Relocating to East Sussex - advice needed pls

[Catsandfelix]

Hello

We are relocating from the North and need help figuring out where we should live.
Looking for somewhere no further than 1 hrs drive to Hailsham
Top budget is 800k, 3 beds
Need options for sixth form, independent or state
A town or city where a non driving family member won’t feel lost without a car, so near a town centre (15 min walk is fine)
Good for teenagers
Safe but with some atmosphere, cafes shops etc
Would like off road parking and or a garage
So far considering Eastbourne, Worthing but not sure. Like the look of Lewes and Tunbridge Wells, very expensive but look great for non driver and teenager.

Don’t know the area at all and is a huge move for us. Any advice or areas to look at or avoid would be gratefully received.

@Goldencup I need to think about a sixth form too, so thanks for the helpful advice.

All those have train stations ... Best of luck .

I wouldn't fancy walking from London to Hastings at all! It's miles away

🤣

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/135723155

Lewes is very quaint but has a reputation for not being particularly friendly and doesn’t offer much for teenagers
Eastbourne is quite rough and the hospital a shit tip ,not much there for teenagers
Mayfield pretty but not ideal for a non driver
Crowborough is the town I would consider with decent school ,supermarket, close to TWells and a direct train line to London.Also has Ashdown Forest on its doorstep.
Tunbridge Wells has a good vibe for teenagers with Forum for live music,Pantiles has lots on over the summer music wise and regular markets .Train into Charing Cross about 45 mins and the secondary schools are excellent.

That's a bit unfair. There are plenty of equally dull towns all over the place I fear!

This thread has got me looking at Hastings now! You certainly get a lot for your money down there - look at this: https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/135782711#/?channel=RES_BUY

I think I would want to check on what the schools / college opportunities are like first though. There is a good private school in Battle I think, which isn't too far away.

Lewes is a nice, small town. Picturesque, stuff for teens and accessible to Brighton. It's a bit up it's own arse but less than it used to be.

Hastings old town is lovely and underrated. The beach is nice but area still seems like has a rep for diciness.

Eastbourne and Worthibg both much cooler than they used to be. I know Worthing better as live closer - check out Kenny Tutts ( master chef winner) restaurants, Perch on the Pier, crab shack as lovely places to eat out. Train to Brighton only 15 mins and frequent too.

Tunbridge Wells is I think, quite posh. Do t know if that well. Would imagine budget would stretch less there.

Haywards Heath is a commuter town really. Perfectly pleasant - but bland and a bit dull ( IMHO)

Hove.

I lived in Hastings my whole life and honestly I find it miserable. Each to their own you do get a lot for your money but for the kids I'd say Eastbourne is better. I went to primary school, secondary and college there and it's pretty shitty I actually travelled to Eastbourne to complete my college course in the end as better facilities. With the budget you have you will be looking at the nicer parts but generally it's quite rough and the teens are horrible. I had two attending a Hastings school and it's not great. Battle is lovely and close enough to Hastings decent trains and buses into Hastings if you want a town (most of which is shut down now) it's great if you don't live there and are just visiting or if can afford the nicer parts. All in all I'd never go back even if someone paid me. No jobs lack of opportunity for younger people. Not to mention the drugs and dog 💩

Lewes is lovely but is it still prone to flooding?

Honestly with teens I'd been looking at Brighton, Hove, Portslade, Shoreham.

I know Haywards Heath. It is boring but very well located with easy trains to London and Brighton. I was there as a teen and went to Brighton all the time.

Eastbourne and Bexhill would bore the shit out of teenagers. You will deffo get a 3 bed house in Tunbridge Wells for 800k

Please don't move teenagers to Uckfield, Mayfield, Cuckfield, Forest Row or the like, they are all as boring as hell! You can afford Tunbridge Wells, that's definitely your best bet out of the options mentioned. Feel free to DM me if you like, as I know most of the areas (although not all) mentioned uphthread quite well

Lewes or rottingdean

I think Eastbourne is getting some very bad press on here. For the teens I know, I think summers are centred around the beach/watersports/mountain bikes on the Downs etc and so it may depend what your teens are interested in. If they enjoy an outdoor lifestyle it might suit them. Being within walking distance of the beach and Downs was great for the summer holidays. I would just avoid the eastern housing estates and the eastern end of the town centre - Meads, Old Town or Willingdon are fine.

Mayfield is not suitable for teens. I went to school there.

Tun Wells would be perfect. Or just outside, eg Frant or Rotherfield. My brother lives in Rotherfueld with three kids and is staying put even though kids are hitting secondary.

Also Wadhurst - easy 10 mins train to TW.

Oh God not Wadhurst it doesn't have a proper high street, the secondary school has got huge problems and the station is nowhere near the town centre.

Apologies it is Robertsbridge school that has the drug problem not Uplands in Wadhurst- which is rated Good and looks fine.

Is there a reason why Brighton is not an option op?

I’m reading through all of
your posts and massively appreciate all your help. Without boring you with details, it’s a tricky move with extra things to
consider and everyone’s input is very helpful.

@Radi0liverpool just budget. We have probably been spoilt with where we currently live (North) but we are keen for off road parking and a garage and it doesn’t seem doable in Brighton for our budget. Also, want to be in walking distance of the town due to non car driver, somewhere relatively ‘naive’ etc.

I moved from Manchester to East Sussex. We couldn't afford Lewes but if we had the money I would live there. I live in a village, I love it, I have teens who also like it.

Reading your updates I really think Tunbridge Wells is your best bet. It literally fits all your criteria, it's safe but has plenty of cafes/bars/restaurants. My friend lives there and doesn't have a car. There are a good few secondary schools, many of which are ofsted rated outstanding. We bought a 4 bed with a huge drive there for £600k.