I'm moving to Brighton in January with the wife for a new job, and I'm very excited indeed. Been there a few times, and I really like it, but obviously it's different to live there.
So, what's good, what's bad and what's the riding like? Is there an STW chapter in Brighton for riding/drinking?
I lived in Brighton for a couple of years a little while ago and for me good and bad of the place were.
Bad:
Expensive rent/property/beer prices.
Poor quality of a lot of the older housing stock, be very careful about basement flats they will be more than likely damp.
The place is quite dirty.
Expensive parking permits, why they charge more in some areas when the scheme has a limited number of places anyway is pure exploitation, when looking at property phone the council and check the waiting list for a parking place in that area (can be up to 2 years).
Good:
Loads of things to see and do around the place.
Very good for socialising.
Hardly ever need to use a car ( a lot of people don't bother having one ).
As for riding there is a surprising amount of bridle-ways around the downs, especially to the east of Brighton and there are local groups you can hook up with. I think getting up onto the downs was the thing that kept me sane while I lived there with me not really being a city type person.
You are a lucky lucky person.
Brighton was my home for six years until earlier this year, and guess what? I'm thinking about moving back.
The South Downs wrap around the back of the city. OK - the riding isn't as technically renowned as the North Downs, but for the simple kicks of being up on the Downs within a 15 minute ride from your front door, with a view of the sea, it's hard to beat.
And the North Downs aren't far if you want a dose of them.
The best local riding can be shown to you by the fabled Tuesday Night posse that meet up by Marrocco's cafe on Hove seafront. I've only ridden with them a few times. They're big on speed, low on gears and big on friendliness. But I couldn't keep up...
Road riding ain't bad either. Lovely villages just north of the Downs. Or get the ferry from Newhaven to Dieppe and ride in France for the day!
A few bike shops, from big chains (Evans, BikeHut), to smaller, helpful independents (Sydney Street, Rayment, Freedom) and few of those great quirky 'old man's' bike shops too.
What else?
The sea. You've got the sea. Pint? After work? On the beach? You got it. Swimming? Year round? With friendly eccentrics? Yup.
Like a nice pint? Or a good meal? You won't want for decent food and beer in Brighton.
Shops? You like shopping? Central Brighton has three adjacent shopping areas - one full of quirky hippy shops, one full of twee expensive shops and one full of your mainstream stuff. You'll be fine.
Internet? Like a bit of that? Brighton has more friendly geeks than you can shake a stick at, and a matching abundance of free wireless hotspots. Work on the beach, anyone?
Laid back attitude. People generally have a sound outlook in Brighton. Heard about how many gays live in Brighton? It's true. Part of the fact that there's an open-mindedness in Brighton which, though not 100% prevalent, is easy to see.
London? That big place with the noise and the smoke and the chaos? 45 minutes if you catch the right train.
Art? Theatre? Music? All that stuff, and the Brighton Festival - every May. Biggest arts festival in England. Lots of photographers who love a pint and a chat.
Nightclubs and music venues too.
Do you like getting hideously drunk and having fights with teenagers? This sort of nonsense is (kind of) isolated onto one street in central Brighton, so it's easy to avoid.
What's the down side?
Cars. If you like driving cars, and parking cars, then expect a stressy time. Parking is hard to come by, and traffic wardens are like RoboCop.
Property prices. Not cheap. A bit London-ish in places. Part of the fact everyone wants to be there.
Earnings. I don't know what business you're in, but average earnings in Brighton are not that high. Again, supply and demand - everyone wants to be there!
Summer crowds. On sunny July weekends, the whole of London comes to town and lies on the beach. I think it's god fun, but some don't like the crowds.
Seagulls. Millions of them. They'll eat your chips.
So, all in all, I'm a bit of a fan. Let me know if you'd like to know more.
What Clive said.
I still live in brighton and honestly wouldn't live anywhere esle in the uk. proximity to sea/south downs is ace.
I also love the people,
housing isgetting cheaper, though I still can't afford a flat, but that's life.
plenty of groups of riders - but give me a call if you fancy a spin.
Jimbo
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