Eastbourne, Bexhill and Hastings

[ErnieAndBernie]

I will be moving back to the UK with my kids (4.5 and 9) in the summer. Initially I will be moving into our previous UK home (greater London) but this will be sold when H and I divorce later this year. There is no way I can afford to stay where we are and so I would like to head down to the coast if possible. My parents live in Seaford and it would be nice to be close but not on top of them. I will be working from home so train lines not so important but will need decent schools (primary and secondary) and family friendly area, near to but not on top of my folks.
My picks are Eastbourne and possibly Bexhill and Hastings. I say possibly as I know they are affordable but don't know them specifically. Can anyone shed any light on living in any of these places? Areas to look in, areas to avoid, what is good and what is bad about each. Any opinions gladly received. Max budget will be around £250-275k for a 3 bed.

[Equimum]

Okay, I can only really say about Bexhill and Hastings. Bexhill has an older population and, as far as I know, there is a very good Roman Catholic secondary school, but the main secondary is not good. It has a poor Ofsted report and I've not heard good things from friends whose children attend.

Hastings is a mixed bag. Parts of the Old Town have become quite trendy, in an arty way, and that end of town has improved a lot in recent years. Overall, though, you do need pick your areas. There is also a real and enduring problem with secondary schools in Hastings. Most are rated 'inadequate' or 'satisfactory' by Ofsted. I don't know much about the primaries, but do look. Score you leap, so-to-speak.

[namechange20050]

I know Hastings well. As the poster above says; it's a really mixed bag. Old town is lovely and arty but you will pay through the nose to live there. Rest of Hastings is not great TBH though it has had lots of money pumped into it in recent years so it's on the up. St Leonard's is perhaps a better choice

[magimedi]

I know Eastbourne well, live a couple of miles outside & love it. Can't help you with schools (All DC now adults) but in terms of area Old Town is very popular with families as is Roselands. (Roselands is only 5/10 mins walk from the beach)

One in Roselands: www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-45393711.html

One in Old Town:
www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-44732385.html

I would pick Eastbourne over Hastings, which I do enjoy visiting, or Bexhill (which I find a tad depressing) any time. Lots going on, 3 theatres, cinemas, tennis at Devonshire Park, & plenty for kids to do.

I would not choose Langney or Hamden Park as areas & I am wary of the quality of build in Sovreign Harbour.

[magimedi]

Hampden Park

[Magstermay]

I grew up in Eastbourne and although I've not lived there for over 25 years we've been back regularly and took the DS's there on hols last summer. It is a great place for children, but I understand Ocklynge junior in the Old Town has now been rated inadequate. Have you looked at Willingdon? Not sure what that's like now though.

Probably not very helpful, but it was a fantastic place to grow up.

[LumpishAndIllogical]

I was born and grew up in Hastings, only left a few years ago. I wouldn't want to bring my kids up there (the secondary schools are terrible and my schooling experience was substandard). Also, there is a culture of sexism there, its had the highest teenage pregnancy rate in Europe for a while (nothing wrong with young parents BTW, I was one!) and there is quite a lot of violent crime (someone was killed the other day over a taxi and a friend was beaten up for looking 'foreign'). I am sorry it is beautiful and has great art in and around the old town, but I couldn't wait to take my kids away from there. I don't think trendy shops, local art scenes or pretty scenery can take away from the town's issues.

I have lived in rough council estates in London and would prefer that to Hastings.

Also the house prices in Hastings have gone insane lately, because people think it's trendy. But as a local I would not pay that for the area. I understand I have been negative, but I am trying to be honest.

I also know Bexhill and Eastbourne quite well, I have family in both. I would say Eastbourne is better in some ways, but lacks the art scene. So I guess it's what you want

[LumpishAndIllogical]

Sorry meant ' I guess it depends on what you want out of a home town, but I think Eastbourne is better than Bexhill and Hastings'

[LumpishAndIllogical]

Sorry reading back realise it sounds very negative, and I dont mean to offend any locals but I grew up there and would avoid it

[ErnieAndBernie]

All really interesting. Thanks so much for all the thoughts and opinions, its exactly what I need to hear. I think Eastbourne is likely to be where we end up. Its pleasant, seems to have pretty good schools, nice countryside and is not quite so far out. The opinions above on Hastings and Bexhill echo pretty much what I have been told by others.