I'm in Peacehaven, buses are very good around here (every ten minutes to central Brighton with more at peak times). Some lovely areas and some not so, just like everywhere. Not much here, though there is enough, and the transport routes mean you can be in Brighton / Seaford / Eastbourne quite quickly. It's quiet enough to be out of the craziness of central town, but close enough for access. You'd do well on your price budget here too. Station just down the road in Newhaven, but trains better from Brighton.
Also Saltdean, which is the next place along towards Brighton. Know we can get to Croydon Ikea by driving in around 70mins if that helps Rottingdean again that bit closer (but bit pricer).
Other side of Brighton, places like Hangleton and Patcham, some parts of Portslade are nice too.
North, somewhere like Hassocks, Hailsham or Haywards Heath (though the highlight of HH is the hospital, really...).
There's nothing wrong so far as the construction of the house is concerned but it is on an estate that has, almost certainly, a rather undeserved reputation nowadays. It's a long walk to the station too and on the outskirts of town. They are very small inside too so although it says 4 bedrooms, there's not much living space in it.
