Brighton or Hastings

[bubbleybee]

I want to move to Brighton, my partner says Hastings would be better as so much cheaper and its up and coming. Anyone live in either place who can advise? Are there cheaper areas that are not too far out in Brighton? We like the idea of all the stuff that goes on in Brighton for families so don't want to be too far out. Is Hastings up and coming? We are currently in a village in the midlands so can't keep driving down to see. I have never been to Hastings but partner has. Would love to hear opinions , thanks

Come to Saltdean. It's lovely and has a beach and the lido will open next summer.

Hastings is due to have a rail link built so it's direct to London (as Brighton and Lewes currently have). I think house prices will rise in Hastings when this happens.

I would probably prefer to raise a family in Hastings than Brighton due to the amount of land you could get for your money. Portslade is nice but I still think the houses are quite small for the money...

Eastbourne has its share of older people, but it also has lots of young families. Definitely worth a visit.

I find Hastings a bit too grim still, there's high levels of unemployment, and for me, it feels too far from places like Brighton or London. It's nice in the summer, less so on a wet winter's day. But that's just my personal experience.

I just saw your last update RE old people in Eastbourne. I think Eastbourne is moving towards a younger generation. The issue I would have with buying in Eastbourne is that there is a lot of property there so not really a sought after place so it could be harder to sell if you wanted to move

I have lived in eastbourne and now live in bexhill (between eastbourne and Hastings) there are some nice areas of Hastings and the town does have lots going on but personally I would go for eastbourne over hastings. There are still a lot of dodgy areas there and I wouldn't rate the schools (unless you go private to Claremont/bucks wood)

I lived in Brighton and Hove for many years but now spend a lot of time in Hastings and absolutely love it. It's like Brighton was 25 years ago and there's so much happening and really great, interesting people here. Far more quirky than Brighton is now. And so geographically beautiful too. £400k would get you a fantastic property in Hastings. I know nothing about the schools so can't comment on that but as someone who used to be so in love with Brighton, Hastings wins hands down for me.

Interesting article about Hastings in Sarurday's Guardian magazine here

Patcham is about 40mins on the bus! We lived in Kemp Town for years but when we wanted to buy a house we couldn't afford anywhere apart from Patcham/Hangleton/Portslade. Nothing wrong with any of those areas but they are about 40 mins out of town on a bus. Which means longer commuting times etc. We felt that we go more for our money and a better environment and schools by going outside of Brighton to some of the villages or even Shoreham.

I like Hastings, but as another poster said, it's been up and coming for a while. While the London connection rises housing prices in Brighton, it's an economic boost too, something which Hastings doesn't have as strong - so it means cheaper houses but generally poorer overall. There's a lot of buzz about Hastings at the moment with the Jerwood abd the pier, and it does have a lovely old town, but it'll never been as prosperous as Brighton. That might float your boat though!

Hobbes8 not sure the lido will be open next summer,

Hastings is partly cheaper because the commute to London is painfully slow (at the moment). My impression of Hastings is that it has a bit of a split personality - half up-and-coming bohemian-style gentrification, half deprived and dilapidated seaside town. I do really like it as a place to visit (more than Brighton) but can't speak for practicalities of living there.

Worthing isn't full of older folk any more! Lots of young families and family friendly pubs and restaurants - it's improved loads in the last 5 years. A 3 bed victorian terrace close to the seafront is under £300k

Patcham is nice. I live in Bevendean which is one of the other more affordable parts and we love it! There's a direct bus from our front door to Brighton station and yet it feels like we live in the countryside. We can regularly see cows, horses and sheep from our kitchen window and our garden backs onto the South Downs.

Patcham is nice but a bit out of the way.
Hollingdean is good...it used to be a bit dodgy but has improved massively since I was a kid and is full of families that are priced out of five ways/Preston park areas. It's also in a good school catchment area.

Oh and you could easily get a 4-bed with a big garden for £400k in Bevendean

I think the comment that Hastings is like Brighton was 25 years ago is very accurate. I do recall that the last train from Victoria to Brighton always seemed to have a lot of working actors who preferred living in Brighton and commute when the had roles in London theatres. My thinking is with a better rail connection Hastings will attract the theatre people priced out of Brighton so the arts scene will improve (it's currently pretty good but nowhere like as good as Brighton)