We've decided to move to Brighton - anyone got any advice?

[Jess3]

We're thinking of moving to Brighton and I'd love to hear from someone that can advise on areas that are best for families and schools etc. We ideally want to be within walking distance of the station as we'll have to commute back to London for work. Any and all advice welcome! Thanks.

Preston Park is the best area within Brighton itself for schools - house prices tend to be a bit eye-watering though. Preston Park station is one stop up the line from Brighton - a lot of people commute from there (or cycle to the main station).

My sister lives in Seven Dials area and loves it (v near station)

yes, we're Preston Park and it's perfect for schools and commuting. feel a bit cut off from sea and shops though (we're the hove side of the rail line).

looking at schools now. if I'd done my research properly 6 months ago, I'd probably have gone for the streets east of preston park itself as it's surrounded by great (primary) schools. 20-30k price premium however.

Hove was wonderful too, but limited school options unless you can / are willing to go the church school route.

has been a fantastic move though. highly recommend it.

blimey Brummie - Preston Park's a long way to run from Brum

Brilliant thank you. DH really wants to be within walking distance of the sea, but I'm sure there's a ridiculous premium on property prices the nearer the sea you are. We'll have to see what happens. Thanks everyone.

It's either schools OR sea I'm afraid... (speaking as someone who could afford neither)

Ah... 'tis as I suspected. I believe DH's rose tinted specs need to come off! Having just become used to living away from a town (we moved out of London 4 years ago) and its amenities I am longing to return to being able to walk the children to school and to a cafe! Pathetic what you miss isn't it.

I understand that a good family part of town is Preston Park - how far from the sea and the main town is it?

Seven Dials, that Moondog mentioned, where is that? What of Kemp Town? Where are Kirstie and Phil when you need them!!

Preston Park is slightly inland. You wouldn't be able to walk into town from there. Kemp Town is on the Eastern side of town and is very bohemian. It is right on the seafront and is a bustling sort of 'villagey' atmoshphere. It had a festival this summer which was really great. They closed off the main street and there was a parade and all sorts of stalls and entertainments going on. We saw Patsy Palmer there and Kamal from Big Brother. Kemp Town is where the hospital is and you can easily walk into town from there. My dds' teachers both live there.
We live up near the racecourse, in a village beginning with W. It is very family friendly, brilliant primary school, good mother & toddler groups and great bus links into town. Plus, we're right up on the Downs, so can see the sea and racehorses go past every day. We have lived in all areas of Brighton and prefer living on the periphery now.
Hope this is helpful, but more than happy to answer more queries if I can.

Seven Dials is walking distance slightly North West of Brighton Station. Again, I have lived here, but pre dds. If you head over towards the Hove boundary there is a lovely park called St Annes Wells gardens and there is a good primary school across the road too. Parking can be a nightmare in Brighton though, and if you're relatively central you will need to buy a Residents Parking permit.

Brighton is fantastically compact - amazing variety of things within walkable distances. However, as pesto says, probably about two miles or so from Preston Park to the sea.

Kemp Town is great (used to live there) - very atmospheric and friendly, lots of period properties, original Regency terraces and so on - but the schools are dodgy I think - I remember being told that there was one good primary and no good secondaries. This was a few years ago though - probably worth going on the OFSTED site to see what it says. Also, houses with gardens are in short supply there.

Seven Dials is about a mile north of the seafront I guess, fairly central - easy to get into centre of town from there. Architecturally very nice, lots of delis and pretty little shops. Don't know about the schools there.

I live between fiveways and preston park and I love it The schools have been brilliant and I often walk into town and catch a bus back.The park is lovely and there are a couple of good pubs.House prices are calming down atm and I can't reccommend it highly enough.

I moved here from London last year. I live in Seven Dials (well just near St Ann's well gardens) and really like it. I can walk to the sea and to the shops. The schools are good here too. We bought here as we needed to be able to get to the station as well, and can walk there in less than10 minutes. The park is really nice too.

I don't know how old your children are, but don't underestimate how difficult it is to get into the state schools. I had one in year 1 and one in y3 and couldn't get places at any good schools for them, and no places in the same school for them. I was naive about this definitely.

The problem with Kemp Town for you is that is isn't walking distance from the station. However, Kemp Town/Queens park is cheaper.

You could also consider being near HOve station - I think there are some nice roads there, but again, it isn't cheap.

I found a book called The Juicy Guide to Brighton very helpful as it describes all the different areas. It is fairly out of date in terms of house prices now though.

If you are serious about looking for property in Brighton, we have a weekly free magazine called Latest Homes. I have also found it on-line
here

That's fantastic! Thank you.

I hope you do decide to come down here. It is honestly a brilliant place to live. There's always something going on, tons of nightlife/restaurants/cafes etc plus you've got the seaside and the Downs on your doorstep. I couldn't recommend it highly enough. And of course you're still less than an hour away from London and Gatwick is 30 mins away up the road. I could go on & on (and will if you want )
Keep firing away with questions. More than happy to help if I can.

In May we have the Brighton Festival and both my dds & I participate in the Childrens Parade which is made up of most of the schools in Brighton. Huge fun. Another childrens festival is coming up shortly and is spectacular too, it is called
the Burning of the Clocks
Anyway, I do hope we shall soon be sharing all this with you.

Brummie, why do you say school options are limited in Hove? All the 7 or so primaries are fine, some excellent, good ofsteds, lots of other good things. There are 2 secondaries, one outstanding for music and the arts, the other pretty good as well.

Yes, your're right iheartdusty, but we were looking for non-faith primary schools and the choice then got very limited.

Our 2 closest schools were CofE and very selective (on grounds of religion). It was West Hove or West Hove, and the boundary for West Hove was contracting fast. Alternatives would be a drive away.

It was the main reason we moved areas, which was a shame because I absolutely loved Hove. Much more friendly. Like a large village.

Am zipping my lips with irritation about church schools

Fair enough Brummie!

(yes the faith thing gets my goat, it effectively meant no preference for us because the only school we were close enough to wouldn't touch us with a bargepole nor we them!)

I thought about starting my own religion and getting state funding for a school. It would be a really, really fun religion and everyone would want to join.