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Original poster

Hove with a 1.2 mill budget- Help

47 replies

russellpeel · 04/10/2024 13:08

Really need some advice. To cut a very long story short, we are moving to Brighton. I have never visited but do know Eastbourne a little.
We are hoping to buy in Hove as I have heard it’s the more family, safer part of Brighton.
No school aged children.
Need to be within walking distance of the station (10 mins max)
Will be regularly travelling to Lewes by train.
Want to be close to cafes, shops, restaurants etc.
It’s complicated but I won’t be able to spend much time there before we buy.
Help, is Hove like it’s own town or village or is it just residential?
Where should I consider, or not consider?
Budget around 1.2, may be able to go to 1.4 but more comfortable a but lower.
I know this won’t go that far in Hove.

Any advice or suggestions please?

OP posts:
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YouveGotNoBloodyIdea · 04/10/2024 13:18

Hove and Brighton merge into each seamlessly - one street you are in the Brighton the next in Hove. Hove is less busy, not a big city centre - but lots of shops and Western Road leads from Brighton to Palmeira Square and then it's Hove.

Walking distance.

OTOH Hove railway station is way back from the front, shops etc (though there are a few near to it) and basically it only takes you into Brighton, going into that direction, you have to change at Brighton for trains to Lewes.

If I had that money I would probably choose to live in Lewes not Hove tbh.

GhostOrchid · 04/10/2024 13:22

Brighton station is also not particularly central and the streets around it are grotty. Parts of Brighton are really rundown.

Don’t know Hove. Lewes is lovely.

Threewheeler1 · 04/10/2024 13:32

What about in the other direction, out towards Rottingdean etc?
Might be worth a look.
Depends how far you want to stretch or if you need to be in Brighton suburbs.
Agree with PP, Lewes is really beautiful.

boulevardofbrokendreamss · 04/10/2024 13:32

I'd also live in Lewes. Brighton is mostly a shithole, Hove is nicer but seem to merging together more and more.

LIZS · 04/10/2024 13:33

Won't you need to change train at Brighton for Lewes? If you went for Seven Dials area you could still walk to Brighton station.

QuestionAir · 04/10/2024 13:46

There are family parts of Brighton too ! Have a look at the Fiveways / Golden Triangle area of Brighton where quite honestly you need your budget to buy most properties. Very family orientated / safe as lots of schools in the area. From there you can get to London Road Station where the train to Lewes is direct and only 20 minutes.

(The train journey from Hove involves changing trains and invariably hanging around !)

4405cd · 04/10/2024 13:49

Preston park area is lovely and there is a station there .

Massiveaggressive · 04/10/2024 13:51

I live in Hove theres so many variables - a decent 3 flat in Brunswick is 1.1 million. 5 bed detached on Kingsway 1.5

What sort of place are you after - do you want a garden? how many beds ?
.
i know jt seems ridiculous on that budget that you might not get a garden.

i moved here a few years back from abroad and hadn’t actually set foot in the house we nought until the day we moved in -( i had a friend do the viewing) so I know how difficult it is do do it remotely

Threewheeler1 · 04/10/2024 13:54

@YouveGotNoBloodyIdea
That's gorgeous 😍
Look at that garden!

Massiveaggressive · 04/10/2024 13:56

A 10 min walk around Hove station - mainly the huge long terraces - most of them converted into flats theres some nice bigger ones sligjtly further out - look up Wilbury Avenue and around there .

Original poster
russellpeel · 04/10/2024 15:08

This is exactly the sort of info I was hoping for. Thanks very much.

I actually presumed Hove station would be in the centre near the shops, so that’s a surprise.
Being near a station is an absolute must, so if there are family areas in Brighton that have both amenities and a station near by, that would be preferable.

Love Lewes but younger family member worried it won’t have enough, boring shops etc 😆 and it’s very expensive.

Need at least 3 beds, small garden or courtyard etc preferably as won’t to get a dog.
Parking would be wonderful, but might not be possible on our budget. Garage would be a miracle.

Going to look at the house you have posted now. Thank you

OP posts:
Original poster
russellpeel · 04/10/2024 15:12

@YouveGotNoBloodyIdea Lovely but very small square footage and no parking!

OP posts:
Original poster
russellpeel · 04/10/2024 15:13

@Threewheeler1
Nice but first too far from amenities, a mile. Thanks though

OP posts:
Doggymummar · 04/10/2024 15:16

You don't get big houses near the center of Brighton or Hove they are mostly flats. Best to come down for the weekend and have a walk around.

Alcedo · 04/10/2024 15:30

Threewheeler1 · 04/10/2024 13:39

That's a lovely house.

Massiveaggressive · 04/10/2024 15:43

If you move to Hove you have to have a dog its virtually the law. Parking in Hove and Brighton is usually by residents permit (prices are depwndent on zone and also on your car - theres not generally a waiting list but if your aerious about living here check before you put an offer in as parking is a nightmare irrc you are allowed one vehicle per adult) and its car specific - you can’t chop and change so they can then flog you visitors parking - i’m ALLOWED to buy 50’a year at £4:25 a day.
And the parking wardens prowl every day - they were ticketing on Boxing Day last year

(can you tell I love living in Hove 🤣)

Threewheeler1 · 04/10/2024 15:50

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/153265265#/?channel=RES_BUY
Here's an idea of what you can get in Kemptown 🙂
I fantasise about period houses with doors and entryways like this.
Think the garage will be a bit of a challenge but you can definitely get doggy space 😁

Check out this 4 bedroom terraced house for sale on Rightmove

4 bedroom terraced house for sale in Belle Vue Gardens, Brighton, East Sussex, BN2 for £900,000. Marketed by Brand Vaughan, Kemptown

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/153265265#/?channel=RES_BUY

Threewheeler1 · 04/10/2024 15:54

Alcedo · 04/10/2024 15:30

That's a lovely house.

Show quote history

I know, I'm having a lovely time spending OP's budget on these gorgeous period houses...thanks for the opportunity OP!
I'm shouting "oooh, look at the original features!" every few minutes 😃
Have to say I'd kill for a brick and flint, or brick and half tile house - love them.

Original poster
russellpeel · 04/10/2024 16:01

Thank you @Threewheeler1

Our main must have is a train station within a 10 minute walk or 15 at a push. Maybe we just can’t get that for our budget!

OP posts:
reenon · 04/10/2024 16:02

You could focus around Fiveways/Blakers Park and then walk to London Road station (so direct trains to Lewes)

Massiveaggressive · 04/10/2024 16:05

To be fair to Brighton and Hove - some
of the houses are lovely - gorgeous tilled paths and ornate doors with coloured glass.

Gardens are generally overlooked and tiny compared to suburban gardens.. Wheelie bins ((one black one brown and one bottle box) are pretty much permanently on the pavement as bin collection is so random And they don’t collect food waste - which freaks me out

But you can get an uber in 3 mins - any sort of delivery/ takeaway you can think
of. The sea on your doorstep (if you ignore the sewage i wouldn't swim in it though people do) and there are some cool bars (i still get annoyed by tourists though - my favourite time is Feb/March when its pretty quiet. .