What's the best place to live in East Sussex?

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We're moving to the South Coast. While Brighton is very cool of course, it's pretty pricey too! So we're open to ideas and have been exploring the south coast between Brighton and Hastings.

We'll be renting, and wherever we are, I'll need to get to Brighton by public transport in the mornings, and DP will be driving to Hastings.

I'd really appreciate any inside info on where might be good to look?

We liked the look of Seaford - but have only spent about an hour there.

Hastings is really cheap - but Brighton friends have warned us off - it can't be that bad surely?!

DS is really young. I have a nursery sorted in Brighton for him (we'll be commuting together ) but we'll probably move again in a few years so schools aren't a great consideration right now.

While I'd love to just go for Brighton, money is a consideration, and it would seem we can get much more for our money down the coast - or inland - a bit.

So, oh wise mnetters, what do you think?

TIA

Thanks everyone for your replies, I really appreciate it.

I think from what people have said, I now think Hastings would definitely be worth a look - but even so I think I've ruled it out now because of the travel time to Brighton, which I'd have to do several days a week, with DS in tow.

Interesting to hear more negatives about Seaford. I think I may have had my rose tinted glasses on when we visited! I would still consider it though.

It's looking more and more like Eastbourne is where we are going to start our search. Perhaps we should actually visit it
Thanks for the advice on areas, Haylo, that gives us a good starting point.

EdgarAllenPoye and HullyGully I see you have met before sounds like an interesting relationship.

When I started this search I certainly didn't think I'd end up with Eastbourne being the favourite - the only thing I knew about the place was the reputation as a retirement village! But it does seem to suit our needs best - for now at least. (Of course if our budget wasn't so tight things might be very different - Brighton / Lewes / the surrounding countryside look lovely ... maybe later).

This move is only for the next few years anyway, so we can afford to take a chance on a place I think. The really big one will be the next one - choosing the place where DS goes to school and spends his childhood. All bets are on for that one, we haven't even settled on whether it'll be England, Wales or Scotland yet (we have ties to all three)!

But that's another story, I'll come back to that one much later!

I used to live in hastings (Hollington - totally agree that you shouldn't look there!) and commute to brighton for uni.

Pre-dc, mind you, but it was doable, depending on timeo fday. I commuted by car though.

FWIW, I wouldn't move back to Hastings/St Leonards area if you paid me. Grew up there, in a variety of areas - some nice, some hideous, but overall, no way.

I last lived there post uni (doing post grad at Brighton), and worked in anad around the town centre, around 10 years ago now, so hopefully it has changed a bit.

Walk around the town centre at night? hmm, well, I wouldn't.

Hideous amount of social deprivation, and really just not very nice at times.

I worked with foreign students, and when you regualrly have to take young teenagers up to the hospital because they are being beaten up (used to happen at least 3 times a week ) then you just get a bit fed up of a place.

The last year I lived there, I was involved in so many town centre fights (as part of work - keeping my students safe) that I was recognised both at the hospital and at the police station because I was spending so much time there. One particularly memorable evening (all this happened before 10pm, so not even pubs out time) I was involved in defending 4 different students (only 2 of them mine - the other 2, their leaders didn't want to get involved - the students were all under 14) form various attacks. The students crimes? Waiting for a bus.

On the plus side, there is a fab theatre, some lovely country parks around (especially just outside Hastings).

But overall I am very glad I no longer live there.

silverfrog that doesn't sound nice at all. DP is pretty alternative looking. Is it the kind of place he'd get hassle? Or is the violence mainly amongst young people? (Not that that makes it any better, just good to know).

I think it's the type of place where you're either ok, and all is well (and there is lots that is good about the area) or you're not, and it is absiolute hell.

it used to be pretty standard fare to pick on the foreign students. major intolerance form huge sections of locals. I had one girl (about 15, really nice girl, wouldn't have been the type to mouth off or anyhting) pushed into the road in the path of a car , just because she was walking along the pavement. (she was ok, btw, but hugely shocked, and had a massive bruise all along her thigh, right down to the bone where she was hit by a (thankfully already slowing down) car)

It's just a place that seems to be in it's own semi-timewarp. So much deprivation, alongside quite a bit of wealth. Not that brilliant an education to eb had (although the college/uni has opened up since I lived there, which MUST have made a huge difference), and so much bitterness from locals towards holidaymakers/foreign students (who at one time made up a large proportion of income for the town during summer months)

Really quite an odd place, tbh. The lovelty bits really can be lovely, but scratch the surface and the shit is there in bucketloads...

