Please talk to me about Bexhill-on-Sea and London for my brother

[GeneralEyes]

He is currently in a house mortgage free which pre-covid was valued at around 800k. He is 68, and hoping to retire soon. Thinking of a budget of up to 300k to downsize to somewhere by the sea, and Bexhill seems good value for money and very nice. it’s also not too far from the more expensive town where his daughter and grandchildren live.

The idea is that the rest of the money from the sale of the current house could be used to invest in a flat in London ideally zone 2 for adult daughter, but not sure how feasible this may be, could be too much of a stretch?

Would anyone recommend Bexhill-on-sea? My brother has Parkinson’s and a dog.

My nan used to live in Bexhill, it is lovely for older people, gorgeous seafront and local shops and amenities. 300k would get him something lovely, there are loads of retirement type places which would be good if he is disabled. I hope he is happy with this plan though!! 500k for one adult daughter?? Hope she’s not taking the piss out of him!!

ha ha yes, I think she would be paying rent though! And she wouldn’t own it.

He isn’t that disabled actually, just a bit slower than he was. Stairs are not a problem.

He might not be now but better to future proof if making a big move!

I trink Cooden is much nicer, but less amenities there, Little Common is closeby and has shops etc though - my best friend used to love there so not lived there myself though

Bexhill is a great place for retiring especially if you have a medical condition. I used to work for the NHS trust that covers that area, Hastings is where you are sent if you break a hip or bones and that's only down the road.
Lots to do in Bexhill and Hastings, nice beach, clubs and meet ups for retirees everywhere.
Sounds ideal for him and his money will go a long way, Bexhill is inexpensive to buy - I suppose it's not too popular with young people because it's a retirement town so they all go and live in Hastings which has more of a vibe for youngsters.

Actually, bexhill isn't the retirement place everyone still seems to think it is!!

Once, yes it was, but not so much now. There are loads of sheltered accommodation for the older folk and social 'stuff' for them. And yes a lovely promenade that's easy to access and walk. But it's also very much a young person town now. Lots and lots of young families because it's such a lovely place to live. (I know cos I live here!)

£300,000 will get home a nice-ish seafront apartment or a nice 3 bed away from the front.

The previous posted who mentioned they prefer Cooden and little common - it's still all bexhill. Cooden is very nice but very expensive and £300,000 wouldn't get much.

interesting, thank you! Actually we didn’t happen upon Bexhill because of the supposed older demographic - more because of the value for money and location. If there are quite a lot of older people that’s fine but younger families too, well that sounds perfect. He’s not into older folks’ “social” stuff at all and is happy with books, radio, dog, chatting to the odd passerby about the dog, etc.

seafront appartement sounds perfect, i’ve seen a couple on rightmove, but not sure about dog in a flat. Although the dog is getting older too of course!

Look carefully at the net tax effects of stamp duty and which he buys as second home, and of rental income.

Bexhill is a fairly 'slow' town lol. But that's really nice actually! The promenade is lovely because it's not built up with loads of amusements and tourist attractions (we let hastings have all that and good job too!) Dogs are allowed on there but have to be kept on lead. If he's after off lead places there are plenty of open grass spaces and a couple woods.

If he moves to somewhere without allocated parking, then parking on the front is free at the mo, but that's going to change very soon to permits and pay & display.

I live right on the front and while it's lovely and scenic, it does get busy on sunny days and the holidays. And on event days (like carnival, roaring 20's etc), you can say goodbye to finding a parking space when you get home lol.

Town centre is mostly filled with charity shops and cafes, but there are a couple co-ops, an Iceland and independent shops and boutiques. A library, main big post office and several banks and pharmacies. If he wants bigger ships, then there's Ravenside retail park to the east of bexhill that has a large Tesco and boots, Poundland, b&q Halfords, pets at home, b&m and M&S. and a swimming pool.

If you want any other info just ask!

Thank you FrostyGirl
can you tell me, is there a direct train to Lewes? i think there is?

