Page 9 | I would like to live in Brighton and Hove

0hIdoliketobebesidetheseaside · 2026-03-21T11:01:33+00:00

Visited last weekend and I really think it’s the place for us. But I’m not sure we can afford it, is there anywhere like it? Things we loved beautiful shops in the lanes, seaside, so much to do, arts, live music etc. People seem friendlier than in a lot of places. South Downs for walks But we have only £250000 and thinking of having a baby soon any solutions or alternatives?

theatrekidmum · 21/03/2026 11:54

We lived in Brighton for many years - went to Uni there and never left. Got married there, bought a flat and DD was born there.

We moved away when DD was young. We couldn't afford the next level up in housing and our small flat wasn't great for a family.

We found that house prices are approaching the same as London - but Brighton wages are not as high as London wages - so it is hard to live and work in the area. Many people commute to London - which is what pushed the house prices up. We moved to a completely new life in Gloucestershire but ended up back in London after a couple of years - ironically would not be able to afford our SE London house in Brighton!

It is a cool fun place to live, not so easy to bring up a family there. If you are OK to enjoy a few years but be willing to move when you have a family go for it - but if you are thinking of your forever life - do think carefully about whether you can afford it.

Basquervill · 21/03/2026 11:48

Brighton used to be lovely, it isn’t lovely now. It’s crowded, dirty, and full of those desperate to seem hip. Avoid,avoid,avoid!

Wonderwoman333 · 21/03/2026 11:46

I would also love to live in Brighton too, I love it there but can't afford to move there with 3dcs!

Snorydog · 21/03/2026 11:46

Just to echo what PP have said, lots of young people seem
to buy flats in Hove and then move West towards Worthing when they buy houses/have young children. Worthing is much better than it used to be, but you’d still want Brighton for shopping!
others move north up the train line, Hassocks and round there.
A PP said Southsea is in the middle, they mean Shoreham
by Sea, also nice!

ScupperedbytheSea · 21/03/2026 11:43

I can't imagine you'll find it easy to get much at all in that area for your budget. Portslade, Lancing and Worthing have all increased a great deal. You might to squeeze a 2-bed flat in a less desirable area I guess, but it doesn't feel like enough.

My friend is selling his modest two bed terrace in what used to be a cheaper area (where Hove morphs into Portslade) and he'll probably put it on for around 620k.

TeddyBeans · 21/03/2026 11:42

You could buy our flat 🤣 we're 25 minutes on the train from Brighton. Train station is a 7 minute walk from the flat.

We've raised DD here from birth and DS since he was 3. It's made a lovely starter home for us

Check out this 2 bedroom flat for sale on Rightmove

2 bedroom flat for sale in Meadway Court, Worthing, BN13 for £240,000. Marketed by Bacon and Company, Goring By Sea

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/172406708?utm_campaign=property-details&utm_content=buying&utm_medium=sharing&utm_source=copytoclipboard#/&channel=RES_BUY

FeministThrowingAPrincessParty · 21/03/2026 11:41

I lived in Hove for 10 years and loved it. But when we wanted to buy we moved out. Lots of our friends moved to Worthing. It has lots of nice cocktail bars and venues now. No longer a place for old people!

Bigearringsbigsmile · 21/03/2026 11:40

TakeALookAtTheseSwatches · 21/03/2026 11:17

I will never understand why people would relocate to somewhere like Brighton when there are so many beautiful places in the North for a fraction of the price. I live in a 4 bed detached with nice garden, double driveway, in a cul de sac in a very nice area and it's worth around £220k. I'd say look elsewhere.

Where in the north? I also live in the north and you certainly wouldn't get all that for that price here? Nowhere near!

ComradeAmoeba · 21/03/2026 11:39

St Leonards is a good shout. I have a couple of friends there and they love it.

Original poster

0hIdoliketobebesidetheseaside · 21/03/2026 11:38

2ndtimearoundok · 21/03/2026 11:36

St Leonards?

I will look thank you and at Hangletown and Portslade

OP posts:

Catcatcatcatcat · 21/03/2026 11:36

I live here and absolutely love it. I wouldn’t live anywhere else.