Resurecting this as we've been continuing our hunt, and in case anyone is remotely interested!

We found a lovely place in Brighton (Patcham) we could actually afford, so we tried the Brighton-Hastings drive. And the answer was no way! DP would spend so much time on the road we'd never see him! So we've ruled Brighton out completely.

Similarly anything east of Eastbourne I've deemed too far for me and DS to travel into Brighton from. I must admit Bexhill was tempting because you get so much more for your money, but it's just too far.

We've been looking down the coast line too. My goodness Glynde is lovely! What a beautiful place to live, and only 15 minuts by train from my college. There's a place for rent there we considered, but what we can get for our money in Eastbourne etc is just so much bigger, and better suited to DS that we decided against it. And we're going to be at home a lot as we're studying, so it's important. Highly recommend the pub lunch in Glynde though. 4 cheese macaroni with pecorino and papaya crust. Mmmm-mmmm!

Eastbourne's a definite possibility. Can anyone tell me anything about the other places on that train line? What's Polegare like for example?

Oops can't spell! Ho hum.

I meant Polegate of course!

We love Brighton (Fiveways) for schools, vibe, people, green space, arts & culture and everything - except what you get for your money. Currently renting.

Australian and have lived London, Melbourne, San Fransisco, mainly Perth /Freo (West Australia).

Looking at Hastings but not sure about schools, train links, buzz, restaurants etc etc. Might be a bit provincial for us me thinks.

Plan to buy soon and pretty sure it will be Fiveways for Varndean / Stringer High.

All hail the lodger I say! £400+ / month goes a loooong way on rent > mortgage and we have had beautiful people we hardly ever see except when the cat needs looking after when we go away.

I am looking for a place in that area also, here is info about me:
I am a single mom in my forties, my son will be 5 and a half when we move, I am an artsy type, like to teach dance classes, I would like to be able to take a train to Brighton or London for the day, I will be on a budget of 400-575ish for a 1 bedroom or 2 bedroom place, prefer small yard avail. if possible. I will be moving back (I am British originally from Reading) lived in America for quite a while in Orlando. I hope to find a safe place where I can travel up to 45mins to work part time maybe 3 days per week, I have a masters degree and can teach special educ or tesol. thanks you for any tips.

MArking place.

Hastings does have some nice parts but it is 19th poorest town in the UK: do not touch St Leonards with a barge pole-the regeneration projet still has a way to go.Trains from Hastings to Brighton much improved as now on Ashford Int route and many people now commute.Ebourne to Hastings line is subsidized so although Ebn to Brighton is same distance it costs twice the price than Eastbourne to Hastings!Eastbourne popular with under 25s but it is not going up really: 2 Bank Hol weekends and one of the main attractions is closed! East Sussex has a large no of v elderly and young draining the Health services etc : many on benefits as well.South Coast has a transitory population and can be soulless but life is what you make it...

Polegate is a semi-rural suburb of Eastbourne with direct line to Victoria.Harvester pub there is packed as fab deals on food .You might prefer to look at Hampden Park area of Eastbourne as it has better rail service too and you might find property cheaper than the Old Town -check out West Hampden Park for nice properties

Polegate is not very nice at all Brighton or nothing!

Marce 38- rents in Eastbourne are: £425 for a studio is the cheapest! £600 is quite common for a one bed.There is a website which gives av rents but i cannot remember its name:if I do will let you know.Brighton is more expensive than Ebourne and Hastings is cheaper. Hastings has a uni there now so work for you?

thank you for your replies, I re-did my budget and I think I can pay about 650/month for rent, just looking to be in a place thats not too dreary or crime ridden, and be able to go somewhere to work or maybe tutor people who need to learn English. I would like to take performing arts or dance in my spare time if possible. thanks.

I'm also wondering if Eastbourne is very conservative?

