Teeny house in Brighton vs big house on Kent coast

[ataloss8]

Myself, DH and our 3 year old son are looking to move to the coast and are torn between buying a very small property in our favourite location (Brighton) or going for a bigger place with more space somewhere like Folkestone or Margate.

Our budget is £400k, which having looked at Rightmove, would just about get us a teeny tiny house with a courtyard garden in our preferred part of Brighton (Hanover/Kemptown), or a much bigger place (three bed with a larger garden) in Kent. We definitely want a house, not a flat and aren't prepared to compromise on that.

I'm a bit concerned about Folkestone as having looked on FB, it seems there's quite a divide between the locals and newbies. I also worry about the lack of diversity and the right wing element, which obviously isn't an issue in Brighton. We really want to be somewhere with a close-knit and accepting community.

Does anyone have any experience of living in these places and what they're like for kids?

What would you do?

@ataloss8

All the visitors will piss you off when you are just trying to get shit done.

I don't think we'd have space for any visitors if we moved to Brighton - the house would be too small! That's another reason to move to Kent - it is nice to have the space for family and friends to stay if you want them to.

I mean tourists to the town. You just want to get your shopping done and there are a dozen hen parties screeching up the street.

@terribletea -well yes, of course it's a generalisation. But I don't think it's ridiculous. It's my experience.

I think the reason Dorothy Stringer had more trans kids was because they moved from other areas where they were bullied and Dorothy Stringer kids were accepting and not unkind because that's what Brighton is about. I know this to be true for two of the trans kids there anyway. They were so much happier after a life of constant bullying in other towns. It's not catching you know. Jeez it's like the 80s with the gays on MN.

Also, I lived there for 3 years and didn’t make one single friend. Not one. It might be different with children as you can have parent friends but I found a lot of people very unwelcoming.

Moved to a different town and had an amazing social life.

@terribletea

January I think that's because it's not true.

Coddled what a ridiculous generalisation. Not my experience at all.

Not sure why your experience and opinion trumps someone else's?

Just reporting exactly what my friend told me and I have no reason to disbelieve her. And as you say, it's an expensive move into a private school.
There are definitely instances of trans contagion in friendship groups at that age - doesn't mean some of them don't change their mind later.

"It's great to visit (apart from the seafront which is a hole) but there's a very superior attitude from many people who live there. It's extremely insular hiding behind a vibe of broadminded."

Coddled Brighton seafront is really pleasant IMO - not sure where you get that from.

Your comment about it being insular while trying to seem broad-minded is spot on though - it took me years to get used to that having spent time in London.

Brighton is fun if you have the time and / or disposable income to enjoy it. I lived there for many years until I realised I was paying a premium and could no longer afford to do the cool things on my doorstep. We're now in Worthing (16min train journey from Brighton) and it's been the perfect compromise. Interestingly even before lockdown we're finding the pull toward Brighton getting weaker as more pubs / bars / shops etc creep along the coast. I would never move back.

Have you looked at Deal that has miles of Beach

Both Worthing & Lewes are lively towns, plenty of relocated people from Brighton & London looking for good value housing.

Brighton is not a breezy place, lots of poverty tucked away & social division.

Eastbourne IMO has no soul. If you're happy living in old people land without a soul then by all means move to Eastbourne. (Sorry people in Eastbourne)

I would actually describe Brighton as 'very left wing' rather than 'liberal and diverse'. If you aren't a vegan, trans-activist, Guardian-reading type it's pretty unwelcoming. And I say that a pretty left-of-centre vegetarian.

I would look at Lewes. Excellent selection of primaries and a good state secondary.

Town is quirky and characterful architecture. Quite well-to-do as well as a bit rough and ready. £450k could get you a nice terrace house and garden. Right on the downs and the river for countryside but super quick train to Brighton and decent direct route into London. Lots of young families have moved there from frenetic Brighton to get the same quirky vibe but a bit more sedate and good schools all within walking distance of anywhere you choose in the town. Brighton is pretty much on your doorstep.

not all houses in Brighton have to be small with no garden. We moved out of Hanover for that very reason and live midway between fiveways and Hollingdean.

Great schools with a lovely vibe, still studenty though!

Hollingdean

I’d choose Brighton, I love Brighton reminds me on holidays as a child.

Location every.single.time

We chose space and a big house over location and regret it so much
So we are planning on downsizing to move to our ideal location this year.
And I cannot wait!

As PP have said, there are plenty of coastal places near Brighton where you'd get a lot more house for your money, are family friendly yet an easy journey into Brighton/London.

Worthing is becoming more family focused and trendier, some nice places to eat, great local cinema, pier, parks, good healthcare. Shoreham, Southwick, Lancing are also worth looking at. I've heard good things about Eastbourne too.

I moved down this way several years ago, and spent some time driving around and walking in the town centres, to get the feel of each place. Shoreham has an arty heritage, high street cafe culture, lots of families. Southwick centre is slightly inland but is fairly chic, nice village green, some lovely property.

£400k would get you a reasonable family home in these Sussex towns.

I live in the outskirts of Brighton, in Saltdean, close to the sea and also the countryside, have lived here since 1998, having grown up and lived in Brighton centre, Portslade, Hangleton and Central Hove at various times in my life and I wouldn’t live anywhere else in this area now. Might be worth having a look?

@KitKat1985

I would actually describe Brighton as 'very left wing' rather than 'liberal and diverse'. If you aren't a vegan, trans-activist, Guardian-reading type it's pretty unwelcoming. And I say that a pretty left-of-centre vegetarian.

😂😂😂😂 oh so true! And make sure you make the most of being able to ride a bicycle everywhere, make use of all those extra cycle lanes!

Brighton appears great fun on the surface, especially to visit on a sunny day but look a little deeper and it's no different to other cities with a big homeless, crime and drug problem. Take a walk through the streets during lockdown without the crowded streets and it's truly grim. It really is not somewhere I would want to bring up a family. Lots of better places along the coast and more for your money too.

@ataloss8 I’ve read most posts but not all so apologies if I’m repeating! How close to the coast do you need to be? There are some really nice villages about 20 mins drive from Brighton, like hurstpierpoint. Lots of young families and an outstanding primary. Hassocks train station is a 5/10 min drive with trains into london.

Alternatively I’ve heard Deal in Kent is great x

I always suggest Eastbourne on these posts and have been shot down in the past. The Old Town area is lovely and is really getting a community feel. There are two 4-16 schools (Gildredge House and Cavendish) that are very popular. In the Rightmove link from PP, look around Motcombe Road, Gore Park Road, Greenfield Road.

I have pretty much always lived in Eastbourne and am now bringing up 2 children here. It is great for families with lots of parks, the beach, the downs.

Have lived all over Brighton and Hove - now happily ensconced down the road in shoreham.

Would you consider other coastal towns in the SE? If so Leigh on Sea in Essex is nice, more reasonable price-wise than Brighton and under an hour into The City if you need to get to London.

We used to live in Hove, moved to Worthing when DC were 2.5 to get a decent size house. Great place to bring up kids, friendly, good schools, close to seafront and Downs. Town centre itself bit grotty but generally a nice place to live. Much friendlier than Hove.

I hated Margate. It had a BNP vibe. So I'd vote Brighton