Lewes - tell me all about it!

[ladyjaja]

We had been thinking of move from London to Brighton but are wondering if Lewes might suit us better. But know very little about it...
Could anyone give me a rough guide to the different areas?
We'd be looking for a period house with 4 beds and a garden and we'd be looking for decent state primary and eventually secondary school.
Any areas to avoid? What about flooding - which areas are affected?
And would you recommend it as a place to bring up kids?

Know it a bit, used to know people there a few years ago

Good points:

Lovely historic town
Good schools
Great location (close to Downs and countryside, 15mins in car to Brighton)
'Independent' feel to it IYKWIM
Lots of intersting non-chainy shops, second hand bookshops etc
Decent pubs

Bad points:

Housing VERY expensive (on a par with Brighton, probably)
Pretty middle-class across the board, if that would be an issue for you
Emo teens EVERYWHERE (used to be, anyway - sure it won't have changed)

Thanks notnow! I like most of what you describe! But sadly everywhere we like is expensive - why is it always like that?

Any other Lewes opinions / info on areas etc?

Lewes is great, if a little weird. They burn an effigy of the Pope their every year...

But very pretty in parts. I grew up round there and love it but can't tell you anything about amenities as have now moved away. I can tell you I'd move back there in a heartbeat if I could though. Go for it!

Ah, I love Lewes. I fully intend to retire there.

Flooding - you want to avoid houses near the river, basically Lewes is v hilly so just go for something comfortably above sea level.

I second the flooding issue. TIs a major problem. although there is an amazingly bonfire celebration and the town gets hugely swamped. I like it but not enough to live in centre, out of centre hills are nice.