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 have two sons and the first went to Davigdor which was a great school in Hove. He had a lovely childhood there is so much extra to do in Brighton and a creative environment.
When we moved my second son’s schools never matched up and I feel he missed out.
When it came to secondary schools though Brighton isn’t that good (unless you have the money to go private) but I think it’s a lovely environment for young children to grow up in.

Wow! So many responses, thanks very much everyone. Loads of food for thought, no closer to making any decision now except pretty consistent advice that Ringmer is dull! We love Lewes but even less likely to get extra large garden there than Brighton. Going to have a look at lots of the places mentioned. Just need to compile a list of potentials! Thanks again!

Well, isn’t it a good job that all of you that think Ringmer is dull don’t live here! It isn’t perfect but there’s a great community that’s very supportive and we find plenty to do locally. Would I like to live in Lewes or a ‘prettier’ village if I could afford it? Sure! But, I can’t. So we live where we can walk to school and for a pint of milk, where there’s a regular bus that gets us to where we need to go and lots of lovely walks right on our doorstep.

But actually, don’t move here! There’s so many people moving out of Brighton that those of us looking to size up as the kids grow can’t afford anything!

I've lived in Ringmer for 17 years now. It's geographically great as you can reach Brighton, Eastbourne, Haywards Heath very easily and London is within easy reach with the trains from nearby Lewes.
Ringmer itself has been great for bringing up kids in, however it has a lot for anyone at any stage of life with stunning countryside walks and many community groups. I have found Ringmer a place where you can be as anonymous as you like, or as involved as you like. I have lived in Brighton, Saltdean, Uckfield and Ringmer, and Ringmer has been my favourite place by far. I'm currently looking forward to the summer- stunning evening walks to Mount Caburn, just on the doorstep!

If you can go that far East, I'd go to Bexhill. Lots of independent shops ( some down at heel, some Chi-Chi hipster) fabulous seafront and access to the downs. If you're Catholic, all the better, as the children can go to St Richard's. The Pavilion is fabulous and there are lots of new restaurants, venues etc. I really like the vibe.
I live in Eastbourne but travel all over the county for my job and agree; Ringmer is dull. Personally I'd not even look at Peacehaven but Rottingdean ( north, away from the coast road) could be worth a look? I don't k ow about house prices there.

Another vote for Shoreham by Sea. Close to the sea, the downs, has a train station and close to Brighton. Also had a great community feel, all amenities you could wish for, including good schools. Good luck!

@lilmishap - I grew up by the sea (not Sussex), but I love escaping down there whenever I can.
reminds me a bit of Ringmer - if I mention where I grew up, people tend to say "I went there once, for a day" - exactly my thoughts on Ringmer, and I was only there for half a day!

Ringmer dull?? I’ve never socialised so much since living here, it’s party, party, party. Lots of fab people, loads of great ladies who get on really well, all similar ages (between 35-50). It’s amazing! Regular buses into Brighton and a Lewes, pubs, takeaways, a fantastic bakery. We are so lucky to live here.

Hurstpierpoint is lovely, I'm biased though as as much as I like visiting Brighton, the thought of living there makes me shiver. I love the countryside and Brighton people live in a brighton bubble. Maybe that's just the people I know though, there is a lot more freedom for teens to get places in a city I suppose!

