Anyone live in Brighton?

[mrapbp]

Hi all,

Just wanted to know if anyone here lives in or has experience of Brighton.

I am potentially looking to relocate the family someone a little more interesting than Swindon (to be fair that could be anywhere!!) and Brighton ticks quite a few boxes.

Swindon is a bloody dump and I am sick and tired of living somewhere that is depressing and it is apparently the town that has been MOST effected by the economic downturn and it shows. The place feels to me like a dying town and I have never been especially keen!

So Brighton is near to London etc for work and going out, near the coast which we would all love and it seems like a place where way more is happening.

Just dont have any real experience of the place other than a few visits so was hoping for an insiders view.

Cheers!

[Epicurus]

Yeah it's a fun town, lovely in the summer, great unique shopping and fantastic nightlife.

Depending on your budget and what kind of property you're looking for then I could advise some different areas to look. Personally I prefer the Hove end of Brighton, not just Hove itself but the area west of the Palace Pier.

Kemp town is not bad either in some areas, then you have more central areas where parking is a nightmare and you have waiting lists for parking permits.

[FZR400RRSP]

We had a fantastic week in Brighton last year.
We were loaned a flat at the Marina, right on the water's edge.
The kids loved it, we loved it.
I'm envious of anyone who lives there, I really am.

[FZR400RRSP]

BTW, I would recommend the Marina if you're looking for property.
I don't know how the prices there compare with other local properties, but they certainly compare well with Aberdeen prices.
They were asking the same for a smart 2-bed flat in Brighton Marina as you would be for a smart 2-bed flat in Aberdeen (around £220k-£250k)
Considering the comparitive climates, views, area and facilities, I was very impressed.

[Iccz]

Originally Posted by bowfer

BTW, I would recommend the Marina if you're looking for property.
I don't know how the prices there compare with other local properties, but they certainly compare well with Aberdeen prices.
They were asking the same for a smart 2-bed flat in Brighton Marina as you would be for a smart 2-bed flat in Aberdeen (around £220k-£250k)
Considering the comparitive climates, views, area and facilities, I was very impressed.

I think most places compare well with Aberdeen prices

Brighton is lovely though, havn't been for years but would certainly like a long weekend down there again.
Though last time I went there were a lot of homeless people sitting about on the streets asking for money, don't know if it's still like that now; but you can get that anywhere though.

[Naaktgeboren]

I will watch this thread with interest, I have been thinking of buying a rental property in the area for a while

[FZR400RRSP]

Originally Posted by CloggyNL

I will watch this thread with interest, I have been thinking of buying a rental property in the area for a while

I think a high proportion of the marina apartments are bought for the holiday rental market.
I would invisage good returns from it.
We found it an ideal base.
Legoland, Thorpe Park and Chessington all within easy reach.
On the days we couldn't be bothered driving, you had the (stupidly expensive) pier and the beach.

[virtual22]

I live just outside Brighton and work there, just a short trip over the south downs in every morning. Our office is on the border between the city centre and kemp town so ideal. Not sure I can help that much really but here's the good and bad as I see it:-

Good:-

I've been to quite a few places in the UK and from my point of view there's no place like Brighton. It's very open minded, people are very tolerant and you get a diverse collection of people here. It's brilliant in the summer with so much going on. Brighton Festival lasts all of May each year and there is loads to do, especially for families. It's in a really good position, if you're like us and just outside you get the best of both world's, you can be in London within an hour on the train and you can be in Brighton within about 15 minutes on a good run (avoid the A23 like the plague in the summer, it just becomes a car park).

The cafe / bar scene in Brighton is fantastic and there's loads of organic and alternative food stores and places to eat. A night out in Brighton is just brilliant in the summer, mooching around the bars etc.

There's some great places to take kids as well, Hove Park, Cycling along the sea front from the Marina to Hove, Queens Park are all good. Weather is pretty good as well and then there's obviously the beach (shame it's not sand but there you go ) Plus every now and then you get a FatBoy Slim concert Surrounding area you have the South Downs, loads of golf courses and the countryside.

Now for the not so good:-

As with any city some of the areas leave a lot to be desired and Brighton has its share. Travelling in the city by public transport is relatively cheap but taking your own car is a nightmare, especially in the summer. Brighton council seems determined to dig up the sea front road every year as soon as the first tourist arrives, even if there appears no need. Parking is hideously expensive and getting across town when it's busy has taken me up to 40 minutes before (about 5 miles). Living in the centre of Brighton is quite expensive as well although prices have fallen back quite a bit lately.