I am not a great fan of Eastbourne- much prfer Brighton but that is me. Ebn is not as Conservative as it was In fact lots of under 25 s in Eastbourne now. Sussex Downs College now big so check out their w/site for job opps. Eastbourne is only a mid-size seaside town for this reason it lacks the more ambitious people aged say 28 - 44 as they cannot really make a carreer. No nice men. Relies heavily on tourism Takes too long to get to C london. Good environment for walking etc good beach and cosmopolitan .A town. Brighton is a city

thanks

Hi there, found this thread thanks to google and wanted to ask if anyone knew what BN20 in Eastbourne was like on the whole please? We're thinking of moving down from Bromley for a better life and wondered if anyone had any knowledge on the roads around North Avenue please?!? Thanks :o)

I too have stumbled across this thread. Like Loulabellewb, we are moving down to BN20 (from CR0 nr Wallington, Sy) and have found a lovely property in Willingdon which I think is around 4 miles outside of Eastbourne. I love the look of the village and the nearest schools seem impressive. I have read through lots of helpful inside info here on local areas as to which places are nice but I would like to know which areas of Eastbourne to avoid. There will be an element of crime everywhere of course but I don't want to live in a road where there will be lots of antisocial behaviour outside my own house. If the Willingdon property falls through, there is another I could view at West Hampden Park but is Hampden Park and West Hampden Pk the same thing and is West ok or no-go?? I wish I had thought of going slightly sooner as we must exchange contracts before my 9 yr old will be accepted at the nearest school (Oct deadline for secondary) and we might live in the same road as school but be late in applying and STILL have to send him somewhere else. So I have the added fear that he will get whatever's left. Our timing could have been better!! Have just learned that East Sussex does not run a grammar system, which in his case is prob not a bad thing since I don't think he would have made the grammars here either.

I have just found this thread too after searching. We are seriously considering St Leonards/ Hastings to move from London, but have heard some conflicting reports regarding behaviour on streets in both towns, has anyone got any up to date views on this? Also, schoolwise -what's the choice? Are there any decent states? I saw a couple of private options (Claremont/Buckswood?) but did not know if they were competitive to get into? Any replies gratefully received! Quite fancy the seaside after all the riots on the streets tonight....

I come from St leonards originally, & still visit weekly at least. I think the area has a lot going for it. There are some dodgy parts, but also some really nice ones. I can advise on this if you wish. :) Only minus part is local state schools, so unfortunately I was forced to move area as private isnt affordable to me. :( If you can afford private then Claremont is an excellent school. My own niece goes there, & I have friends with children there. Of course property is really cheap there too in comparison to the rest of East Sussex. :)

Thanks SparklePrincess - really useful! Sorry to ask more questions but are there any areas you would rec nr either station? We still need to be on a train line to London y'see. Also, was Claremont hard to get into? Do you know if you can go in at any year gp? My father lives in Bexill so I know the area a bit- but you never really know anywhere unless you've lived there I guess. Thanks!

I would suggest having a look at Battle, Ginger, direct train links to London, excellent state (Battle and Langton Primary and Claverham Secondary) and private options (Battle Abbey School primary and secondary).

20 mins drive from Hastings and Bexhill, 30ish from Eastbourne. A really lovely place to live, I love it and don't think I will ever move!

Battle is nice, but v expensive though Jaquelinehyde, & tbh I find people in general are not so friendly. (Present company excluded of course ) Most people dont even feel the need to acknowledge a driver who stops for them on a zebra crossing. V odd & v rude! You must drive v slow or have to endure New Trade Road :( if it takes you 20 minutes to get to Hastings. Lol! I always cut through Netherfield hill & it takes me 10 mins from Battle generally, if that.

Gingermilo, I used to live in West St Leonards near the station. (About a 6 minute walk away) Look up Cavendish Avenue & do a search on 1/4 mile radius. Its really nice there. Direct views to the sea & Beachy Head I had. Was gorgeous! Close to Bexhill too. Battle Abbey Prep is in Bexhill, & Senior in Battle, but id have to say Claremont is nicer imo. I have no idea how easy it is to get into established yeargroups there tbh. I know the senior school section is only opening this year (I think) Prob best to give them a call & check.

If you will consider more inland then Heathfield is a good bet. Very friendly people, excellent state schools, (as good as Battle) & only 10 minutes drive from a station that gets to London in about an hour & 15 mins. Prices are lower because the town doesn't have its own station so you get more for your money. Its only 30 minutes from the coast at Eastbourne, & I can get to Hastings to see my dad in half hour too. There is also a new Sainsbury opening up soon. :) To be honest though, after living in Hastings I find it a bit rural for me. Depends what you're used to.