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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Urgent - does anyone know Hastings?

158 replies

almostautumn · 28/04/2021 12:38

I know this isn't an AIBU, but I need some urgent advice so posting here for traffic. DH and I are considering putting in an offer on a lovely house in Hastings, but are unsure about schools - an important factor as I have two young DC.

Does anyone live in Hastings or know the area well - and if so can you tell me about schools, both primary and secondary?

Thank you!

OP posts:
Jumpers268 · 28/04/2021 17:20

@Whammyyammy wow a lot of hatred for Hastings 😂😂😂.

Candycane57 · 28/04/2021 17:24

A lot of the schools were in a very bad state some time ago but there's definitely been money and effor poured into them to get their ratings up. See if you can speak to someone in a Hastings local forum for genuine opinions- don't trust OFSTED ratings entirely- they judge schools that are tarted up for their visit and children that are threatened with detention if they get a bad rating.

PiccalilliChilli · 28/04/2021 17:25

Hastings for a day out is fine. Hastings after dark is...interesting. If I am getting a late train home from Hastings I don't feel quite safe. Just a feeling.

Apparently Battle is much nicer.

RosaLuxemb0urg · 28/04/2021 17:29

Holy Mother of God! Why the hate? I love Hastings!

Jumpers268 · 28/04/2021 17:31

Yeah I did laugh that OP specifically asked what the school's were like and got "went there for a few hours 20 years ago and it's a shit hole". Did laugh though 😂😂.

IShouldProbablyHooverMore · 28/04/2021 18:13

I never understand the vitriol for Hastings on here. OP, ask on local FB groups - you'll get useful responses from people who live here.

paralysedbyinertia · 28/04/2021 18:15

To be fair, I don't hate Hastings. I lived there for a few years, and I actually quite enjoyed it. I just didn't want dd to grow up there.

Original poster
almostautumn · 28/04/2021 18:37

I never understand the vitriol for Hastings on here. OP, ask on local FB groups - you'll get useful responses from people who live here.

I know, same here - on the occasions I’ve been I’ve never seen any antisocial behaviour, it’s always been fairly quiet and relaxed and just... nice. But then again I live in London so most places seem quiet in comparison!

OP posts:
HelloDaisy · 28/04/2021 19:59

My brother and sister in law live in Old Town and absolutely love living there. We go there a lot, always enjoy it and haven’t felt unsafe. Everyone seems friendly and it does feel like a good community.

Unfortunately though I can’t tell you anything about schools as they don’t have dc so my post probably doesn’t help you at all! Sorry.

BumCat · 28/04/2021 20:06

Don’t ask mumsnet. There have been threads where loads of people have raved about and recommended a town I used to live in and it’s the most boring, snobby place I’ve ever had the misfortune to exist in. Now that was somewhere that every other shop was a charity shop and the rest were vacant. Trying to get a decent meal out was near impossible. But it was on the Thames so apparently it was glorious. Hmm

As I’ve said on the Brighton thread, most of my family live there and I think it’s crap now. I chose to live in Hastings because I love it. Each to their own.

Community spirit is great. Lots of independent businesses, some thriving enough to expand into secondary properties and lots of new ones opening up. There’s been investment in the front and the old swimming pool is currently being turned into a courtyard for dining and shopping. The pier is even looking lively! The beaches and parks are cleaned regularly and there’s some fantastic pubs and restaurants. Also, outside of lockdown plenty of festivals, live music and a group to join for most interests.

Nothing to add on schools. Primary doesn’t worry me and by the time mine goes to secondary who knows what they’ll be like. My friends have a 15 and 16 year old and they are doing quite well, though.

Yes, there’s poverty as well, but when I read anything to do with the town on mumsnet I don’t recognise it as the place where I live.

As others have suggested, join some Facebook groups and ask people who actually live here.

