Hurstpierpoint/Hassocks - we're moving there - any info?

[Pollyanna]

Does anyone know this area and have any information or experience?

Actually we're moving to Ditchling (I think) and I wondered whether anyone had any views on this area. What are the facilities for toddlers like, any good nurseries? etc. Our older 2 will be going to the local school.

I'm having second thoughts about moving there, please tell me it's ok??

omg hoxtonchick I wonder if you know my PILs!!!

Eastbourne trains run from London Bridge and Victoria via Lewes, although it is a longer journey than HH. What about Hove if you want more urban ?

I really like Hove, but we couldn't get a very big house there, and one of our reasons for moving is that we need more space - the four of them around the house just drive me mad. Also, it would be very difficult, or impossible, to get into a good (or even reasonable) state school.

Portslade? Southwick? Next door to Hove but cheaper property. We've recently moved out of Hove after 10 yrs because we just couldn't afford to live there anymore (like you, desperate for another bedroom). We are in Upper Portslade now (as opposed to Portslade-by-sea), and although I miss being on the seafront as we were in Hove, we are close enough that it doesn't really make a lot of difference. Just means getting the bus when I want to go into Brighton instead of walking! Actually there is quite a nice 'villagey' feel where we are and it's been lovely this summer being so close to the Downs. I even got a refund on my car insurance because we are apparently now in a less 'risky' area!

Def avoid Hassocks, I work there and it is very much a retirement town sandwiched between the "livlier" Ditchling and Hurst. Ditchling is nice but the traffic would drive me mad, I dont know where the house you like is or which way you would be going in the mornings but the high street and little roundabout are frequently deadlocked. Have had most of my road rage incidents there (not me of course-just witnessing others!). Might be worth checking out morning and evening traffic. School has a very good reputation but all I really know is that it has a good chess club!
Hurst high street is also a traffic blackspot and can take 20 mins sometimes to get from hurst to hassocks in rush hour. Sorry-I sound like Im obsessed with roads.
Hurst has better shops than ditchling, more practical for day to day living than tourist stuff, and of course there is Budgens in Hassocks! along with an exciting selection of charity shops, just right for that second hand polyester nighty!
Agree with everyone else that Lewes would be much less of a culture shock.
Good luck whatever you decide
ps Lindfield very nice but probably more expensive than London.

maybe your pils were at my friends wedding cd! her mum has a gallery in ditchling, don't want to put her name on here, will discuss when i meet you!

Message withdrawn

pollyanna, my in laws live in lewes, the schools there are pretty good and the trains up to london are about 1hr 15 mins. any good?x

Worked in Ditchling but wdnt choose to live there with kids - bit isolated. Hurst in great and Hurstpierpoint College is right on your doorstep. Many of my friends are there and there are always at music/dance groups etc with the kids. Agree about the traffic tho, can be awful. We recently went the other way from Hove and are in Bramber village. (do NOT ever consider Burgess Hill!!)

Why is it isolated MABS? We thought Brighton and Lewes seemed quite accessible?

We are going to visit the area again! Lewes seems much more appealing now!

pollyanna all of the smaller villages are isolated... unless you have a car!

as i said, growing up in handcross was rubbish, because the buses are really awful, and don't run after 8 so we could never go out anywhere!

MABS, I used to live in Henfield. We were practically neighbours!

lewes has reasonable shops, you're 10 mins from brighton in good traffic, the houses are not cheap though

Brighton and Lewes are very accessible but really only by car. It's fine for you and dh but wot we are having to consider now as dd gets much older is the public transport so she can go out without us. We have just found out that there is only one bus every hour from here, I can drive to Brighton in 25 mins but the bus takes 1 hr 40!! The nearest station to us is a 15 min drive away. My kids are at school in Hove so I live in my car anyway! Love Lews BUT it was not built for cars , parking is a total nightmare.