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Original poster

Help me choose (or discover!) in East Sussex

45 replies

Soniarc · 16/07/2023 16:38

Let’s ignore the fact that mortgages are in turmoil at the moment, and pretend like we would be able to move from North Manchester to East Sussex with our 18MO in 2024 like we want to.

I know there are people on here that are very good at this. Where would you move toon Wast Sussex based on the criteria below? We are between Uckfield and Crowborough at the moment. Our budget is £550K or just over for a 4+ bed detached with a large garden.

Must haves:

  • Within a 30min drive to Heathfield (where my in-laws are)
  • With a train station to commute into London should I ever lose my job (or an easy drive to one with easy parking)
  • Safe, community feel, with plenty to do for our little boy. I want to be fine with him going out with his bike alone when he’s 10 or whatever.
  • Good coverage/wi-fi service as husband and I work from home
  • Good nurseries that don’t have waiting lists for the next 20 years

Nice to have:

  • Waitrose (they’ve already done their demographic studies for me 😂)
  • Tennis club for me
  • Nice walks
  • Good train service (I know this is a lot to ask for… I don’t commute to work at the moment but that could change in the future)
  • Walkable into town
  • Some kind of big supermarket nearby

Mumsnet, work your magic! We are going down to suss out the areas in August, so would be open to hearing of more places.

OP posts:
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Ladyro · 17/07/2023 11:03

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LIZS · 17/07/2023 11:08

East Grinstead or look into Kent ie. Tonbridge

hastings4me · 17/07/2023 11:22

Battle or Robertsbridge maybe. Both on main line into London.

FrillyGoatFluff · 17/07/2023 13:51

East Grinstead. But I am biased.

FloofCloud · 17/07/2023 13:59

Sevenoaks, Tunbridge wells (both Kent through) or Battle for me

Shouldbeworkingnotreadingtalk · 17/07/2023 14:04

How about Hailsham? With polegate as your train station ..

Notyetthere · 17/07/2023 14:09

Tunbridge Wells I think is the sweet spot gorgeous all the things you require. About 30mins drive to Heathfield, train stations and supermarkets. Waitrose is down the road in Tonbridge.

Flockameanie · 17/07/2023 15:02

We used to live in between Uckfield and Crowborough. We only lasted a few years before moving elsewhere. That said, I know plenty of people who like it and it ticks many of your boxes!

The train service is pretty dire though. If you want a better one in that neck of the woods you can go further east to the next line over that runs, I think, through East Grinstead.

Chikoletta · 17/07/2023 16:58

What didn't you like about that area @Flockameanie ?

Flockameanie · 17/07/2023 19:46

pretty much all of it! We had a great house, but quickly realised it was a rubbish village and found the whole area really provincial. Reasons:

  • No sense of community
  • No sense of aspiration
  • I was an anomaly as a working mother with a career
  • crap train links
  • uninspiring town centre (Uckfield)
  • No cultural life
  • I hated not being able to walk anywhere that I actually wanted to go to
  • our Village hemmed in by ring roads, so countryside was inaccessible on foot
  • Nowhere decent to eat
  • DD’s primary school mums were really cliquey
But ultimately it was just that we didn’t feel at home there or find ‘our people’. I do have a couple of very good friends from our time there though and they really like(d) it. So it may just be me!

It does have a great independent cinema though and has a pool.

Original poster
Soniarc · 17/07/2023 19:49

@Flockameanie really appreciate the insight! Where exactly did you live between them? The walkability factor is a good one.

I feel like an anomaly anywhere I go here as I’m Spanish. Well aware that I’ll bring the diversity to these places as I do get looks when I walk around Heathfield speaking to my baby in Spanish. Couldn’t care less :)

OP posts:
Flockameanie · 17/07/2023 20:47

Not prepared to say on here as it might be outing. But you can pm me if you want.

Chikoletta · 17/07/2023 22:04

Uh-oh I'm about to move to this area!

CPHB2021 · 19/07/2023 22:45

Heathfield has great schools and nurseries but appreciate you may not want to be in the same town as in-laws.
Tunbridge Wells ticks lots of boxes, Lewes also ticks a lot with a mainline station, too.

There are lots of lovely villages surrounding Heathfield, maybe come and explore a few times!

Best of luck with the move!

Lucyintheskywithcubiczirconia · 12/10/2023 01:55

I’d recommend looking at Battle, lovely place. Good luck!

Original poster
Soniarc · 12/10/2023 13:00

We actually went and loved it! I think the commute into London was a tad too far compared to Uckfield. Do you have any info there?

OP posts:
Goldencup · 12/10/2023 13:06

Etchingham is nice and 7 minutes ( I think) closer to London. I have heard good things about Eastbourne. My impression is that Hailsham is awash with drugs, poorly connected and not all that safe, but does have a nice prezzo and the Cuckoo trail, also has Waitrose.

Original poster
Soniarc · 12/10/2023 18:59

Thanks so much! Is that Hailsham or Heathfield? I ask because there’s a Cuckoo Trail behind my in-laws’ house and it also has a Waitrose. Not aware of any drug issues there though!

OP posts:
WibbleWob · 12/10/2023 20:15

Polegate joins the Cuckoo trail and there is a David Lloyd nearby on the way to Eastbourne- plus a Waitrose in Eastbourne!

Rabbityface · 12/10/2023 20:20

What about Lewes or Hove/outskirts of Brighton? I know not strictly the area you are thinking of but closer to the sea ! Waitrose in Hove and Lewes. Lots to do and culturally brilliant. Art, theatre, festivals etc

KCandtheSunlightBand · 12/10/2023 21:48

Uckfield is a thriving small town, was really sad to have to leave (job relocation), very friendly, decent restaurants, every club you could want for children, good schools, Waitrose, M&S food hall about to open, fab cinema.

I would say that it is better than Crowborough, I think because Crow is so close to Tunbridge Wells that it struggles to keep its High Street going.
also don’t forget Ashdown Forest, easy access and stunning.
Tennis club in Maresfield.
I made more more friends in Uckfield than I have since Uni days.
Also perfect distance from your in-laws!

Original poster
Soniarc · 13/10/2023 09:05

Staying clear of Hailsham! The Cuckoo trail confused me haha.

OP posts:
Petrarkanian · 13/10/2023 09:19

I moved from NW Manchester to the Uckfield area, I live in a village, my kids have been through mainstream primary and secondary and the special school route. I love it down here, the weather is amazing.

Uckfield has great primary schools and an excellent secondary, my kid did brilliantly there, Heathfield is the same.

You don't have access to the train line from Heathfield but you do have a Sainsburys and a Co-op. Uckfield has an excellent independent cinema and a leisure centre, though thats not brilliant.

Hailsham isn't somewhere I would choose to live, secondary school isn't great at the moment but schools change over time.

If money were no object I'd move next door to Pells pool in Lewes.