Do I want to live in Eastbourne or Hastings?

[IWillAlwaysBeinaClubWithYouin1973]

Well, do I? Looking for cheaper areas, I've got £270k max, one DD is in Brighton - can't afford that - and I need to buy freehold so began looking further afield drawing a map on Rightmove from Eastbourne to Hastings and few mile inland. Seems to be a lot of choice for my budget (I put in £280k to give a good overview); but I've only been to these areas once on a long weekend. I work in London one day a week. Is this going to be an option for me?

Who lives in Eastbourne/Hastings and is having a fab time of it? Should mention I am in my 60s so not wanting schools or stuff for kids, but it also means I cant keep moving round. I don't want to be in a"gods waiting room" type area either!

Eastbourne

Just look at some of Dave Listers comments on Red Dwarf about Eastbourne!

Darren Johnson 66 on Twitter occasionally refers to the joys of Hastings

https://x.com/DarrenJohnson66

And you are where the Hastings Diesels Railtours start from!!

The train journey is 20-30 minutes quicker from Eastbourne to London.

. . . and 45 minutes nearer to Brighton, than Hastings to Brighton either driving or by train.

I'd definitely go for Hastings, the St Leonards end.

I keep hearing good things about st leonards.

How about Lewes

Hastings has a dreadful area, I was shocked when we drove through it a few years ago, and I grew up near a massive council estate!

I’d rather live in Eastbourne than Hastings , do you particularly want to be on the coast ?

I like the coast, and it looked as if going inland there are lots of fairly isolated areas, I need a good rail service.

Seem to be going in favour of Eastbourne at the moment - I suppose I was also asking, do I want to live there at all? I was originally looking on Kent coast like Herne Bay, Birchington way - but so many dire areas around there and not much on offer for £280k. I wonder if Herne Bay is the Hastings of Kent?!

Worthing? Nearer Brighton and quite lively these days, I hear. Or Shoreham.

What kind of property is going to suit you, what do you need for your money? and, importantly what do you like doing in your spare time, what kind of vibe do you like around you?

Will I like Lewes? It wasn't within my original Rightmove search as not on my radar - I'll have a look. (Edited to say too expensive. Probably would have liked it then!)

Eastbourne. Hastings is just awful and run down.

I need at least 2 bedrooms, possibly 3, a small garden and must be freehold. Near to station if possible.

I like a quick trip to the shops, and the option to things like join a choir, U3A, cinema. Very sedate activities.

So is Eastbourne 🤷‍♀️

Eastbourne 100% I moved down from London. It's fabulous x

Herne Bay is not the Hastings of Kent. Hastings has a lot of poverty but also trendy bits around the old town. Margate is like Hastings. I think Deal and Folkestone also may be.
Hastings is run down but St Leonards or Hove are better. They are all a long train journey to London.
I prefer Eastbourne and it is good for shopping. I also like Shoreham and Worthing and they are near Brighton for shopping and nightlife.

I'm East Sussex born & bread, with stints in London and further afield at various points. Big vote for Eastbourne from me but your money will go further in Hastings. £280k does not get you a huge amount of choice for 'good' areas in both towns but stuff is available if you're open to less desirable streets.

I was looking myself for v similar money when I bought a couple of years a go- I honed in on 1 bed flats with garden in Upperton, in my budget were also small 2 bed houses in Seaside/Roselands but I deemed it a bit too dodgy. Meads and Old Town are both also 'good' areas.

Eastbourne over Hastings for reasons given by others - much quicker to both Brighton and London. Good stuff going on - theatre, art gallery, parks, seaside walks. Easy to get to Lewes or Brighton for more buzzy vibes if you want them.

I don't know residential areas of Hastings well but the town has a great gallery, but I know it has its fair share of problems with drugs and disadvantaged people- look at statistics etc to see just how disadvantaged Hastings is. This does mean you get more house though!

I'd go for Bexhill. It's not quite the God's Waiting Room proclaimed. Go visit. Great acts play at the De La Warr.

If those are the only option, 100% Eastbourne over Hastings.

Not the only options @Roselilly36 but just trying to find somewhere in the south east, near enough to London and Brighton. I am originally from Kent so I could always go back there but its not doing it for me really.

Have you thought about in between Hastings as Eastbourne? I live in cooden beach which is roughly halfway inbetween both and it’s close to the sea, close enough to both towns but a lovely area with really nice neighbourhoods and homes

Lewes is lovely, but expensive! And not by the sea.

Bexhill is also fabulous. Much smaller than Eastbourne or Hastings, though.

I would also suggest Seaford, (inbetween Brighton & Eastbourne) personally without sounding rude, forget Lewes on your budget, Lewes is very expensive. Good luck in your search.