Hmmmm – my sister lives in Hastings (just down by Warrior Sq station).
Pros : cheap. They bought their massive 3 bed flat for a song a few years back. Is on the up – the old town is lovely. There’s some decent curry houses and as above, some good beers to be had (but that’s a Sussex thing anyway). You’re on the coast. Would make a good investment if you’re willing to stick with it for a few years, potentially. Have to bear in mind people have been saying that since they moved there about 10 years ago and prices / the place hasn’t improved THAT much so far.
Cons : it can be really dodgy in places. They’ve had problems with anti-social neighbours, car theft etc. My sister isn’t a massive fan of the place in the evening – doesn’t feel safe etc when walking about.
The trains are very expensive too. I’ve commuted from villages / T.Wells to and from London on the Hastings line for longer than I care to remember and prices are now extortionate. A season ticket from our village is something like £4K a year now and a day return to London at peak is £40. The quality of service has improved a lot and the trains are ok. If there’s bad weather in any description you can often kiss goodbye to train services south of T.Wells. You can drive (my sister and brother in law at various points have done that commute) but the A21 isn’t great.
With all that in mind – have lived in Sussex pretty much all my life and love it….