To move to Brighton and Hove

[Decisionsdecisionsss]

I've name changed for this as I'm giving away lots of info but I am a regular poster.

We made the decision to relocate to B&H from Bromley (South East London suburb) but we are now at the stage of offering on a property and I'm getting really cold feet.
I've been told the secondary schools are too risky due to the lottery. We would be moving away from an area where the schools are consistently good with the option of grammar school (probably wouldn't go to it but it's an option) so it's important that we don't sacrifice a good education for our three boys (currently under 6). We have seen a property we like in Patcham, which would mean our children going to patcham infants, juniors and secondary school but I've heard mixed things about it.

Has anyone made a move like this and was it worth it?! Does anyone live around there they can give some advice?
We wanted to move to be close to the sea and the downs, and we love the vibe and atmosphere particularly in hove and more relaxed lifestyle than London, but we can't afford a big enough house with a garden in the part of Hove we like, so would be looking at Patcham. We are also considering Shoreham.

Any views on these areas would be great. Im wondering if this dream of mine is a bit selfish and whether the kids would be better off staying put, but I've wanted to be near the sea forever, so I'm so torn, and Id also love the opportunity to get into water sports for ourselves and the kids, but would that even happen if we are further up from the sea!?
So. confused! Help!

Havant or Emsworth Beaches close by and easy commute to London 1.5 hours on train if I remember right.

@Zarzuela thanks for your enthusiastic post, it cheered me up. That house you linked to, we are booked in to see next Saturday (couldn't get in before then). Do you think it's safe to be right next to stoneham park? Just thinking about anti social behaviour at night? I might sound like a wimp. Also I thought parking might be an issue.

We saw the one on Amhurst crescent but decided the garden was a bit small. You have got us sussed 😄
So the Patcham house, we were booked in for a second viewing tomorrow ready to offer but they've cancelled it!! Apparently the vendor never agreed to the viewing as they are changing agent. Ffs. Back to square one.
It would be lovely to be a walking distance to the sea, I'll keep my eye on Hove still.

Some other interesting suggestions on here too. It's just hard to start researching all over again. Winchester might be a good shout.

Just replying to your question about Stoneham Park (although I wasn't the pp who linked the house)- Stoneham Park area is v gentrified and proper hipster mum area. I would feel perfectly safe around there. I echo the PP who described Poets corner as the perfect area with its proximity to the quiet beach, water sports at the lagoon etc etc. I used to live around there and wish I'd not left! Portland Rd is great too, with lots of little shops and amenities. Goldstone/West Hove both great schools, as is the secondary at Blatchington Mill.

I lived in Burgess Hill when the kids were growing up - functional but not exciting - a short drive to the sea (Hove lagoon, not Brighton) but too far to be properly spontaneous. BH is a bit bland (as is Haywards Heath) but great country side within walking distance.

Then moved to Hove/Aldrington for a couple of years - absolutely loved it. Great community feel, walk or cycle to the sea. Lots of great pubs, really friendly.

Now living just outside Chichester. Much quieter then Hove, much more conservative (and Conservative) but a beautiful place. Traffic can be appalling (especially on the way to or from the Witterings) but you get to know when not to drive.

I had lots of friends in Patcham and Preston Park. A great place to bring up children,

Also, as others have said, if you're after the seaside life then a house in a town 30 mins drive away is just not going to have the same lifestyle. Living in Brighton (or other surrounding seaside towns others have suggested) will mean that daily pops to the seafront are totally doable. Very good for the soul!!!

All depends, do you like chain shops and restaurants? Or a more indy vibe, plus the beach just a walk away?

Brighton is fab, all the schools are good. All those rich people and no private / grammers means the secondaries have everyone in. (Ok I know there are a few but it’s not London style).

yes it is a bit dirty, there are drugs and homelessness.

just avoid the main strip in tourist season, get some swimming shoes and it’s all gravy.

Some of the places people have mentioned (Haywards Heath, Burgess Hill, Ditchling) are lovely but are not what the OP is looking for. She wants to be in a place right by the sea and actually really likes Brighton.

That's nice to hear, OP
As for Marmion Rd, friends there were happy there. I don't know about the park after dark but I hear https://friendsofstonehampark.uk are energetic at organising all sorts and improving it.

If you're on Facebook you could ask on the Poets Corner group, about that and anything else about the area. There's a Patcham community one too.

I’d go for Chichester, Aldwick, Birdham, , Witterings. Bosham is great, but there are very few properties for sale and those there are, are very expensive. Emsworth is just in Hampshire and is very villagey and pleasant.