Grilledaubergines · 28/04/2021 20:09

GINIWINE

He/she is, which is why they’re asking. That is research. Not just relying on the offerings of Google. So maybe don’t behave like a twat.

OP, I’ve heard very mixed reports over the years. All areas can be subject to change but in the case of Hastings, it’s remained quite a socially deprived area for decades. I guess I’d be thinking long term prospects for your children once they’ve finished secondary education - unless of course you’re not planning on making it your last move?

Roselilly36 · 28/04/2021 20:20

Needs massive investment, property is cheap for the south coast, would I move there, no way.

ButterflyBitch · 28/04/2021 20:24

I was born and bred in Hasting and my mum and in laws still live there. I hate how it’s always slagged off by people on threads like this. The old town is fab (where in laws live) and yes there are deprived areas but show me anywhere that doesn’t have those. Apologies that I can’t comment on schools but I’m about 30 years out of date for those.
Enjoy it. I miss it so much and love coming back home. Can’t wait to visit my mum again soon.

Vintagevixen · 28/04/2021 21:00

I moved to Hastings last April from London.

Got a super house for a good price right next to an amazing park, I'm very happy.

My DD goes to the main secondary - no it's not shite as others seem to think. It amalgamated from two single sex schools to co-Ed about a year and a half ago so is going through changes but we are happy so far.

Yes there's deprivation- if you just go to the new town you would get a completely one sided impression. The old town is really super - loads of independent shops and places to eat. St Leonard's very very arty. Very lively music scene in normal times.

Alexandra park is amazing. St Helens wood beautiful. The cliffs have amazing views and walks.

Hastings attracts so much slagging on Mumsnet - usually people who once did a day trip and think that makes them experts! Think there are a few on this thread..

WaldenintheWoods · 28/04/2021 21:02

JESUS MARY AND JOSEPH AND THE WEE DONKEY 😂😂😂 @OldLordy 👍🏻

Op, when you've sorted out your living arrangements put Line of Duty on your viewing list Grin

Vintagevixen · 28/04/2021 21:08

I love it here - it is a town with a lot of punk spirit in that it welcomes/encourages the unconventional and artistic.

Plus we bought the pinball ride from Margate dreamland and it opens on 1 May !!

Seagulls are fucking annoying though...

Vintagevixen · 28/04/2021 21:11

Which area is the house in? I might know it.

Join FB group DFL's, OFB's, DFS's - the group for those coming from London and Surrey etc, plus the old town appreciation FB group.

Marble2302 · 28/04/2021 21:14

@StayingHere

I know it. Lived in Battle a good while ago now. Primaries I dont know but a decade ago the secondaries all struggled and when I trained to teach everyone dreaded being sent there for a placement! Having said that, I know a lot has been invested into them in recent years and most are ofsted Good now. It's not a place you move to for great schools tbh but you will get a nice house for your money.
There is a place called Battle? That's great!
Newgirls · 28/04/2021 21:14

On the day trips I’ve been to I think it’s cool and trendy. I know quite a few stylish people who live there tho older than you so I don’t know about the schools. I reckon it’s going to get desirable and expensive.

BumCat · 28/04/2021 21:19

Battle is a weird place. Funny vibe.

Bellyups · 28/04/2021 21:26

Hastings is a dive and the secondary schools are shit

Vintagevixen · 28/04/2021 21:27

@Bellyups

Hastings is a dive and the secondary schools are shit
Do you live in Hastings or did you just visit once in 1997?
Mayhemmumma · 28/04/2021 21:29

I'm tempted to apply for a social work job in Hastings, the money is good because (I assume) there is a lot of need. It's rough for want of a better word.

GreyhoundG1rl · 28/04/2021 21:34

Do you live in Hastings or did you just visit once in 1997?
People don't experience things in exactly the same way. Why isn't that poster's opinion as valid as yours?

1Morewineplease · 28/04/2021 21:35

Don't know about the schools but it has an odd atmosphere. It's like it doesn't know what it wants to be.