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.

Oh, and please do not move to a village if you don't have a car, you will be very isolated

Shoreham also worth a look. Connected to Brighton by rail in 10 minutes, direct line to London - and buses in to Brighton too.
Lots of pubs and cafes. Shoreham Academy is OFSTED outstanding.
Good basic high street. Farmers market once a month. Nature reserve beach. River Adur for walks. Lots of water sports. Airport (!!) Houseboat community and direct access to South Downs National Park.

I am biased ( I live there).

Ignore the ugly A259 industrial approach and look at the quaint old centre.

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/133412135#/?channel=RES_BUY

The narrow living room though! 2.72m/8'11 😳

Someone mentioned Rottingdean upthread and that would be worth a look. It's pretty, next to Brighton along the coast, has shops and at least one pub, is a 40 min drive to Hailsham and easy bus routes into Brighton for your 6th former for school and fun. Brighton is a great place for teens.
You can afford a recently built 3 bed with garage if that appeals.

@Harringtonperle Thank you.
Going to look again at TW.
Can anyone pls recommend areas I should look, with a 15/20 walk to the ‘centre’. St John’s?

@missfliss will have a more in-depth look at Shoreham too. A couple of people have mentioned it. Thank you

We almost bought in Eastbourne a few years back but found it very dull/uninspiring when we investigated the area further. Ditto Worthing. We have friends that live in Eastbourne old town and they love it though.

In your shoes @Catsandfelix I'd be looking at Lewes, Tun Wells or possibly Hastings if Brighton (where we have close family and you couldn't pay me to live there!) are out of your budget.

Definitely St John's. It is worth pointing out that that 3 of the 6 secondaries are grammar schools, although all 3 of the others are Ofsted rated outstanding. 2 of them are in the St John's area so would be walkable for your kids

Is your 6th former male or female OP ?

Have a look at Rusthall Village . A 20 -30 min walk into Tunbridge Wells and a really pleasant walk over Tunbridge Wells Common and within walking distance to TW station. Great bus service runs through the village with a thriving high street.
Property slightly cheaper than the other close villages .

Eastbourne! I’m here and I’m not an old codger. Old Town or Motcombe both glorious and it’s a brilliant walking city – everything you need on your doorstep, from sea to scenery to schools to park, library, chocolate babka, finally a burrito place, a v v v good Indian restaurant, the worst GP practice in the world but you can’t have everything, and trains to Lewes and Brighton for the teens. Plus it’s a good position for trips to Hastings and Rye. I just love it.

Also old town won’t be under water when the climate change end times are upon us

I would so go for this Rusthal is an inspired suggestion
https://www.zoopla.co.uk/for-sale/details/63891338/?search_identifier=81f0a0faea2d705ec8d6ed26d60dbdd6a07ead9b25e95b3fdb2586060a0b5a49

Good things about Hastings:
Relaxed, friendly people
The sea in all weathers
Useful shops
It's wiggly and hilly and interesting
Good train connections, but not so good it feels like a suburb of London
The Tiny Dogs of Hastings
Fishing fleet
Alexandra Park and all the other little parks
St Helen's Woods
Drivers let you cross the road
Lots of benches and bins
The Old Town
The 'new' town shopping centre gets slagged off - but I like it
Proper pubs
Crazy golf
Underground skate park
Music and art scene
Beautiful library
Lively town with lots of community events
The East Hill
The West Hill
Sports/activities on sea and land for those who want them
Space to do nothing for those who don't
Very walkable, although not from London

Agree with all of that. But the 16+ (actually 11+) educational opportunities are universally appalling. OP has a sixth former...

Rusthall is quite a good shout. Cons I would say are quite a long walk to the town and not that near any secondaries. St John's is a lot more expensive but far more likely to get a place at the secondaries if they are oversubscribed and you have to go on waiting lists

Avoid Saltdean and Peacehaven. Eastbourne is probably better than Lewes for teenagers (although Lewes is lovely and very easy to get to Brighton. Agree that Haywards Heath is a good shout, also Burgess Hill at a push.
Shoreham is much improved in recent years, excellent arts centre. Tunbridge Wells is lovely.

I have noticed a lot of older kids seem to get train to other towns like Battle for school

Loads of DCs get the bus into T'wells for school from Rusthal or Langton Green.

Everytime I go to eastbourne I get a vibe of "yin"/going to die. Not sure what it is in the air but it's like it leeches my energy! Weird place. If you're considering it definitely go spend a day or night there and check it out. I couldn't live there.

There is no state secondary sixth form in Battle. Battle Abbey (independant) is OK but not amazing, I have already given my opinion on Robertsbridge (which only goes to 16 in any case). Really your best bet is trying for the Kent schools.

T Wells is nice, but rather pedestrian. Houses are over-priced IMO!

Not edgey no

@Goldencup I know, it's just that OP's DC will be in year admissions, so if St Gregs or Bennett should be oversubscribed in the desired year groups they will be higher up the waiting lists if they live in the St John's area. Most of those bussing in from Rusthall will have been there since they started secondary. Don't get me wrong, I do agree Rusthall is a good option.

I think it would help if we knew where you live now, OP, and how much you like it? To get a vibe of where would be a good fit. As to TW being a bit pedestrian, I support is a bit, but way less so than some places suggested. And the OP wants somewhere safe, which places that aren't 'a bit pedestrian ' often aren't

I should say if you want to live that way. Lewes and Brighton have great 16+ options and for my money the private schools in Eastbourne are excellent.