Talk to me about Hassocks....

[IJumpedAboardAPirateShip]

I’m a Londoner, DH is not, I thought brighton was a good fit but he wants to be a bit more rural. Need to be close to London for work, pref Sussex for family, 2DC ages 8&12 - Hassocks seems to fit the bill in terms of what we can get for our money and the size of house (bedrooms/decent study space for home working etc) and easy for kids to get into Brighton and me up to work and the schools seem to be good too

What’s wrong with it?! Is there a strong sense of community and is it possible to make friends easily? Would love to hear from people with teenagers especially

It’s lovely! I’ve been here for 3 years now. A definite community (Hassocks and Keymer are effectively one). Good independent shops, easy transport links by road and rail. Right on the edge of the national park so a strong culture of outdoor activity, running, walking, cycling groups which make getting to know people easy,

Have you visited? Hassocks is one of those places that always seems to tick all the boxes for us, but we’ve never got the feel for when visiting. It’s sort of rural but somehow feels like a small town. It’s not picturesque bu any means and never seems to quite have enough somehow.

Saying that, the schools are excellent, it is close to Brighton and the Downs, and it has good transport links.

We viewed several properties there, but just didn’t quite feel it.

Isn’t it interesting how differently we see things? I guess it depends what you want. We looked at all the “pretty” villages and I still love them when I walk/run/ride through them, but we found that Hassocks is just a lovely straightforward place. You can get involved, or not, in village life as you prefer. What aspects of the environment/community/area are important to you @IJumpedAboardAPirateShip?

We havent visited but know other parts of Sussex pretty well. We currently live abroad and are looking to move home so starting to do online research before doing a reccy trip.

I think what’s important to me is a diverse liberal community who are friendly and open to newcomers, my DH is introverted but loves to cycle so finding some like minded souls he can maybe initially bike with and slowly get to know, I’m more of an extroverted get stuck in type. My big concern would be DC settling in well and a community where they can get to friends houses under their own steam etc.

I appreciate this might be a bit utopian, but I grew up in a knot city where you can always and easily find your people so the thought of a small town is a little scary but DH wants to be more rural....

@sussexmidwife straight forward seems right up our street!!

I used to go through it every day on the train. Every time we went through it I would involuntarily think 'has he socks? Yes he hassocks'. Honestly, I don't know where it came from, but it became a complete earworm to me. So irritating!

How busy is the main road through it?

The main road (north/south) on the western edge of Hassocks near the station is busy (ie almost continuous traffic flow). The high street which goes west-east through Hassocks and Keymer (Keymer Road) is busy in the daytime but almost everyone drives slowly and carefully as it passes the shops, school etc. In the evening it is quiet everywhere (even pre-lockdown!). Because the road really only serves the village it means it is mainly people who live here driving along it. The high street is usually pretty busy with people walking.
Have you seen any houses of interest?
This area is changing from a predominantly conservative older population to a younger labour/lib dem voting population. Lots of us have moved from London or Brighton so an interesting mix. The neighbouring villages of Ditchling and Hurstpierpoint have their own character and identities.

Ditchling - V V overpriced - and v little comes on market south of £1.5M

Hurstpierpoint- much better value but still toppy - great Mum/School networks there, and local school popular and welcoming- I gather- Im a bit past the school gate thing now but lots of children things on and enthusiastic parents