I used to live in Patcham op and one of my DC went to Patcham infants for a while. Happy to chat further by Pm

Brighton is usually slated by everyone that doesn't actually live here.

It's a great place. Personal favourite is the Hove side.

Stoneham park area is really nice. Yes, the lottery is a bit of a pain for secondary school but the reality is that most get what they want in the end.

Personally I think patcham is too far out and you might as well live in Haywards Heath.

Same with Hangleton but I prefer it to patcham.

Have you thought of looking at Seaford? Nice little town, good variety of small shops and right on the coast. It's between Eastbourne and Brighton

Ridiculous, you have descended into hysterics.

It’s really refreshing to read a thread that’s bashing a city other than London tbh!

ALL OF THIS. OP you're ignoring some amazing suggestions and your so focused on Brighton but haven't really spent any time there 😩 your thought process frightens me. Hampshire/West Sussex Border is a fantastic place to be and gives you everything you want without the massive price tags and dirty parts of Brighton. Sorry Brighton I do love you but would never live there.

35 minutes from Polegate to Brighton according to National Rail, I had to check as I haven't been to Brighton since Covid. I actually thought the journey was closer to 40 minutes.

The A27 from Polegate to Lewes needs to be turned into a dual carriageway, they've been trying to do it since way before I moved here 12 years ago - I think they've been trying for 20+ years. From Lewes on it's dual carriage way most of the way to Brighton. It's not the most pleasant journey and you will get frustrated at the island near Lewes as it backs up every. single. day from Brighton back to Polegate/Eastbourne
South Downs is very close and beautiful
Seaford - always go for a walk on the beach here - don't have to pay to park the car
Eastbourne - not met any of the Eastern European Criminals but again haven't been going in that regularly - Covid
Lewes is very pretty but extortionately expensive to buy a house and parking is a nightmare
Alfriston - beautiful touristy - Alex Politzi bought and renovated an hotel here
Drusilla's Zoo not visited but apparently great for kids
Couple of good private schools, Bedes, Eastbourne College, St Andrews Prep
I'm not the best advocate because I want to move now, not really explored that much of the area as we were only supposed to be here for 2 years and I've never felt settled/part of the area

Have a look at portslade, south wick and hangleton
shoreham is ok and look towards Worthing eg sompting

True although the kinds of people who hate London tend to hate Brighton too.

Thanks so much for all your responses. I promise I will look at the suggestions just need some time to Google as I haven't heard of a lot of them.
Anywhere further east than brighton is out as it's too far from Guildford, I see my parents weekly so need to be around an hour/hour and 15 minute drive from them.

In terms of what attracts me to hove. What I like about it is probably what a lot of you hate about it. I like it's self consiously hipster vibe, the fancy coffee shops and cafes and the fact it feels like London on sea. I love London and love the sea!

A PP hit the nail on the head that somewhere 30 minutes from the sea probably won't cut it. I want the sea lifestyle, BBQs on the beach, I want us to all be able to do watersports and for my toddler boys to have long hair and look cute on the beach spend lots of time playing on the beach. I know life probably isn't quite like that but it's what attracts me to the coast. Otherwise we would just stay put as I love the area we live in too.

In terms of villages, my DH isn't English and doesn't fancy a stereotypically English village lifestyle, but feels patcham is a good compromise. Safe and bigger houses with gardens and near a city.

Interesting to hear about stoneham park. When we parked outside the other day we were hit with a stench of weed which was a bit off putting but it's good to hear it is mostly family friendly.

Any views on portslade? Seems to be much more affordable but still close to hove lagoon?

What do you this of this house @Decisionsdecisionsss?

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/125892827#/?channel=RES_BUY

Your second paragraph, about its self consciously hipster vibe, is exactly why Brighton sounds right for you. It is all the things you have just summed up (and it's fab).
Portslade, if you stick to the parts nearer the sea, has a similar vibe going on. Only worry is the secondary school in Portslade which doesn't have the best reputation, last time I heard. But loads of families have recently moved that way as priced out of Hove (these people like to refer to Portslade as West Hove 😁).
Patcham is further out, on the outskirts of Brighton, and really doesn't have the same indie shops/cafe culture as central Hove/poets corner/Giveaways etc...but is still 'within city limits' if that makes sense...so your hoped for lifestyle of regular seaside visits still very doable!

Fiveways, not Giveaways!!!

@LostMyUserName we tried to book in to see this tomorrow but they are already full booked and have 4 offers within days. It's like a feeding frenzy in certain areas it seems. Great house though.