If you had £500k to buy a house near Brighton, where would you choose and why?

[CobOnTheCorn]

DP would like to live in Brighton but I'm not so sure so my compromise is somewhere close by. Say within 10 miles.

I don't know the area that well so we're going to spend next week in Brighton and take a look around a few areas. So, where do you think we should visit?

Hove, actually!

500k would get you a nice house in Shoreham. That's where I would choose as I couldn't be anywhere too countryfied.

Patcham is a nice part of Brighton that has a more village feel and much easier parking, while still being very close to the centre.

I would also consider Worthing as I think it's very up and coming and a property there could be a good investment. You can also get a spot on the beach as it is no where near as packed as Brighton beaches.

Thanks for your replies.

mrspink what are the schools like in Hove (primary and secondary)? We love Hove park but I seem to remember that some of the Ofsted reports for schools nearby weren't that great.

Kiss I know nothing at about Shoreham. Same question to you about schools. I like the idea of being countrified. But I'ld settle for v large garden.

Forgo to say Kiss that Patcham did seem like an ideal compromise but again some of the school reports weren't great. Spot a theme?

Rottingdean and Saltdean are nice for by the seafront (but go no further East). Lewes and the surrounding villages are lovely (I am a wee bit biased) but still close to Brighton.

Worthing certainly lookalike an option. There seems to be a lot of nice properties for sale on rightmove. I think I read (on here prob)that thetown centre isn't that nice. Am I remembering incorrectly or is that the same as saying 'up and coming'?

Patcham infants and juniors is very good, as is Patcham high. I think you'd also be near Varndean and Dorothy Stringer. Which one(s) did you think weren't good enough?

Lewis def on our list Rug but gardens seem few and far between. Are there certain suburbs or streets where there are houses with larger gardens?

Yeah that can be a problem in Lewes, we were looking at town houses with teeny courtyard gardens . Try Kingston, it's a village just the other side of the A27. Really lovely community, Lewes town centre is walkable and it's right on the downs. Tis where my Dad lives

Kiss glad to hear that about Patcham schools. Patcham high rated 3 In last Ofted report. I am wary of using reports alone so it's encouraging to hear 'real' feedback. Thanks

Rug great tip, thanks. We shall have a wander there.

Ditchling, Hurstpierpoint, Lindfield and Cuckfield are all nice villages but near the larger towns.

The first two are near Hassocks station and the other two are near Haywards Heath station, both on the Brighton to London line, and sometimes quicker to get into Brighton from there than from the outskirts of Brighton.

Schools in the last 2 places are very good, I don't know about the schools in the first two.

Thanks Fairy, v helpful to have other suggestions. DP would still be commuting to London so I'll check the services to London.

I am just the other side of worthing in Goring Hall. £500k would buy you a nice detached 4 bed with a decent sized garden. Beach on one side and downs on the other, good schools and transport links.

Sounds great cantspel, will add to my list and pay a visit. Ta very much.

What is it you each like / dont like about Brighton? Might help people to see what your wants are?

If I had £500k to spend and could afford to SAH still I'd buy this house in a heartbeat

m.rightmove.co.uk/quickPage.html;jsessionid=B5F4D0C1F4DD354FB1CE82251A36A357?page=8&cc=html5%2Fhomepage.html%3Fgoto%3DHOMEPAGE#details

Meh stupid phone, it's a detached flint house in Rodmell

Post we both love what Brighton has to offer in terms of something for everyone, alternative scene, great restaurants, green party, theatre etc and all fairly accessible in a way that London isn't sometimes.

My reservations are the lack of space. I'd like a large garden and osp. I think soe parts of Brighton can be a bit grubby so I like to be able to leave.

Think I've found it Rug, what is Rodmell like?

DP is not that keen to move to a small village. He thinks we won't fit in because his perception of people who live in such villages won't like us.

Personally I'd buy this one:

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-37272380.html?premiumA=true

(no, it's not mine already!)

Wivelsfield
Worthing
Newick
Haywards Heath

Just looking at what you get for your money with a garden!

The outskirts of lewes are lovely, there's still that quirky, alternative feel that you won't get in Worthing, haywards Heath etc and you can walk into town. It's 12 mins on the train to Brighton. Thats why I asked, really. If its about the people and the the feel of thke place rather than the sea, lewes every time. It's arty and quietly rebellious, you'd find people you get on with, I reckon.