Hastings/st Leonard's a good place with a newborn?

[Morpheus78]

Considering moving to St Leonard's or Hastings(probably the former) as we can't afford London anymore and i loved the community, creative, friendly atmosphere when I went on the weekend. I just wonder if it's a good place to go with a tiny baby, ie is it safe? Is there a community of other new parents? It seemed really fun to me but also quite pub-focused. We like a bit more of a hippie vibe!

Hastings & St Leonards is very varied. There are places that would suit you, I'm sure. Your best bet is probably to ask on a local Facebook page tbh. I come from the area but left because the schools are not good. You do get a lot of house for your money there in comparison to London & Surrey though!

Come to Eastbourne!! It's got the most beautiful seafront which is buggy friendly all the way along - there's an 8 mike health walk which you can do. You've got the South downs right at your feet for when the little one gets bigger and wants to explore. Events and fairs/carnivals/parades on nearly every weekend. The bandstand has a kids disco and fireworks most weeks and lots of tribute bands during the summer. Huge amounts of classes going on and groups for new mums (buggy fit in the park, baby yoga, sing and sign etc). Also huge choice of schools (some outstanding). New mum myself and wouldn't want to live anywhere else!

Sounds really lovely! I'm wondering if it also has the alternative feel of Hastings though? My partners an artist and we both like being part of a creative community. I don't think that's going to change with the baby (but who knows?!)

Hastings/St Leonards is more for you if you or your DP are arty tbh. Theres a big art scene. Eastbourne is tidier, but its more retirement orientated than family.

Hasting old town is lovely and definitely more quirky than Eastbourne. Some of it reminds me of the Brighton Laines so it definitely ticks that box. However, I don't find the town centre of Hastings very appealing.
Eastbourne is really on the up and is much more family-orientated than it used to be, it's trying to shake off the 'God's waiting room' label. Alex Polizzi recently visited and said how Eastbourne is on the turn - it was featured on her show last week!
Millions has recently been spent on a brand new shopping centre and theatre and its nicely positioned a quick train ride to Brighton, Hastings and Lewes which you might like. Think you need to come down for a weekend and explore along the coast and see which you prefer and what the houses are like - I think you'll find Hastings slightly cheaper. Good luck with your search!

Sounds like a plan! Thanks for all of your advice, it really does sound lovely there.

Worth visiting both. Avoid Bexhill. That is well known as being the only above ground graveyard!

Ha ha that sounds a bit less appealing! Not quite ready for the grave yet 😉

St Leonard's is full of people living in one room, who've been homeless, lots of jobless, alcoholics. It's a very nice little place to visit because it has charm and there are cheap cafes and good charity shops. But not to live, especially with a new born.

Have you considered Folkestone? We are really artsy with huge investment in a Creative Quarter and the Triennial. We have an annual Charivari festival which is arts based and a winter creative lights festival in February. There are loads of free family art workshops year round and a fabulous family atmosphere and community as lots of us have moved down from London. Best thing we ever did....

LRB2017 - I totally agree with you. I live just (2 miles) outside Eastbourne & consider it to be the best kept secret of where to live.

See you on the prom!!

I moved to st leonards a couple of years ago and love it , its very arty , on the up , house prices are still rising and selling ,
lovely buildings , lots of big spacious houses , great cafe culture with new quality shops , cafes and restaurants opening and steadily starting to suceed and stay , as far as inhabitants go theres lots of diversity , homeless , druggies , etc but less now that money is starting to move into the area , also lots that have moved out of london and brighton for a better life,
best plan would be to come and stay for a few weekends and see if its for you , local estate agents call it Shoreditch by the sea

Sounds great! Do you feel safe with all of those addicts? I guess its the same here in London. Folkestone sounds lovely too!

We live in the Hastings/St Leonards area and absolutely love it. We moved down from a very naice area in the Home Counties a few years ago and would never go back - this corner of East Sussex is definitely our home now.

Yes the area does have its problems, but it's on the up, as rising house prices are demonstrating. State schools round here are not good, but if you can afford private there are some lovely options. Otherwise some of the village state schools have better reputations than the town ones.