Moving to Brighton and surrounding areas? Schools? Panic!

[LindaBonSkil]

Hello mums, we're thinking of moving to the Brighton area within the next months. We live in a very small village in East Sussex but both my husband and I would like to move to a bigger city. We have 2 children, 7yr and 12yr, who both like their schools atm so this is the only downside.. as they don't want to move school. Budget is no more than 480K, 4 bedrooms, garden though small would be great to have.
Which areas of Brighton would you recommend? Don't mind living in the surrounding areas, close to beach would be a big bonus though!
Regarding schools, we have no idea of how this would work. Do we move then apply to schools, which all seem oversubscribed?
Thank you all for your help x

Don't think that budget will get you much in Brighton. Gardens are generally small unless you're on the outskirts and there is a lottery system for schools.

Thank you Lightsabre. I know budget not much in Brighton. Any surrounding areas to avoid, that you know of? Any help much appreciated.

Remember that Brighton properties are weird – because of the geography they're often built up, not out, if that makes sense? So you might get a lower ground floor with bathroom and kitchen, ground floor with sitting room & bedroom, first floor with two bedrooms – stuff like that. Unless you've got pots of money (and even then) there will be something weird about placement of bathroom or kitchen. And a postage-stamp garden.

Not sure on outlying areas – you'll definitely get much more for your money in Worthing which is only a short train ride away and has the same best amenities (the sea! Proximity to the downs!) but is a lot sleepier.

How about Lewes? Or Shoreham/Portslade? Or outer Hove? I get the impression secondary schools are a problem in these areas also but not as much pressure on places as Brighton itself. House prices are marginally lower too.

Have you looked at Seaford?

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-78453938.html#_full-description

For an example

Hey, we live in Brighton with two little ones.

Patcham would be a good area to look at as i think you would be okay with that budget, especially if go Coledean way. Patcham high is a good school from what i have heard.

Westdene is also very family friendly and has a good junior school but you would have to check on senior.

Both of these above would take about 20 mins on a bus into town and are on good bus routes.

Worthing and Shoreham are options but obviously not brighton.

Happy to help as born in B-town and now back raising kids.

T x

Thank you so much everyone. Worthing would be too far too west, Lewes not quite Brighton enough, as moving from Wealden area (near Hailsham). We'll look into Patcham, Westdene and other surrounding areas.

Thanks again! xx

Just wondering what you all make of Saltdean? Of course not Brighton vibe in any way but we'd get a lot more for our money. Primary school seems good, secondary also now seems good? We currently have 1 son is Y2 and 1 in Y7.. We don't mind the quiet as where we are now it is very rural. How are buses to Brighton? Anyone with teenagers living there? Thank you all so much!

We lived in Vrighton when we had DS and lots of our NCT friends moved to the Hove side of Portslade. No idea how affordable that is, though.

It would be worth looking at Portslade as you might get a bit closer to the beach and schools are generally not oversubscribed. PACA and Kings have pretty good reputations for secondary. Mile oak is a bit more suburban but you would get a lot more for your money. www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-74675705.html
You can contact schools regarding in year admissions before you move and they will advise on any waiting lists or likelihood of getting a place.