Moving out of East London to Lewes?

[london2lewesmaybe]

Dear mums-netters,

DH, DD and I are thinking about leaving East London for a more peaceful location. DH works from home and I need to be in London (charing x and Waterloo best stations) 3 times a week. We don't have any family/connections outside of London so it's a bit overwhelming picking a place! So far we like Lewes but I'm worried it's just too far.

I realise I don't want a dull commuter town or a place where there are no pavements. I really want to be able to make friends and have nice places to walk too. I also need to be walking distance to a station. If Lewes really is too far, where should we go?! We would like somewhere with a liberal/welcoming vibe....

I feel like we're probably asking too much lol.

Budget: 1m
Distance: ideally no more than 30 minutes into london
House: ideally detached, min 3 beds

Any suggestions gratefully received!

I should add that DD is 4 so primary/secondary schools are important.

There are a few area in Lewes with no pavements. I actually love Lewes,I shop and eat there. But I was born in a Sussex village, moved to London with my first H, and I absolutely hated it, the noise,fumes, people, traffic. It depends how old your DD is, what you are looking for. I don't live very far from Lewes. We wanted the countryside the beach, I drove just over 100 miles a day round trip to work,so we could have this. DH (2nd) is from West Norwood and he absolutely hates London. You would certainly get much more house for your money.

Morning OP, you sound very similar to us! Also currently in East London & looking to move out although we’re doing it to be closer to family in Kent.
I know Lewes quite well & have NCT friends that moved there. They absolutely love it & say it’s got a great sense of community but they don’t have to commute in to London. I know lots of people do cope with longer commutes in to London but I think the Lewes train goes in to Victoria (though you can change at East Croydon/ Clapham Junction). My friend briefly did it from Brighton & found it really stressful as there were often delays (Southern rail).
Another place you might want to consider is Folkestone- lots of people from London moving there & fast rail service to Kings X. It’s very creative with lots going on.

Almost 2 years ago, our DD moved 5 miles away from us, but she is in a nearby town, she likes the convenience.

Just to add that I’m totally with you on not fancying suburbia but I’ve realised that you if you want to be under an hour in to London then it does tend to be the suburbs. We’re sucking it up to be near my family, it wouldn’t be my preference but I have health issues.

I can tell you for nothing Folkestone even if you discount the nice houses is a shit hole, town centre run down. I was there a year ago. Friends moved over lockdown first to Folkestone and then to Canterbury which they much prefer. Good commute fro Canterbury too, the DW has to be in Kings Cross about 2-3 times a week.

@Gonnagetgoingreturnsagain, oh really? I have a friend that lives there & the old high street, harbour arm & old harbour seem really buzzy though I’m sure it has its rough areas. I much prefer it to Margate though which is the other dfl destination! Good idea on Canterbury though. Faversham is nice too but don’t know about rail links.

Well shortly after we moved to Lewes (from Brighton) we got an anonymous letter - full cut out letters from a newspaper and stick them down job - telling us to go back to where we came from 😂 It is pretty but a very strange place. Living there made the decision to emigrate easy.

Thanks @Summerrabbit ! I had a feeling that was the case- there's a price to be paid for getting out of suburbia, which may or may not be worth it. Good luck with your move to Kent. Having family around would be so lovely, I'm envious!

Holy Moly! I've never heard of such a thing. That would definitely put me off- no wonder you moved!

I will have a look at Canterbury and Faversham, thanks for the tip

Following with interest as also considering similar move.

I don’t know if fireworks bother you but East Sussex has them constantly from September until December.