The area has got younger in the last 20 years but East Sussex is still heavily populated with older people so plenty of people to meet.
But compared with London with its wide range of teaching hospitals I would not agree the medical facilities are good. Small local hospitals like Bexhill or Eastbourne mean travelling to at least Brighton or even Haywards Heath for the appropriate treatment in some cases . For example in this area a surgeon is a general surgeon In larger places they specialise in just one area of surgery. Much better.
You have been warned

Yes there's a direct train link to Lewes, but not all of them, so gotta be careful which time you go!

Hastings hospital is very large. I wouldn't let what the other posted said put you off.

Bexhill is a lovely place, a bit slower paced than other places, and not your run of the mill high street shops either. Lovely seafront/promenade, we have considered retiring there...

The medical and hospital facilities sound fine, and if he did have to travel further afield that would not necessarily be a problem.
@YinMnBlue thank you for pointing that out, I think we can find a way round it. Will certainly take advice.
frosty girl that’s useful information including about dog walking !

Does anyone think the London part of this plan is a bit of a stretch?

I think his daughter is having a lovely time for herself getting 500k towards a property which she will likely pay minimal rent then end up inheriting when he dies or moving out of if he requires care Home fees. Just make sure he is not being pressured into it by them and he gets the budget he needs to have a fab retirement.

Thank you! There’s no worry there honestly. i could give more details but it might be a bit outing .

£500k should be enough for a 2 bed flat in zone 2, yes, though you'll get better value for money in East or South East London, and she may not be able to have the holy trinity of all 3 of spacious flat, nice area and outside space, if all of that is a concern for her? You can search on the different zones on rightmove to see what's available, although personally I'd be looking at actual journey times to work/the centre rather than the zone per se... Parts of zone 3 are an easy 30 min or less tube ride to central London whereas some zone 2 parts are a bit of a transport black spot!

@maxelly What are the parts of zone 3 that you suggest?
South East London is not a preference due to transport links, but the holy trinity you mention is not a dealbreaker. Of the three, safe area is the most important - space and outside area are not expected, although a small terrace or balcony would be nice. Perhaps i should start a separate thread on this, I don’t know!

I think he needs to start with a house price revalue just in case his house value has fallen. The economic outlook for house prices is changing. Out of this he'll need to set aside conveyancing, removal and stamp duty costs for both properties (unless he has desperate savings to use). This could shrink the budgets. Even though he'll be renting to his daughter, there will still be legal and tax obligations so he needs to be fully aware of these (specialist insurances if letting). Who will physically do repairs etc. He'll need to declare any income to HMRC.

I think realistically, he will have about £450K for the London property which isn't a huge amount but could get a two bed flat in somewhere like Walthamstow or Finchley. Wanstead is a nice area. You said not SE London but there are some really nice areas like Blackheath or Greenwich and these would be an easy journey to Bexhill.

Desperate =separate!

My dad lives in Bexhill, has done since the 1980s. He's in his late 70s now and it suits him, he lives very quietly and doesn't do much. But his female friends of similar ages who like to be a bit more sociable and lively live just along the coast in St Leonard's and they like it a lot. So prob depends what he's after. Bexhill definitely cheaper!

Lightsabre Yes certainly need a revalue! I am assuming, however, that the places he’s thinking of buying in will have gone down in price as well though, so shouldn’t have too much of an effect?
Yes he has some savings and conveyancing, removal costs, stamp duty are factored in. The idea would be to move to the seaside place and settle in there, before thinking of reinvesting the balance of the sale in a second property.
A one bedroom flat in London would be sufficient.... more important to be central as possible. I will be “looking after” the London place and it needs to be accessible to me. If it is in my name too that will help him for tax purposes.
houseforanartlover the quieter the better as far as he is concerned! It sounds ideal!

Just wondering WHY Bexhill is so cheap though! Is there some terrible aspect I am simply overlooking?

Re cheapness, the train to London is not quick so it's prob less appealing to commuters maybe? Takes a couple of hours London-Bexhill. When my dad used to commute he drove to Battle to get the train from there as much quicker. I don't know what the local schools are like, maybe another factor - obviously wouldn't be an issue for your dad though.