Is it just me or has Brighton gone downhill?

[Newmeagain]

I was there for a weekend about 15 or 16 years ago. I have memories of lots of interesting, independent shops and eating places, particularly in the lanes and around that area.

I went today and was really disappointed. No interesting shops, restaurants were mainly chains. Some nice independent coffee places but that’s about it.

Has it changed or are my memories clouded?

The centre of Brighton is utterly grim, I hate it. l don't know what the suburbs are like.

North Laine area is full of quirky shops but personally much prefer Hove.

Brighton is fantastic! Nowhere else is quite like it. Yeah, it's grubby, and there are poor people (omg, poor people getting in the way, how dreadful) but there are so many independent shops, restos, coffee shops. Nice to visit a place which isn't just an homogeneous blob, or filled with chazzas and betting shops and nothing else.

What's the difference between a chazza and a poor person

I lived there for decades and raised my kids there. Very few of my friends or their adult kids still live there, and they all say it’s because it has gone markedly downhill. My son and daughter-in-law considered moving back recently but after testing it for a few weeks decided they decided my friends were right, and are looking elsewhere.

What's the difference between a chazza and a poor person
a chazza is a charity shop

Really miss the area being oop north now. I wouldn't live in Brighton but surrounding area. The vibe here is just different, not necessarily better or worse (all towns/cities are experiencing similar deprivation). Miss the proximity to sea, Downs, London, Portsmouth etc, historical towns, (historical towns/cities still exist in North) sheer diversity. People seem to be more interesting and ready to talk in Brighton area. They talk up north and are friendly but not "interesting" if that makes sense. For me where I live is "comfortable" a bit like putting on a warm blanket to watch the tv and keep the elements out whereas Brighton area is both "comfortable" and stimulating at the same time. Not sure I've explained myself, but for me (and it likely is different for others) it really is a different feeling. I guess I feel more alive and not brain dead in Brighton area than here :)

See also Bournemouth.

I love Brighton. I love its creative, non-judgemental, hedonistic atmosphere.

We moved here a few years ago and after a sticky beginning really love it. Yes there are social problems but the energy and physical beauty of the place is amazing. Plus there is a real sense of community that visitors like the posters above probably have no idea about.

I think the whole world 'has gone downhill' these days.
(Although, I have declare, I have not visited it all - primarily because it's all gone downhill.)

It's a shite hole now but they are spending millions on rejuvenating Boscombe which has always been an even bigger shite hole

Go woke, go broke.

Am very fond of Brighton. Best people watching in the UK. High energy. Great coffee shops. Yes it’s shitty but fun shitty. I wouldn’t want to live there though.

My ds and his friend went recently and was disappointed with Brighton. I haven’t been for a few years, but last time I went, I was unimpressed by all the graffiti as you drive in. There’s other nicer places.,

I quite like it. Walked along the beach front to the pair at dusk on my own felt very safe.

There's a world of difference between Brighton poverty and say Chatham poverty where the latter has zero pull for tourists and zero potential to ever bounce back. Money is going into Brighton.

Totally agree.

The seafront going towards Hove/Portslade is nice and has been redeveloped a lot lately. DC like the new skatepark and some of their friends have started playing volleyball.

I agree it can be a bit tacky sometimes (we were counting Hen-dos in town today) but it's usually good natured. Even on a Saturday evening it doesn't feel unsafe like where DH grew up in East London feels to me.

That estate used to be really rough.

Probably still is, it's the only place I've ever seen an XL Bully dog.

Lol at chazzas and betting shops being sneered at when you pretend to be so woke and edgy laughing at the others talking about poverty

The places where there are tons of betting shops are full of, guess what? Poor people.

Brighton was nice in the 80’s, for shopping and veggie food and the beach. It got much busier by the noughties, very lively. And now it’s tipped too far for me, it’s too aware of its image and reinforces it, so that it’s almost a brand, rather than a place. The perky types who love to say there’s nowhere like it… I imagine they have fun colours in their hair and are dressed the current equivalent of Colin Hunt from the fast show.. or was it Bellamys people, if anyone even knows what I’m referring to.

I think generally the majority of large English seaside towns lean towards a run down ‘past their best’ feel. The Victorian grandeur has long since decayed. Drugs are always an issue when you have a marina/ large harbour. And often the contrast between poverty and wealth is at its most pronounced.

I live in Leeds and have visited a number of these coastal cities; Brighton, Southampton, Portsmouth etc. What strikes me more than anything is that they seem deprived. I just didn’t expect these places to have that feel. Give me a northern city anyday.

I don’t know Brighton very well, but the Michelin Guide lists over 20 restaurants in Brighton and plenty are in BN1. You really didn’t do your homework!