Haywards Heath

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Once restrictions lift, we’ll be taking a look at this area to potentially buy in (seems to tick boxes for us - trainline, distance to London/Brighton, etc). What would people recommend we look at/for? Planned to book a hotel and take a walk around the roads in different areas near(ish) to the station, look at parks, sample local restaurant/pubs, etc... Any suggestions to get a feel for the area?!

Should have called this thread ‘tips for getting to know a new area’ - I don’t necessarily need Haywards Heath centric info!

I think that sounds like a good way to get a feel. I guess it depends on what your priorities are? Schools and childrens' facilities? Outdoor hobbies? Eating out?

I live about 10 mins from HH and think it's a great area, although I wouldn't live in the town itself as I don't think it has very much character. We did start looking there initially as I thought I needed to walk to the station for my London commute, but accepting a short drive opened up a much bigger area which incorporated the lovely villages nearby, and so that is where we bought. Covid and WFH has reinforced that this was absolutely the right decision since I don't think I will ever need to go to London more than 2 or 3 days a week from now on.

I am a 10 min drive from a different station on the London-Brighton mainline, which works better for me since I get a seat before the HH crowds get on :D

DH and I love it here - the rural walks from our doorstep are lovely, and the South Downs are a very short drive. Our village isn't one of the perfect picture postcard ones but it is still lovely, and lots of great pubs nearby. We love it here.

Happy hunting!

Oops, didn't mean to repeat how much we love it. I mean, we do, but not enough to say it twice in the same paragraph

Thanks so much for your reply @SussexDweller - do you mind me asking which village you’re in/station you’re near? I think because my husband and I have always lived in central London, not being near a station and having a fair bit around us would be too much of a shock. Plus, we don’t have a car - I can drive so we plan to get one when we move, but we don’t want to have to rely on it.

Priorities wise, all of the things you mentioned really - we have 2 young children so schools, parks, swimming pool etc, but we’d also like to be near a good mix of pubs, restaurants etc. And it would be lovely to be able to have nice rural walks close by too. Not a lot to ask, surely...

If you have any recommendations on areas within HH to look at/avoid, it would be greatly appreciated!

@SussexDweller - We also wanted to do a nice walk before heading home - am I right in thinking we could do the Ardingly reservoir walk from HH, and jump on the train back to London from Balcombe? And is there a nice Sunday roast pub anywhere on the route?

Sure, I will DM you rather than get too detailed on here.

If it works for your budget I'd reccomend Lindfield. We live a couple of villages further out than Lindfield as house is tied to DH job, but Lindfield is lovely, real village/community feel with restaurants, coop, doctors, pubs etc but still walking distance to HH (Inc station) and to primary and secondary schools, while keeping the rural feel

@SussexDweller Thank you!

@LG93 A couple of people had mentioned Lindfield to me but I didn’t think it was walking distance! Will definitely take a look, thanks!

You walk or cycle to HH station from parts of cuckfield and lindfield. The villages are traditionally the naice places to live, though HH is slowly gentrifying too. Slowly...

Definitely recommend Cuckfield and Lindfield. The latter is walkable to the station.

Thanks @sauvignonblue @Henlie

Had a little look at Lindfield and it looks perfect so will def have a walk round there... only problem is I’m doubtful our budget will stretch there (450/475ish, and hoping for a 4 bed)...

I’m not so keen on the actual town center but the surrounding area is nice. The villages nearby such as Cuckfield are lovely.

I think you will struggle to get a four bed in Lindfield for the budget, the villages command a premium and are snapped up quickly. A longer walk to town, but you could get a four bed in Bolnore for the budget. It has a shop, primary school, nursery and nice community feel.

I lived there quite a while ago but it was always difficult to park at HH station and I’m guessing that it won’t have improved. I would recommend that you check out the parking situation and if it’s still bad, make sure that you’re in walking distance or can use one of the stations earlier on the line. It also used to be hard to get on the train at peak time in the mornings, and on a few occasions we had to give up and wait for the next train - this was one of the reasons that we moved away. Other than that, I liked living in the area.

Re trains, there is a new car park only built in the last few years. If you are committing before 0900 in the morning you will easily get a space. Post covid, more people will be working from home so I expect the trains will be quieter going forward. In the past few years the only times it is difficult to get on the train is if there was severe disruption, which isn’t that frequently.

I grew up I one of the surrounding villages mentioned on this thread. I’m always amazed that anyone actually wants to live in Haywards Heath. It’s completely soulless, traffic and parking are horrific and is mega expensive.

The surrounding countryside/villages are lovely but again so very expensive.

I hope that you find something in your budget.

I don’t know the village, but this looks nice. The area might be a bit cheaper than HH town centre

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/90074095#/

@AllTheCakes - it’s great that the station parking situation has improved, we lived in walking distance but that always put us off buying somewhere bigger/nicer that was a little further out.

@NowRightHere Yes, there is a Waitrose by the station and part of the building of that included building a multi storey station car park, so it is much better.

There are some new restaurants and coffee shops popping up in the town too. Not many decent shops but lots of green areas nearby to walk and decent shopping in Brighton or Crawley.

@GlubGlubGlub Open to other places, but it just seems to tick a lot of boxes. Feel free to share suggestions

[quote GlubGlubGlub]I don’t know the village, but this looks nice. The area might be a bit cheaper than HH town centre

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/90074095#/[/quote]
This is nearer East Grinstead than HH. Station parking is good and it's the end of the line so you always get a seat in the mornings.

I suggest Horsham.

I live on the edge of HH, moved from London 7 years ago and have no regrets. The town feels a little sleepy after living in London but I do love it and the Broadway has some nice bars and restaurants now.

Much prefer the villages but we needed a 5 bed house and there wasn't a huge amount of choice. Wivelsfield Green is nice, lindfield is gorgeous. Bolnore is very new but nicely done.

Thanks @DuchessMinnie, good to know. Will also look at Bolnore, Lindfield looks beautiful but not convinced our budget will stretch.

@SwimBaby I like Horsham, so this is on our list too.