It is bloody expensive though…

2ndtimearoundok · 21/03/2026 11:36

St Leonards?

Original poster

0hIdoliketobebesidetheseaside · 21/03/2026 11:36

Reliablesource · 21/03/2026 11:09

I considered Brighton about 10 years ago, having enjoyed many weekends there. However, am very glad now that I didn’t! Living somewhere is very very different to holidaying there.

I find Brighton very edgy at night especially. Have stayed there for work several times over the past 2 years and saw open drug dealing, lots of begging and dodgy types wandering about. Huge country lines and crime issues in Brighton (same as many seaside towns to be fair, but Brighton is a city, therefore has a lot more!)

i wouldn’t bring up a family there. Also £250k will buy you bugger all in Brighton, where it is basically London prices.

Could you share why you wouldn’t bring up a family there please

OP posts:

Original poster

0hIdoliketobebesidetheseaside · 21/03/2026 11:35

people saying it’s rough, why is it so expensive then??

OP posts:

Original poster

0hIdoliketobebesidetheseaside · 21/03/2026 11:35

Screamingabdabz · 21/03/2026 11:15

The gender wang is quite strong there too so be mindful of that if you end up having daughters.

Well if I was worried about this I’m sure Brighton isn’t where I’d be going. My brother is trans.

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BigYellowBus · 21/03/2026 11:33

Worthing has really changed as Brighton has become more expensive- lots of cocktail bars and nice restaurants and a lovely cinema. Frequent buses along the coast to Brighton. There's also Southsea which is in between the two

LIZS · 21/03/2026 11:29

Hangleton might be more affordable or further over towards Worthing like Lancing.

ComradeAmoeba · 21/03/2026 11:22

I agree with pp, Portslade is nice, I lived there for a while and loved it. But even there is very expensive now.

TakeALookAtTheseSwatches · 21/03/2026 11:17

I will never understand why people would relocate to somewhere like Brighton when there are so many beautiful places in the North for a fraction of the price. I live in a 4 bed detached with nice garden, double driveway, in a cul de sac in a very nice area and it's worth around £220k. I'd say look elsewhere.

Puppylucky · 21/03/2026 11:16

I live in Brighton and I think it's a bit unfair to write it off as dodgy. Yes there are problems with homelessness etc but it never feels edgy - just scruffy. To be fair I'm struggling to think of a UK town that doesn't have it's problems these days. Central Brighton is no worse than Bristol for example.

MrsNathanDrake · 21/03/2026 11:15

I live in Hove and to be honest, I wouldn’t live anywhere other than Brighton and Hove- it really is a wonderful place. I’d maybe look at places like Portslade which is under 10 minutes by train from Brighton station, but quite a bit cheaper than Brighton and Hove.

I don’t know Worthing very well. You will definitely get a lot more for your money there and from what I hear, it has changed a lot with more Brighton people moving out there and is no longer just a place for retirees.

Good luck, and I’m happy to answer any questions you might have.

Screamingabdabz · 21/03/2026 11:15

The gender wang is quite strong there too so be mindful of that if you end up having daughters.

Gonnagetgoingreturnsagain · 21/03/2026 11:13

If you want a 2 bed which most people would with a baby and garden I don’t think your budget will do it in Brighton.

Gonnagetgoingreturnsagain · 21/03/2026 11:11

Reliablesource · 21/03/2026 11:09

I considered Brighton about 10 years ago, having enjoyed many weekends there. However, am very glad now that I didn’t! Living somewhere is very very different to holidaying there.

I find Brighton very edgy at night especially. Have stayed there for work several times over the past 2 years and saw open drug dealing, lots of begging and dodgy types wandering about. Huge country lines and crime issues in Brighton (same as many seaside towns to be fair, but Brighton is a city, therefore has a lot more!)

i wouldn’t bring up a family there. Also £250k will buy you bugger all in Brighton, where it is basically London prices.

London prices where I am are double OP’s budget!

Gonnagetgoingreturnsagain · 21/03/2026 11:10

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/172523387#/?channel=RES_BUY