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?

It does sound like Brighton Angel, thanks.

North Somerset:

Dunster

Watchet

Porlock

Sidmouth has a big folk festeval in the summer, it's lovely there.

or even festival

I might move to Leigh on Sea. It sounds lush!

thanks, Verity! do any of these towns have rail links (to bristol? or another coty)
Angels, Leigh on sea sounds v,nice, how long is it to London from there? you would do a great job as an estate agent there!

city, not coty!

Hmm, Sidmouth looks a bit expensive. Cheaper than Brighton though.

Aldeburgh
Southwold / Walberswick
Woodbridge
Lyme Regis

Newton or Mumbles (fishing village) on the edge of the Gower Peninsula!

Really lovely community, diverse population (as a result of being 4 miles from Swansea Univeristy). Loads come to uni here from England/scotland and can't bear to leave. Very laid back due to water sports lovers (surfers,sailors,stand up paddle boarders etc)

Loads of community festivals - folk, jazz, bbc proms, food, arts, walking the listbgoes on. Big range of restaurants in Mumbles (and Swansea). 3 beaches in 15 min walk. Monthly local produce market in village, regular celebrations of this and that. Buzzing on sunny days. Lovely pubs. Children have a safe and inspiring environment to grow up in. Lovely primary and secondary schools.

Crying out for child minders in our village. Good trades people always busy ( we like our natural stuff here and no-one really wants to move so always home improving so plenty of work for carpenters. Try Sa3 on rightmove and look for property in Mumbles, Newton, Langland, Caswell, bishopston.

Oh and owls in the nearby Bishops Woods!

..not that I am biased but what about Canterbury.

We have lots of lovely of rural open spaces, Montessori school/s, owls, bats and are around 10 miles from the nearest coast - Whitstable - further from Margate and Broadstairs. Close enough also to France for days out and "foreign" shopping - fast train service to London around 40 minutes (or less)... Good transports links - M20 / A2 etc to whizz you away quickly - east and west - if you need it ..

Good all round shopping in the City and if you live in a village you get a friendly Postman who knows more about your business that you do !!

Montessori play group and nursery nearby. Forest school gangs in 2 local wooded areas. Family "Art on the beach workshops" in summer. Lots of weaver lentil lovers, artists, laid back surfers. Baby yoga classes, jingly jangly toddler music classes, make an arty mess in someone else's place toddler sessions. Archery and falconry centre (talons and tea sessions!) nearby. Friends of ours (actor and whole food stall owner from Borough Market in London) moved down 18 months ago, opened an organic/wholefood restaurant and they said it was best thing they ever did. Tempted? Come & visit, we moved back from London 10yrs ago as we missed the sea dreadfully (in fact we used to spend all our time in Brighton getting our dose of seaside when we werent coming back for the weekend) so know your yearning!

I am very biased as you can see! And I've drunk too much non decaff tea!

Gower sounds amazing Goodluckcharlielover, thanks for the heads-up. But I had a look at right move and the property for sale isn't very inspiring, and seems a bit pricey too (again not as bad as Brighton though).

Haven't considered Canterbury thanks lookoveryourshoulder. Have never been.

Thanks Verity - are there lots of things going on, work available do you think?

Blu do you live in Suffolk. I am considering it but worried it will be too quiet. But there is something so otherworldly about it that I like.

Someone asked how far Leigh on Sea is from London.

It's a 40 min train ride from Fenchurch St. My DH commutes every day and he says he loves it when the train pulls in at the end of the day and he is at the seaside!

He also goes on about the gorgeous sunrise over the estuary that he sees on his way to the station every morning.

The Leigh- on -Sea Facebook site has loads of lovely photos of the area - the town attracts a lot of arty types and photographers because of the pretty fishing boats and the way the scenery changes with the tides and the weather.

Had a look at the photos Angel it does look beautiful. And hilly, I love hills.

Had a look at Bridport, looks like there is lots going on www.electricpalace.org.uk/ Tempted. Wonder what the schools/housing/work situation is like?

Mind you lots of other places look tempting too. Will have to visit them all I guess. Or just stay here (not an option I think).

now I don't know much about Hastings apart from what's on this thread, but aren't parts of it like Brighton? full of arty veggie types? and also house prices are so cheap.

wouldn't it be worth a visit before discounting it entirely?

(Disclaimer: i know nothing about it, and have been hearing for years that it is up and coming, but you get a lot of house for your money...)

I think Brighton is unique (and a bit misunderstood!). I went to uni there and it's difficult to understand it (and love it) without living there. A lot of my friends assumed it was a dump.

Totnes? Looks arty, cultural, bit new age and countrified. No experience of it just saw it on a programme once and thought it was my type of place!

Chuckling at the Hove suggestions. Shouldn't that be 'Hove Actually'?

Just saw the post above. Hastings is a bit of a dump. Big drug problem...

I've spent an afternoon in Hastings and thought it was really lovely. But husband lived there for a few years and won't hear of it.

I'm in Burgess Hill, work in Brighton. 15 mins on train, surrounded by fab Sussex countryside but your old stomping ground down the line if you need it. Houses cheaper and if you hunt, some decent ones with gardens. We have a woodpecker and, I'm told, an owl (just moved). Also Haywards Heath or Hassocks decent.

Now thinking seaside village outside Swansea might have lots of what we need.

So my mission is this.
Weekends around Bridport, Devon (Dartmouth? Near Totnes?), Falmouth, Mumbles, Stroud area, Aber. Err...probably some other places too!
Then rent for a few months in the most suitable!
Leigh-on-Sea does look great, but we don't need to be near London so perhaps there is no point in paying commuter prices.

Thanks, Burgess Hill is a possible if we stay in the area, although would probably prefer to stay in Brighton.

I've been here 8 years and although away from the Brighton 'scene' its close enough to dip in. Property is very varied but there are some decent ones. Lots of families and very friendly. Town centre dated but I think they're going to improve. Good luck with whatever you decide. Sussex is lovely, I can't see myself moving away from here

OMG, Noooooooo, not Burgess Hill. I lived there for a bit and swiftly moved back to Brighton.

Sorry NedZeppelin