As much as I love Brighton, I personally couldn't live in the city itself, just outside is perfect for us. Let us know if you have any specific queries, don't know if the above will help much really, hope it does though .

[mrapbp]

Thank you all for the replies so far!!

It is very early stages of a thought at the moment but I am trying to sort through a number of things in my life that I am unhappy with and it has become apparent that where I live is one of them. I really cant think of a single good thing (other than it is quiet and safe for the kids which I appreciate is a big thing) about Swindon and considering there are alternatives it seems daft not to at least look at them.

I guess a new place would have to tick a LOT of boxes as uprooting my family is a big deal so I have to ensure we would all benefit and be happy.

For some reason Brighton sprang immediately to mind because I have always enjoyed my visits there. Just have no idea if it is a good place to bring up a family (which I guess needs to be the main concern!!).

[fizzi]

I've worked in Brighton over the years and would never ever move there. It's London on the coast quite literally with all that that entails. High property prices, even at this time of credit crunch, horrendously high parking charges and very strict parking regimes, clampers etc... Expect to queue to get into the multi storey car parks at weekends.

You don't get to choose which secondary school your kids go to - they have a 'names out the hat' system for secondary schools. (Someone may correct me on this shortly but it caused a huge hoo ha in recent years when it was introduced).

The main roads leading in and out of Brighton are appalling. The A23 going out of Brighton northbound (and of course south back in) is duel carriageway but you have to get to it first if heading northwards. The plus side of this is it's not far to Gatwick.

Going west or east the road systems are dreadful, and mostly single lane, multiple roundabouts, and very heavily congested. Brighton is very spread out in all directions and is so crowded they don't have room for their new footie stadium - hence it's being built in the small neighbouring village of Falmer - much to the disgust of locals (I'm not one of them).

If you like festivals and such like there's always something going on especially thru the summer - and Fat Boy Slim is doing yet another beach concert later this year (ticketed) - but - along with all these goes the huge crowds and parking problems etc... Another large annual event every summer is the 4 day Pride festival in August.

The Labour Party conference is held in Brighton some years - it is this year. Expect lots of disruption to accommodate that, and all the accompanying protests and things that go with it.

There is a good train service to London and all points between in all directions - the fast trains to London take about 50 mins.

If you like clubbing you'll be spoilt for choice. Ditto for shopping - all the usual stores plus lots of unique stores.

If you think you'll like the crowded city and roads you'll be fine. But you need to allow extra time to get anywhere.

[FZR400RRSP]

Originally Posted by fizzi

High property prices, even at this time of credit crunch

It's all relative though.
Might be high property prices compared with some places, but perfectly fair compared with others.
Ok, I only looked at properties in the Marina complex, I admit that.
But the marina complex is absolutely beautiful and I would gladly live there.
With it's landscaping and palm trees etc, it really could have been Puerto Banus! (I've been there several times as well).
Shops/restaurants/bars/cinema/beach all within 2 minutes walk and some stunning views possible from a high number of the flats.
The prices seemed very reasonable to me.
Here are some listed below.

Waterside Properties UK Ltd, Brighton Marina - Sales List

[Geege]

I used to live, work and study in Brighton about 7 years ago so know it quite well. As with any city it has its good and bad points as people have mentioned.

Shopping is excellent and the night life is good as well with your usual chain shops in Churchill Square but also good smaller alternative shops in the Lanes area of the centre. Parking is limited and expensive. The parking control is private parking attendants so expect to be clamped or fine. There is excellent transport links to Gatwick and London via train and the bus service is excellent! (Labor government for you). Just like other cities it has its fair share of crime (drugs, violent crime) and has the highest crime rate along with Crawley in Sussex, (although that is to be expected). It has a youthful fun and energetic feel to the city. I don't know Hove that well, but know Brighton and the outer areas better. There are good and bad places as with any place. The Labor party conference will be held this year in September in Brighton so expect some transport problems around the area of the Brighton Centre for a few weeks. There are some nice parks in Brighton (Preston Park etc..) and some lovely countryside, close to the South Downs and coastal areas such as Beachy head.

[jezzer256]

I live near brighton, and whilst it is a lovely place to visit, I wouldn't want to live in central brighton. Shops are good etc. A lot going on in the town. Parking is terrible as others have mentioned.

Jez

PS Come live in sunny worthing eh? :D

[JohnG]

You can get a large 5 bedroom detached round here for £210,000 !

[mrapbp]

Yea but your up north, surprised the houses arent free!!

Originally Posted by JohnG

You can get a large 5 bedroom detached round here for £210,000 !