I would like to live in Brighton and Hove

[0hIdoliketobebesidetheseaside]

Visited last weekend and I really think it’s the place for us. But I’m not sure we can afford it, is there anywhere like it?
Things we loved

beautiful shops in the lanes, seaside, so much to do, arts, live music etc. People seem friendlier than in a lot of places. South Downs for walks

But we have only £250000 and thinking of having a baby soon

any solutions or alternatives?

Lived in Hove for 9 years and now live 9 miles along the coast just before Worthing. Worthing is up and coming and not really associated with old people anymore. I actually prefer it for families than Brighton. Also it’s only 20 mins on the train to Brighton. Although houses prices aren’t cheap, we are 1 miles away from the beach and 1 mile from the South Downs. You could probably get a flat for that price.

Absolutely glorious day here. I love Brighton in the sun, and living ten minutes walk from the beach will never get old for me.

I love the Lanes- we got married at the town hall in November and our photographer got some amazing pics of us using the lanes as a backdrop.

Even at the height of summer he only bit that gets really busy is the bit if beach between the two piers and the run down to the beach from the station.

I am also a resident of Brighton these last 27 years. It's been facinating to read the mixed reviews and many of the negative comments I just don't recognise as the place I live, (but is clearly their legit feeling and experience). It's definitely a marmite place for sure.
I love it here and couldn't imagine living anywhere else. I am 10 mins walk from the centre and 5 from the sea. Yes Brighton has it's problems like all cities. But the creative and arts side of things is brilliant. I am not a lover of shopping, but I do enjoy a wonder in the Lanes and particularly the North Laine, most especially on a Saturday between 9.am and 10.30 they are pretty deserted and a great place to be.
I would add that I am probably twice your age and not about to raise a family though.
Housing is very expensive, but you already know that.
Why not consider it for 2 years and make a longer term decision then?

@0hIdoliketobebesidetheseaside 😁😁 I saw your comment about a one bed flat and raise you two beds (we are prepared to take offers!!)

I don’t understand why anyone would want to live in Brighton - it’s an overpriced shithole.

Thats what I thought of Hastings until I visited the Old Town. It’s a lovely little area full of nice little cafes, shops etc. Much nicer area and had a real vibe.

Folkstone is definitely up and coming. Many of the Kent and SUssex coastal towns may suit.

I’m from the North East, I have lived/worked in Brighton Hove and West Sussex for over 25 years.

it’s been amazing, I was at Fatboy Slim’s legendary Big Beach Boutique and everything!

People have provided links for flats which are leasehold but look at the service charges, one of them was £2,500 a year and they usually increase or rip you off one way or another. £90 to change a communal hallway light bulb etc.

I lived in Brighton for about a year in a block of flats, and then in a terrace in Hove for about 10 years then back in Brighton on the seafront in a Regency property for about a year. It’s great, but there’s nowhere to park, (you have to buy permits), everywhere is really expensive and 250,000 wouldn’t really get you anything least of all with a garden.

Myself and friends/ colleagues all loved living in Brighton/ Hove when child-free etc but as kids get older the trend is that many people (at least among those I know) even those who were die-hard Brighton fans want to leave and go further out.

I can see you asked reliablesource above why they wouldn’t bring up a family there, it’s true what they say there’s lots of open drug dealing, dodgy types, crime, problem areas in town, etc, for me personally it was the issues with noise, antisocial behaviour, wa ting peace, fed up of millions of seagulls and rubbish, and being unable to park the car anywhere after 4 pm.
Also living anywhere in Sussex is expensive. It’s literally London prices for everything but normal wages.

Definitely don’t rule out West Sussex/ Worthing, it’s much more affordable, it’s so easy to get everywhere, Brighton is only a short train, bus, or car journey away.

if you want an even cheaper option, have a look at Lancing, that’s my area, you could probably get something smallish decent with a garden and parking or the option to add, for your money, People knock it but it has a great beach, great links and a fab beachfront cafe/ restaurant called The Perch.

Occasionally the ex Council houses in my area which were bought many years ago go for about 250-270 - might be a doer-upper but they’re freehold and none of the areas are horrific or anything. Same for bungalows, they are in high demand round here but as many were owned by the same people for years they might need some work. But have driveways/ gardens. There are lots of shared ownership schemes too.

Another option is to look at the other side, for example, Saltdean, Peacehaven, Newhaven , Seaford.

I absolutely love Sussex, it has the best of everything, seaside, towns, villages, and fabulous countryside plus easy access to London and all the airports.

Living here is like being on holiday every day, I’m just a few minutes from the beach and South Downs. Good luck. X

Similar circumstances to me, love it!!

Southwick? There's no Southsea. I find Brighton absolutely filthy Worthing is lovely but there's no shops left the town center is dead

Having kids in Brighton and hove is great! There’s so much to do. Endless activities at all levels (competitive and casual sport etc)!and private and state schools. I like Portslade and it has more and more going on but it doesn’t feel like you’re coastal to me.

