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!

Withdean is a very nice area.

Poets corner, parking might be annoying. We moved out of town for the big garden so wouldn't be my choice but we all have different priorities. You won't have any parking issues in Withdean or Patcham, perhaps you don't drive though?

@mosex we do drive and will also have my parents driving over once a week so parking is important. The house in Poets is opposite the park so there always seems to be lots of spaces as there aren't houses on the other side of the road.
I really can't decide whether I want leafy and peaceful or more urban. I think I'm swaying towards poets corner as I feel it will be easier to settle in being able to walk everywhere and being near the park and beach handy with small kids. Maybe we would then move again later on. Definitely haven't decided though, one of the Withdean houses had a garden like an oasis, it was so peaceful and so many trees and shrubs.

Near wish park? I often park on wish road to go to the beach, especially when the kids were little. I think that would be a great spot actually.

It's difficult isn't it?!

How did you get on on Saturday op?

Poets Corner all day long! It’s lovely, close to sea and the lawns, plus you’ll have decent schools… for Seocndary that’s Blatch and Kings and Hove ok

Provided you are over 70 you will be fine

Not everyone. Some have a stoma

We saw 5 houses on Saturday and put an offer in today on an end of terrace in Poets Corner. Think there's lots of interest so we might not get it 😔should find out tomorrow. Wish us luck, thanks so much for all your advice, you're such a friendly lot!

Good luck!

Fingers crossed 🤞

As someone who knows Bromley and Brighton extremely well I'd stay where you are for now.

You'll begrudge the lack of open space which will make sense only once you move.

What are you on about? I live in brighton, I have the South Downs at the end of my road. Miles and miles of open space

We got the house in Poets Corner!! Now if everyone can please tell me how amazing it is round there and how amazing Victorian terraces are (ive only lived in modern flats) that would be great as I'm so nervous about the move and the house and getting doubts (I always get doubts!)

Oh awesome!!! So pleased for you. Victorian houses have good thick walls and are my favourite type of houses

Happy to show you around when you move down if you like

@Decisionsdecisionsss I'm five minutes from your new place and can confirm that it's fabulous. If your Dcs persuade you into having a dog in the future then you're very close to Hove Park which has a lovely community of dog-walkers, it also has a lovely playground and loads of sports. Congrats OP, you've made a great choice!

Congrats! Victorian terraces are notorious for damp but that doesn't detract from the loveliness and knowing that you're just the next temporary guardian in the house's long history 😍

Look at Shoreham

Brilliant! Very happy for you, and I'm sure you'll be happy there. That first day you walk down to the beach will feel great.

Victorian terraces are my favourite kind of house. Alcoves, wood floors, old doors, and bay windows give character. As a PP said, prone to damp but having wasted a lot of cash on some tanked areas, I realised the best thing to do is have windows open some time every day, and bedroom window at night, and don't shove things between furniture and exterior walls/have furniture all along one.

The houses around there are lovely and there’s a lovely pub (or used to be!). I used to nanny in that area. The YMCA used to do a brilliant toddler group three mornings per week. And the UR Church by George St too, if yours are little.

Thanks everyone 🙂 and it would be lovely to be showed round, thank you @mosex

Sounds like it's great for toddler clubs! My little ones are 2 and newborn so it will be fantastic to have so many groups walking distance by the sound of it.
I'm very excited to have bay windows and a fireplace for Christmas 😃

You'll all love it there and have a brilliant time.

You'll meets lots of fabulous parents and families through nursery and schools etc.

It's a very sociable and fun place to live.

Victorian houses are beautiful, hopefully yours still has all its character in tact. Makes new houses look like an assortment of cardboard boxes…

I lived in a converted Vic house for a while, and yes the bay windows are perfect for Christmas trees! Agree with PP that it was prone to damp / condensation but it wasn’t well maintained by the landlord. A lot colder than the flat I’d moved from too but I can’t imagine it had a drop of insulation. Still loved it though.

Good luck with the move.