To move from Brighton to Ringmer (Lewes)?

[Bigbluebeyond]

I'm hoping someone here can help me to make a decision!! We live in Brighton which we absolutely love but we are really outdoorsy and would love a massive garden and space (for us and our dog etc). Does anyone live in or near Ringmer? There are some fab houses and we are really tempted! We can't afford anything spacious or with really decent garden in Brighton. We have reception aged children and plan to have more. Anyone made a similar move? I don't want to end up hating it! Thanks v much.

I've moved out of county now but attended a coven in Ringmer for some years. The coven was great but Ringmer itself is one of the most boring places I have ever visited. I'd rather die than live there.

I don’t know Ringmer but know Brighton, Eastbourne, Hastings, Battle & Cooden very well, so am familiar with the general area.

What do you spend your free time doing now? If it’s doing things that you can only really do in Brighton, and it’s the ‘London by the sea’ atmosphere you enjoy then I’d stay put. If it’s outdoorsy stuff that you could do anywhere, then moving further out wouldn’t necessarily be a problem. Do you drive? Would you mind driving there on a regular basis?

Madcatlady - wow, strong feelings for Ringmer! Good to hear as I will do love the atmosphere of Brighton.

Our free time is spent in the countryside, woods, beaches, national trust. We very rarely head into town. If we did its for the cinema usually, down by the marina.

Oh and yes, we do drive!

Thank you!

I suppose it doesn't necessarily have to be Ringmer, it's more the idea of moving out of Brighton so some where a bit more rural that affords us significant more space and outside space than Brighton. In an ideal world we would have a million pounds and buy a big house with big garden in Brighton but we have a budget of 600-650k MAX. Even the cheaper areas of Brighton you ca t actually get what we really want - massive garden.

Ringmer is a bit dull imo, and from experience it seems to be a bit gossipy. There are some lovely villages and small towns in West Sussex that are worth exploring.

Hassocks is great. Schools, mainline rail, shops, cafes but villagey and right on the Downs.

Thank you! I'm open to all recommendations! Really really don't want a village or gossipy type lifestyle, rather be isolated or anonymous in Brighton, if that makes sense!

Really really don't want a village or gossipy type lifestyle

I have friends who live in various small towns and villages around that area. All of them have said that everybody knows everyone and their business. You are definitely going to lose the isolation and anonymity you enjoy now. There are going to be some big trade offs leaving Brighton.

Ah ok. That is my worst nightmare! I was hoping we might escape that by being a but more rural or isolated ie on the outskirts of places.... Really good point as we would not want to lose anonymity.

I love that nobody has batted an eyelid at madcatladyforever attending a coven but dislikes the gossiping in villages

I live in a village near Uckfield, lovely countryside, great schools and a trainline to London. It's very quiet and I've not encountered 'knowing everyone's business'.

It is quite isolated (I'm from a very big city) but it's close to loads of NT places, the downs, the Ashdown forest and not too far to the beach.

Ringmer secondary school does not have a great reputation at the moment but that can change in the time you've got.

I would move to Lewes if I was rich enough, it's such a lovely town. Uckfield is only 20 minutes drive to Lewes and I really like it here.

We have a massive garden and tbf it's a pain in the derriere - grass cutting takes forever and is very frequent, weeding takes forever and is very frequent, keeping trees, bushes etc under control so they don't go near telephone wires etc, mole hills are always popping up - the weekend can vanish on basic garden maintenance.

Don't do it! I grew up in Lewes so know Ringmer and it's awful and dull.

Brighton resident here. If you bide your time and keep looking it is possible to find big gardens at your budget in Brighton, my close friend did just that. My kids are much older than yours but, honestly, Brighton is such an amazing place for teens! Great clubs, barbecues on the beach, the North Laines... they'll thank you one day!

Thanks everyone for all the really helpful replies! We are looking at Brighton still just haven't found what we need but you are right something may come up! Thanks again.

Agree with catlady- Ringmer is as dull as watching paint dry.

Why not try just outside of Brighton - Patcham is lovely, or Southwick etc
Right near the downs so still very green yet 5 mins from Brighton town by car- perfect!

I agree with others I'm afraid, I think you'd hate Ringmer. And the secondary school is truly dreadful. On your budget, you'd likely find something in Lewes, I think that'd be much more your thing?

Thank you! A resounding no for Ringmer then! Yes, like Patcham and will look at Hassocks and maybe hurstpierpoint too. Thank you

We moved from Brighton to Hassocks, and then from Hassocks to near Henfield. Don’t regret it one bit. We love the quiet life and we’re still close enough to town that it’s easy to pop in. I’d highly recommend moving to the country!

That being said, I once went on a disastrous date with a complete weirdo from Ringmer 😂

Ooh, I forgot about Patcham. My friend used to live there and loved it.

Plenty of other options
Try south wick or portslade or shore ham
I’ve also lived in henfield cowfold steyning and upper beeding before returning north to my roots
I think Lewes end of Sussex more boring and not great access

Thank you! Checking out lots of other options.

Ps this is the house we fell in love with.

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-76155766.html

I think the house is lovely.

I'd rather die than live there.

This made me laugh far more than it should have. 😂

If you want remote, check out West Chiltington way... I’d love to live out that way but the DCs would be bored rigid.