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.

Well it depends a bit on what side of London/station she needs to come into for work but in general 'nice'/posh/safe areas that are slightly further out include:

*North London for the Jublilee/Northern lines or the Thameslink: West Hampstead/Hampstead/Highgate/Muswell Hill

*East London for the Victoria line or the overground: Stoke Newington/Walthamstow/Wanstead/Forest Gate/Leyton (latter 2 perhaps a bit more 'up and coming'/grungy cool than established middle class)

*South East London for the overground (I know you said she didn't want this but there are some lovely areas and can have very good fast connections esp into London Bridge): Greenwich/Blackheath/Hither Green/Forest Hill

*West/South West London for the district line or overground: Putney/Chiswick/Kew/Richmond

If she's prepared to go down to a 1 bed and/or not have outside space she'll definitely get a really nice flat in one of these areas for £450-£500k! You could start another thread saying where (roughly) she needs to get to for work, budget and 'wish list' and people will probably be able to post some links and have really good suggestions!

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

There's no real reason. Bexhill is a lovely place with no hidden evil! I'm not sure why it's cheaper, but it's more expensive then hastings/st Leonard's and eastbourne.

Although make sure he avoids north bexhill (called sidley). It's not terrible, but it's considered the less desirable part of bexhill.

I’d like to thank you all for your thoughtful input! Every post has been really really useful. Chat with estate agent reveals the valuation on his house is pretty much the same (although of course the agent would say that). Mainly because there is a low supply of of houses for sale in the area at the moment. Next step will be a drive down to check out Bexhill!

Bexhill is cheap as the transport is poor, 2 hours to London (you can do london to York in the same time!), there aren’t many well paid jobs locally and it isn’t glamorous. However if you are retired and happy to stay local then it is lovely. The pace of life is slow, people are friendly, the beach wonderful for walks all year round, there is always something going on in summer to dabble in be it classic cars on the front, festival of the sea, the horse show, carnival, an exhibition or comedian at the de la warr(pre Covid) and there are some lovely local restaurants.