HASTINGS or Eastbourne to live?

[Africa2004]

We're trying to get out of Kent and move towards the coast. Initially we'll have to commute to London but am hoping to get work closer.
We're considering Hastings & Eastbourne due ticking the boxes of affordability, amenities and being near the sea.
We have a budget of 350k.
We are a same sex couple with two children so also need to consider open minds & schools.
Please could I have opinions on what you would do or experience of either place

Walk over the road from THIS and you are on the beach.

Pressed post too early - meant to say I walked past it this morning on a seafront walk. Right next to a lovely park (Princes Park) as well.

I'm from Eastbourne and love it. There are a lot more young families than there were 20 years ago and so much to do locally with children. Most schools in Eastbourne are good. Old Town is very popular with families and there is a choice of good schools.

I know of a number of same sex couples with children, but don't know them well enough to know if they feel accepted. My guess is that they do.

My friends who work for the hospital all seem to work across both EDGH and Conquest.

Thank you all.
Love your message Khalees, I have hope now for our weekend visit, gotta love a posh pointless shop!
Also love how much people from Eastbourne love their location, we'll definitely be visiting & viewing houses there. Feeling like you're on holiday all the time is the dream isn't it?

@magimedi I wouldn’t have a clue, as I say this is from friends who live there and have done all their lives, one has a business in the High Street, it’s their view.

You seem set on Hastings OP, is it just because of the hospital?

At the end of the day it will come down to where you want to live, but I think in terms of nicer place to live about 80% of replies have said Eastbourne.

I would never choose to live in Hastings and I wouldn't consider it a good place to raise kids, but I've grown up in the area my whole life so maybe it's just a lingering reputation.

I'm not set on Hastings. I love the idea of living by the sea and having a mortgage that isn't financially crippling, having the Conquest so close made it seem perfect.
We visited at the weekend, I quite liked the town but it didn't feel right.
I have listened to everyone's opinions & think I'd be foolish to go for it against all the warnings.
My partner is v laid back & will agree to anything for an easy life (plus will be commuting into & staying in London for half the week) so the decision is mostly mine to make.....
Eastbourne is looking good. Or Folkestone anyone??

I think I went 'left field' with you re Folkstone.

I'd start a new thread with Folkstone in the title if I were you.

I'd love to hear what you decide on, when you do............

I know Folkestone fairly well. It's a quicker commute than Eastbourne and you'll get a bit more house for your money. Kent has the grammar school system. There are single sex grammars in Folkestone. I hear terrible things about the other school.

Eastbourne is home, so I am biased, but it has a nicer feel a about it.

My sister (nurse) lives in st Leonard's and is very happy there
It's quite Bohemian and the kids are well settled in the schools
Hastings can be run down but the old town is nice and at Leonard's is hit and miss
I would live there