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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask is there a better version of Brighton

687 replies

Wondergirl100 · 26/04/2021 11:10

Sorry a bit cheeky to put on AIBU - but - it's an important question!!

Brighton - great vibes, creativity, open mindedness good schools - but overpriced and the countryside isn't amazing and there are no gardens.

So what is the alternative! Where else is open minded and fun and has sea air and countryside but is not ruined by hen dos and property prices. And needs to have good schools.

Sadly, I have to write off the whole of Kent as I don't approve of grammar system. Unless there is somewhere in Kent with good secondary moderns.

OP posts:
Chanjer · 26/04/2021 22:17

Surprise that someone selling a London house or flat can’t afford Brighton.

They mean Croydon

Vintagevixen · 26/04/2021 22:23

Oh and just to add lots of really lovely houses that, when you are used to London prices, are cheap.

Property market has gone a bit crazy here in the last few months.

Very hilly though - you need strong legs 😂 though it does mean lots of houses have great views (including mine.)

Seagulls are annoying too - I hate the bastards!

IEat · 26/04/2021 22:26

I go to Brighton on day trips , I see the crap, the homeless, the druggys, the graffiti, the rubbish. I wouldn’t want to live there but that’s just me

HugeHoveFan · 26/04/2021 22:30

Lewes is a bit of a mystery to me. It's a 20 minute drive from Brighton and so beautiful with a magical pagan history. I often have a day out there with a friend and our DDs and we'll have lunch, go shopping (lovely independent clothes shops ) and end up at it's gorgeous independent cinema.

But as for actually living there...there's something a bit weird and cultish about its residents.

Back in the early 90s we knew of a large group of very middle class heroin addicts from Lewes. We got to know them superficially and they maintained they were addicts as there wasn't much to do there at night. That always stayed with me...

PussInBin20 · 26/04/2021 22:40

I grew up in Brighton and it was good back then and being in my 20s but I left around 20 yrs ago and I definitely would not move back.

I have family that still live there and on the occasions I visit (rarely) I feel depressed at what I see. Run down boarded up shops in London Road, graffiti, homelessness etc and any space there was in town has been built on. It just looks so overcrowded where there used to be lovely gardens.

My Mum bought her council house on an estate where I grew up. I have fond memories but now it is full of undesirables - my dear deceased Grandad had to call for an ambulance once as some druggie had overdosed and was unconscious on the green opposite. The police are always there now where we never saw them before.

On the plus side I expect my Mum’s house is worth a fortune but it’s nothing special.

Weeedonkey · 26/04/2021 22:45

Those who are hating on Brighton for the shabbiness but loving Bristol, am I missing something?

I’ve seen more homelessness, graffiti and run down areas in Bristol than Brighton. I feel like I’m living in a different Universe 🤣

rarat · 26/04/2021 22:49

Whilst Lewes does make individuals very welcome there is quite a lot of angst around London incomers and house prices pricing old Lewes families out of the town. The families that have lived here for generations are either forced to move, or they are now living in cramped poorly maintained social housing on the periphery.

An awful lot of Londoners would love to stay in London & remain local to family & friends but they've suffered from the impact of rising prices too & can't afford it hence why they move to other areas. No one ever seems to have any sympathy for those locals though or the Londoners who are in social housing & have been shipped further out.

Jamestheleast · 26/04/2021 23:17

Have a look at Kings Lynn, historic Hansa port, not far from seaside and nice countryside. Sandringham and lavender fields
check trains to Liverpool Street

RosesAndHellebores · 27/04/2021 00:12

Yes, Kings Lynn is lovely.

RosesAndHellebores · 27/04/2021 00:18

I don't think anyone has mentioned Bognor. It really surprised me!

SuziQuatrosFatNan · 27/04/2021 00:27

Bugger Bognor.

UnaLength · 27/04/2021 01:05

What about Portsmouth? Super friendly people, loads going on in and around the area, some good schools and loads of lovely beaches. I'd live here again in a heartbeat.

Adreinnesarmy · 27/04/2021 07:10

@Wondergirl100 in response to your question about Dover...as PP have said the town centre is an absolutely but surrounding areas are gorgeous - Alkham Valley, Kearsney. We moved from London to Folkestone three years ago and love it. Best move ever (and we have had a few). The non grammar options are good (Brockhill has its a great reputation and its own farm!) so I would suggest Saltwood area particularly as it is v pretty around there and close to the best non selective option and great primaries. There are plenty of ex Across From Brighton-ers here too seeking the essence of what Brighton was fifteen/twenty years ago before it disappeared up its own bottom 😂. Really cannot rate Folkestone highly enough - it surpassed all our expectations and all of our family could not be happier.

Adreinnesarmy · 27/04/2021 07:12

Missed out vital words with regards to Dover there...”awful shit hole”!

daretodenim · 27/04/2021 07:22

Edinburgh.

waterlego · 27/04/2021 07:50

@MiniTheMinx, I had some cracking nights at the Jazz Rooms in the 90s!

MrsSprogett · 27/04/2021 07:54

I think you ruling out Kent because of the Grammar system (you are not automatically added, you have to apply) is not very opened minded.
Basically you want to be accepted but are not willing to accept what other people want
Don't come to Kent

CatarinaJ · 27/04/2021 07:59

She doesn't want to go to Kent. She's already said that

Adreinnesarmy · 27/04/2021 08:11

@CatarinaJ

She doesn't want to go to Kent. She's already said that
Not if you read all her posts - she’s actually specifically asked what Dover is like...which is in Kent.
Original poster
Wondergirl100 · 27/04/2021 08:39

Thanks for the thoughtful and helpful messages people.

Is that a serious comment that I'm not open minded for disliking the selective secondary system? It's a political opinion - I don't personally judge in any way people who choose to send their children to grammars it just isn't a system I agree with and I wish it didn't exist.

It's a shame as I think parts of Kent are great and I do wonder if I should just get over it - Folkestone is a lovely place ...

OP posts:
Original poster
Wondergirl100 · 27/04/2021 08:40

@MrsSprogett you are indeed automatically affected by the grammar system if you live in a grammar area as it directly impacts the nature of non-grammar schools.

OP posts:
Branleuse · 27/04/2021 08:41

Glasgow west end has a brighton-y vibe imo

TinyGlassOwl · 27/04/2021 08:57

@Branleuse

Glasgow west end has a brighton-y vibe imo
Ooooh yes...give me a gorgeous high-ceilinged tenement in Hyndland over Brighton any day of the week.

Bit far for a London commute though Grin

MrsSprogett · 27/04/2021 09:00

[quote Wondergirl100]@MrsSprogett you are indeed automatically affected by the grammar system if you live in a grammar area as it directly impacts the nature of non-grammar schools.[/quote]
No you don't
I live I the area

Cowbells · 27/04/2021 09:03

@UnaLength

What about Portsmouth? Super friendly people, loads going on in and around the area, some good schools and loads of lovely beaches. I'd live here again in a heartbeat.
That's a good idea. I love Portsmouth. It has a wonderful vibe to it. The docks are interesting - beautifully done. They have the fabulous Victorious Festival which is every bit as good as more famous ones for a fraction of the price. Great music venues, a uni. It's a buzzing town.
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