Is there a smaller Brighton anywhere?!

[donttrythisathome]

I live in Brighton and love it, but want to move somewhere a lot smaller and more rural. I've realised that my dream is somewhere like Brighton. Not, as in, for example, lots of drug deaths and hen parties. More the sea, open-mindedness, lots going on. Just smaller, and greener. Somewhere you can walk to countryside easily, and hear owls at night.

Stop laughing, you over there....!

So, is it an impossible dream?

A small seaside place, that is vibrant and progressive, with a great community. And noticeable owls, or at least easy access thereto?! Oh and work for a future childminder and current carpenter/furniture maker?

Whitby perhaps?

Oh and Whitby.
Seems like there are lots of options, feeling less fed up now. So what does Whitby have?

Totnes has a large 'arty' crowd. Lots of artists and bohemian types. Very pretty and close to Salcombe etc. Lots going on. Whitstable is similar too.

I know so many trendy Londoners who are moving to Hastings. Seriously. Four families in the last 2 yrs, and another couple we know about to make the move.

It will be Brighton prices and similar vibes within a decade, methinks. Good place to invest in.

Lewes - isn't that where they have that horrendous bonfire night 'celebration'?

Whitstable is sweet in parts but quite, umm, parochial compared to Brighton.

Totnes aint cheap and is full of woo, although I do like it, I must admit

You wouldnt go down t'road to Saltdean and up that way, no>

Robin Hoods Bay is lovely - but more of a small village. Lots going on in Whitby - festivals etc.

Hastings

Portland Island is mainly known for the mahoosive prison and young offenders institute .

What type of folk are you looking to live among? Some of the places mentioed are quite hicksville-ish....

Lots of those who move to hastings move to Brighton or move back. Seriously my brother works in film and about 3 or 4 v trendy cool couple bought big and very lovely houses in Hasting 2 moved to Brighton after about a year the other 2 hate it but can't sell!

this would be 600k plus in brighton and look at the price! It was up and coming in the late 90s but never happened! Folkestone had a massive arts council grant a few years ago but not sure what it is like now

Hastings is cheap as chips, though, noddy, whereas Brighton isnt. That is why a lot of Londoners are moving down there, I guess. Friends have a huge Victorian 7 bed house they bought for £200k. The same house in my (bog standard suburban) area of London would cost £2 million!

There are rough parts and there is deprivation, yes, but it has definitely got a buzz about the place and a real community among the small business people and arty types.

I wouldnt leave London if you paid me, mind

No I would rather eat lard and live in London/Brighton than hastings. I do know a few people there and they all say when something is going on about once a year they kind of forgive it but they generally do regret moving there apart from the house. Mostly the women hate it to be fair.

Shoreham.

gone upmarket vastly in recent times, though still small. SHoreham town sports some nice cafes, the beach, houseboats.

may be too expensive though, in the nice bits. (don't bother with Southwick)

Yes shoreham is my fave day out on a sunny day pretend you are abroad place .The new market and cafes etc are very nice

Whitstable is gorgeous.

Don't move to Cornwall if you value culture, acceptance and a good social life :)

Brixham? St Ives?

No sea but Hebden Bridge? Literally surrounded by countryside, but quick train link to Leeds. It is v eclectic, I think you would like it.

lol @ Peacehaven ! How about Lymington, Christchurch, Poole, Lyme Regis, Weymouth or IOW ?

I'm with Noddy on Hastings. Utter shit hole.

Lewes or Whitstable. More jobs in the Lewes area though I would think.

Portsmouth?

Rye, Lewes.

Lake District?

Somewhere along the Jarassic coastline?

we've considered Steyning or Hurstpierpoint, and also around Guildford or Farnham. Realise these aren't seaside, but have reluctantly come to the conclusion that they are no seaside idylls that don't have significant social problems or feck all employment prospects.

Having loved in Brighton for 25 years I will miss it massively. But all good things must come to an end... :(

IME (as a relative local) Portland Island is currently more known as the venue for the olympic sailing and the hideous road traffic system, than the prison/YOI. It is bloody gorgeous though, I think. Lovely views, lovely walks along the cliffs and close enough to Weymouth for the beach and towny stuuf.

Hastings is OK if you buy a lovely house and send your DC to private school (Vinehall and then Sevenoaks/Tonbridge/King's).

I meant LIVED but maybe that was freudian...

Falmouth? I've never been and have no idea if it's actually near the sea but a lot of my crustier brighton-loving friends moved trhere.