This thread is a good example of how people like different things. It depends what you want in an area and lifestyle. We live in East Brighton near the hospital and my kids are at school/nursery in whitehawk. Bits of it aren't the prettiest, but the school is excellent even though they have a tough demographic. It's 10 minutes from great beaches at rottingdean which are a lot less crowded and have rockpools fulls of loads of interesting stuff. We're a 20 minute walk from the town and pier, and there's a real sense of community. The downs and the town are both on your doorstep, and it's a great place to live. Summer is like one big holiday - I'm happier here than I've been anywhere else.

Seriously - Folkestone! You can get a proper house for your budget, not just a 1-bed flat you will need to move out of within a couple of years

E.g
found this property on the Rightmove Android app and wanted you to see it: www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/173521862 House

As I said, I have enjoyed many a weekend and day out in Brighton over many years. But in the past couple of years, I’ve spent several days at a time there for work and think it’s increasingly rough, especially after dark, where I’ve seen people openly dealing drugs on the street in Kemptown. Huge amounts of begging and homelessness, and people staggering around under the influence.

I currently live in a London suburb so I’m well aware that these problems exist in all towns to some extent, but I find it much more prevalent in Brighton than where I live. I wouldn’t want my teenage children socialising there of an evening.

When I’ve been working there, I’ve had discussions with colleagues who live there who also agree it’s edgy, so it’s not just my perception.

Still an enjoyable place to visit for a day out but definitely wouldn’t live there.

I spent quite a bit of time in Brighton recently. Honestly, I was surprised at how scary it felt in the town centre. There was really aggressive begging, including a woman who followed me all the way up the street and wouldn't leave until I entered a shop. It does have a great arts/culture/music scene, but some of it is a bit silly and pretentious - while I was there, there was a 'foam art' festival with baristas making pictures in milk on coffee. If I was living my bisexual teens again I'd move there in a heartbeat and flat share and do the clubs and pubs and events, but not as a family.

Wow

I had my two children in Hove and honestly regret moving, it was a lovely creative place to bring up children.
They went to Brunswick Primary School and it was really nice https://www.brunswick.brighton-hove.sch.uk/
The thing people often forget about is how many nice parks there are in Hove, it was great for kids.

Another vote fir Worthing. I think we are so lucky to live here between downs and sea. Traffic is gridlock much of the time, especially east west, and the town centre suffers from online shopping much as most these days, so it's in a transition phase, but we love it.
Great variety of restaurants and bars, cinemas theatre, entertainment venues. Swimming pool, seasonal ice rink, bowling alley, pool hall, seasonal fun fair, great parks, events for children throughout the summer. Museum, escape rooms, lovely pier and prom. Greenspace at Goring Gap, paddle boarding, kite surfing, art cafe. I'm.a big fan!
Aforementioned traffic issues aside, lots of day out destinations within easy reach, Portsmouth, Chichester, Arundel, Brighton. Gatwick in under an hour and London day trip-able. Even the New Forest, e IOW or continent are do able in a day,
Also beautiful sunsets, we are known for too.

Parts of Hastings/St Leonards are becoming increasingly gentrified and it's getting pretty cool, much in the way that Brighton was 40-odd years ago.

They now make the "Hove, actually" joke about St Leonards.

I’ve only been to Brighton a couple of times and not for a few years but yes, this is the vibe I got from it too. It changes when the lights go down, to quote Arctic Monkeys who I believe were describing sheff which is quite hilarious because Sheffield is one of the tamest cities I’ve visited in the U.K. Brighton is a bit dodgy and like a lot of coastal cities, kind of dead. I think it’s popular because it’s close enough to London to commute and people like being close to the sea but pebble beaches are hideous.

I too love Brighton. But is expensive.
If you’re not too bothered about the sea and as you live in Midlands, have you considered Leamington Spa? I find it quite similar to Brighton- regency architecture, smarter, better shops, lots of students so it’s buzzy. The parks are plentiful and better (fewer vagrants) plus you have Cotswolds and Stratford on your doorstep. It looks like a great place to bring up kids and something for all ages.

As I said, I have enjoyed many a weekend and day out in Brighton over many years. But in the past couple of years, I’ve spent several days at a time there for work and think it’s increasingly rough, especially after dark, where I’ve seen people openly dealing drugs on the street in Kemptown. Huge amounts of begging and homelessness, and people staggering around under the influence.

I found out last night that a friend who lives in Brighton was the victim of a racial attack on Friday night. He was walking home after a late shift at work. He lives in Kemptown. 😟

Eastbourne?
Hastings?

Hastings, Folkestone, Margate. All a little edgy, but definitely regenerating.

Having said that, Margate has sand. So vulgar.

Newhaven is on the up as apparently all the arty people who can’t afford Brighton live there. Big art scene and new trendy places opening up associated that. Your money will go further. Nice countryside as you will appreciate that when you have a baby and Brighton is close. Look at ‘look again Newhaven’ Instagram stuff.

Oops, yes. Spell correct did that - I did mean Sothwick