To ask is there a better version of Brighton

[Wondergirl100]

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.

You have a bizarre view of Brighton. Having grown up there I don't think there any many places with more misplaced arrogance. It's really not very diverse (yet dripping with people who consider themselves 'woke' and 'inclusive') and so much of it is a real dump.

At one point I think Brighton won in a 'how fast can you score heroin' competition!

That said, it's also weird that you think there's not much countryside there. Having the sea and the Downs are the best things about it!

Shoreham

@DontBiteTheBoobThatFeedsYou

Sheesh, do NOT go to Hastings

Saltdean is stunning, far enough away from the hen do's, close enough to be part of Brighton

What's wrong with Hastings?

It always amuses me when people stress how important open mindedness is to them, while at the same time showing assumptions and prejudice about places they clearly know nothing about.

Totnes in south Devon fits the bill!

@Wondergirl100

Know both Hove and Lewes well and too burby for me.

Anyone know Tunbridge Wells is it at all open minded

Tun Wells is in Kent... and lacking in sea air.

I’ve been told that all the DFLers (“Down From London-ears”) who can’t afford Brighton are in Deal (Kent) now. The houses prices are already upped though.

And... Tunbridge Wells has 3 grammar schools.

Well New Brighton isn't

Norwich? If you get the right suburb good schools, only 45mins-hour to a huge range of fabulous beaches.

WTF??

'Burby'?

I get it - but really? Have a and move to Blackpool

YANBU to ask and the honest answer is no! There really is no coastal town quite like Brighton (and I would include Brighton and Hove as a single entity) and certainly not better in terms of what you are looking for. Obviously, if you won’t get a garden if you live right in the centre but you don’t have to live too far out in order to have one. And I don’t understand how you are so unimpressed with the surrounding countryside.

The are loads of seaside towns which people are suggesting that are very nice but they’re not Brighton!

@Wondergirl100

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.

As far as I know, you’re not forced to apply for a grammar school

Totnes? Stroud? Might not be great for work though - I think somewhere near Bristol might be your best shout. Or Edinburgh. I know neither of these are sea but they have water and not far.

Otherwise look at other South East seaside towns being colonised by Londoners - Hastings etc.

Or head out to Worthing - close enough to Brighton but more for your money.

Hebdon Bridge is between Manchester and Leeds, but in a valley so feels quite closed in - also flooding!

What’s wrong with the grammar system?

@BakeOffRewatch

I’ve been told that all the DFLers (“Down From London-ears”) who can’t afford Brighton are in Deal (Kent) now. The houses prices are already upped though.

Won’t be many ex Londoners who are dazed by Brighton prices

@HugeHoveFan

My DH lived in Hayward's Heath as a teen and said it was the worst town he's ever lived in...

My DSis can confirm. She can't wait to get out but can't sell her (very nice detached) house. She only moved there for IL babysitting and now is divorced and kids adults.

Hebden Bridge or Totnes?
Don't know about the schools there though

@BarbaraofSeville

It always amuses me when people stress how important open mindedness is to them, while at the same time showing assumptions and prejudice about places they clearly know nothing about.

👌

Hebdon

I love Totnes as a place but it's riddled with cranks, conspiracy theorists and covid deniers and not very open minded towards people without money

Saltdean- I lived there till I was 8. What part of it is stunning ( lido is quite cool I guess)? There’s nothing wrong with it but it’s the definition of suburban sprawl, albeit nicely situated between the downs and the sea.

Worthing - I then moved there. Is definitely not the new Brighton and the council have all the strategic skills of a lobotomised potato. It literally took them so long to decide whether to build a multiplex that they went extinct. outskirts are ok but town centre is awful.,

Brighton isn't open minded at all overall. Quite the opposite, unless you fall in with this group think.

@HOkieCOkie

What’s wrong with the grammar system?

I suspect OP's "unless there is somewhere in Kent with good secondary moderns* probably explains it. You should perhaps ask the complementary question "what's wrong with the secondary modern system?"