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

[lowrib]

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

[Nancy66]

totally fell in love with a Hastings property about a year ago but just couldn't make my peace with the area.

nice parts of it but it's still 60% shit hole.

[magimedi]

When ever I go over to Hastings I peer in EA windows & lust but I know it is just day dreaming.

Whereabouts (roughly) are you now?

[Nancy66]

I'm in SW London

[noddyholder]

I don't think it is up and coming although you can get an amazing house My friend got the most beautiful house that she could never have afforded in brighton but she just couldn't get used to living there. I visited her and liked it but it was a 2 day stay so am not sure Interestingly she hasn't managed to sell it and has let it and moved back

[trufflehunterthebadger]

We moved from eastbourne to hastings in july. Dh is hastings born/bred. I love it here, we are never moving back. There is no more crime here than anywhere else, certainly no more than eastbourne (we are both in the police). There are shitty areas everywhere.
We have a wonderful house that we could never afford in eastbourne.

But feel free to think H&SL is a shitehole. We are all happy to perpetuate that myth. Keeps the property prices down.

[Clarewithoutaneye]

I'm considering sending my son to Firle or Alfriston Primary school in September, has anyone got experience with either school that they could share please?