St. Leonards / Hastings

[Twinifers]

Hi,
i've seen a couple of threads on here re. St Leonards / Hastings but nothing in 2020, so...
We're a family of 4 currently living in North London, we've run out of space and rather than taking on more debt in an uncertain economic climate we're considering a move out of town. We've been to St Leonards a couple of times in the last 12 months and really like it and we could afford the required space. The biggest question for me is 'are there any good state secondary schools there? Two daughters are just finishing year 5 now so one year left . Both are dyslexic so would require a bit of additional help.
Both of us parents can work from home with maybe 2-3 days a month in London.
I've read quite a lot of negative comments on various threads about St Leonards (+ Hastings) but there is something about the place that on the surface appeals. Seems there is a creative community and i work in music / partner in PR so be nice to be around like-minded people.
Would be really interested to hear positives / negatives.
Is the place on the up? Are opportunities improving etc? Seems like a place that has a bit of potential to develope / improve.
Thanks for listening,
TWNFRS

I don't know about schools, but my dad has a place he rents out on Bohemia Road in St Leonards. I have to say, I'm not that keen on the area. Before he rented his place out, he used to go there for weekends and had his window of his cab smashed (it is a black cab, so I know they can be a target cos people think there's possibly money in there). He didn't have any money in there, but he did have some tatty old coat of his in there which they stole.

I prefer more Bexhill way, just gives me a much nicer vibe.

There's a couple of schools in the area, might be worth looking at their websites?

I live in Eastbourne (I also moved from North London many years ago) and have a lot of friends living in Hastings and they love it. They haven't had any issues, although you do need to be a little careful where you live as you would anywhere. I would not have any concerns about living there and have never felt unsafe. I find the people very friendly. Some of my friends have chosen to send their children to schools in neighbouring areas - Claverham in Battle, St Richard's Catholic College in Bexhill (both fantastic), the grammar schools in Tunbridge Wells or they've got scholarships at local independents. The children who have gone to the local schools in Hastings seem to have done just as well.

Lots of people on here say that Folkestone is very nice - artsy with good schools.

Family member lived in Eastbourne and then moved their job to St Leonards. They then found out that NO ONE moved to St Leonards as it was so grotty. That was 20 years ago and nothing much seems tohave changed seeing as bad road and rail connections does not attract many firms. Bexhill is far nicer

It’s worth comparing the deprivation map to where you are now or to other alternatives

vis.oobrien.com/booth/#

Thanks for the responses so far everyone, very appreciated - please keep them coming :-)

I live in Bexhill so know parts of Hastings and St Leonards. It's very mixed: plenty of arty, creative types but also a lot of deprivation. I can't help with secondary schools, but my dd decided to go to Hastings college for her A Levels and is really enjoying it (or was until covid closed everything down).

[quote GreyishDays]It’s worth comparing the deprivation map to where you are now or to other alternatives

vis.oobrien.com/booth/#[/quote]
thanks , i had no idea that this existed.

I would honestly avoid St Leonards completely. It's a very run down and deprived with high crime rate. The schools are terrible for children, most requiring improvement. We used to live on Sandringham Heights (western side) and even living in a supposedly out of the way cul-de-sac we had a horrific experience with local ASB. I would not want to bring children up there.

What about Lewes Op? Not sure what your budget is though….it can be quiet pricey there. But probably has the vibe you’re after.