We did the London-Brighton-Ringmer move.
Won’t lie, it was a bit of a culture shock. And for the first year most weekends were spent meeting up with our friends back in Brighton, Lewes and London as we transitioned to ‘country life’. But then we noticed a lot of our friends beginning to migrate out of the cities anyway as they started craving clean air, more space, and a better pace of life with their little ones.
Back to Ringmer - what really began to help us feel more settled was the primary school. Our children settled in so well and made such good friends that we sort of began to realise that for the primary years at least, the village offered up such a wonderful childhood.
Is it deathly dull? I wouldn’t say ‘deathly’. But that’s quite subjective and quite frankly comparing any village to a city or large-scale town is pointless. What must be said is that Ringmer isn’t devoid of interesting, creative, kind, progressive people. We keep ourselves fairly to ourselves but have still made some very lovely friends, some who are local to the area and others who are interlopers like us. The key thing is that everyone is welcomed. We also know the names of our neighbours! Literally couldn’t tell you any of the names of the ones we lived next to in Brighton or London.
Yes we miss the convenience and vibrancy of Brighton (although not the tiny gardens or parking issues!!) but it’s only 30mins drive away and Lewes is 10mins down the road. Living here we have definitely explored more of the County too. As the children get older we might consider moving somewhere else, but plenty of children in the village catch the bus to Brighton for college or to Uckfield or Lewes, Chailey etc. for the secondary schools.
If you’re looking for Brighton just with quieter, uninterrupted views, then Ringmer will probably be too sedate for you. But, if you are happy to use different places to meet your needs, Ringmer (and the other surrounding villages and towns) offer up a wonderful, inclusive, creative and active lifestyle. Best of luck!

Placemarking as I've got an opinion on this, as we considered the same last year but decided against for a number of reasons which I'll list later today!

We moved from Brighton to Ringmer 9 years ago, and have never looked back. We lived in Central Brighton: shocking parking, litter, and those bloody seagulls!! Drunk students also caused us sleepless nights at times. On our first visit we sat in the Anchor garden, watching the cricket - decision made!! I've never lived in a more welcoming place. Neighbours introduced themselves, I involved myself with local toddler groups, and made the most amazing friends. As others have said, the social side is incredible! There's not many places I know that provide a Mum's night at Christmas, and pull in 80 people!! Yes, people do tend to know what's going on, but I love the fact that I can smile and say hello to everyone. They're just so friendly. A short drive to the sea, Lewes and Brighton on the bus, the most beautiful walks over the downs. The schools are fab, I'm never moving out!!

Ah glad to hear some love for Ringmer! We actually don't mind 'dull", I suppose we just don't want 'small town mentality' as we are so used to liberal, anything goes Brighton. Been really interesting to read all these replies and has helped to clarify what we really want -

Big house with big garden
Quiet, limited neighbours
Rural but within 10 miles of Brighton
Liberal / happy place where its not cliquey
Ideally nice primary school as we plan to privately educate for secondary.
Happy to drive to shops and so on but would like to be able to have walks on our doorstep.

Thanks everyone!!

Do you need to be near the private schools? The house you have in mind looks fabulous

Thank you! As long as it's within half an hr drive or so we don't mind.

We love the house, on paper, so much, only put off by proximity to what appears to be a busy road.

The house is on the old uckfield road - the new main road runs parallel to it so you might hear some road noise but you wouldn't actually be on it.

And for the first year most weekends were spent meeting up with our friends back in Brighton

I did exactly the same thing when I moved from Brighton to Lewes! Every weekend for over a year we would spend in Brighton before we adjusted to Lewes. But Brighton became exciting again and I loved coming back to the quiet of Lewes.

OP I hope you feel the same about Ringmer, I don't think you will regret it.
Good luck with where ever you choose!

By your description Glynde ticks all the boxes.
Plus is stunning.

You won’t afford much more in lewes than brighton, if anything. Lewes is really expensive too. Newhaven is really cheap but is also a dump. Hassocks is nice & more middle ground, same as peacehaven.

Lewes is definitely the nicest area, but you’ll pay for it! 🤑

Wow what a lot of negativity! I would suggest doing a bit more research and listening to people you trust and really know you and what you love...
I know so so many people who live, have lived and want to live in ringmer/Barcombe and the surrounding areas. They all love it and love the mix of being more remote but near lewes which is great, also not too far from Brighton but near the downs. The mums I know usually down from London or from Brighton so have experienced the fast pace, career in the big city and now content to enjoy life surrounded by like minded people. My kids friends love it too.
Being in a village always has pros and cons but how many of us know their neighbours in a city? It’s sad but rarely do.
That place you love looks amazing and by the looks of it isn’t actually in the village so bonus! Listen to your heart.

That house you’re looking at looks really good value, places like that get snapped up quickly! They don’t come up very often... it looks amazing If you’re not sure I might go have a look! 😄