Shaking off its reputation as God’s waiting room, Eastbourne is fast becoming one of the most attractive places to live on the Sussex coast. Described by Georgia in Angus, Thongs and Full-Frontal Snogging as a place people go to die, the truth is that half the town’s population are under the age of 45, attracted by the affordable housing, quality of life and relaxed family friendly vibe.

COMMUNICATIONS

There are railway stations at both Eastbourne and Hampden Park, with half-hourly trains to London Victoria, Ore and Brighton and an hourly service to Ashford International. Travel times are around 90 minutes to London and 30 minutes to Brighton.

Stagecoach run buses to all parts of the town, as well as out to Hailsham, Lewes, Battle and Bexhill. There is also a seafront service to and from Beachy Head.

AFFORDABLE HOUSE PRICES

The average price of a property in Eastbourne was £252,404 in 2016, in Brighton it was £386,531, making Eastbourne a much more affordable option for those looking for a home by the sea. That said, prices have risen by 17% since 2014 when the average property price in the town was £215,666. So, if you’re looking at buying a home or investing in buy-to-let property, now is a great time to move to Eastbourne.

With a wide range of architectural styles, Eastbourne offers a selection of property to suit all tastes and budgets. To the west of the town in Meads, Summerdown and Saffrons, you’ll find large detached and semi-detached Victorian and Edwardian villas. These properties line smart, leafy roads, offering both space and great value for money. Willingdon to the north is another residential area with similar style properties, as well as more modern executive homes.

If you’re looking for more of a village feel, try Upperton, Old Town or Little Chelsea, while Ratton offers more modest Victorian terraces and semis. For surburban living, both Hampden Park and St Anthony's have a great stock of traditional 1930s and 1950s housing. Finally, if you’re after a contemporary penthouse, look no further than the marina development, Sovereign Harbour.

Generally, the housing stock in Eastbourne is in reasonable condition, but owing to the large number of Victorian homes it is wise to have a comprehensive survey. Speak to a reputable firm of Chartered Surveyors in Eastbourne to help you make an informed choice when buying a property.

SCHOOLS

There’s a great range of both private and state schools in the area. According to Ofsted, Roselands Infants School is ‘outstanding,’ with many other primaries such as West Rise, St John’s Meads and St Thomas a Becket Catholic all rated ‘good.’

In terms of secondary schools, Willingdon Community School, Ratton School, and the Causeway School are just a few of those rated ‘good.’ Independent schools to choose from include Eastbourne College, Moira House Girls’ School and Bede’s Prep School.

QUALITY OF LIFE

Eastbourne offers a wide range of cultural and entertainment opportunities, but is quieter with a more relaxed vibe than its neighbours Brighton and Hastings, making it super family friendly.

There’s over 4 miles of prom to walk and beach to play on, a lovely pier to explore and a beautiful bandstand with a full programme of concerts and events. Both Beachy Head and Birling Gap also offer fantastic scenery for rambling and picnicking.

For art lovers, the Towner Art Gallery offers the chance to see contemporary touring exhibitions, or you can browse the small independent galleries in the Victorian streets of Little Chelsea. The town also boasts 5 theatres, you can watch Shakespeare in the Italian Garden, while Charleston, the country home of the Bloomsbury Group, is on the doorstep.

If you enjoy sports you’re spoilt for choice with the new Spray Water Sports Centre, offering activities such as windsurfing, sailing, paddle boarding and power boating. There are also a large number of gyms, fitness centres and swimming pools. If you’d rather be a spectator, don’t forget that Eastbourne hosts the annual pre-Wimbledon WTA Tennis Tournament at Devonshire Park.

Finally, there’s a vast variety of pubs and restaurants to explore, so whether you’ll looking for a traditional ice cream parlour, Victorian tea rooms or a bustling bistro, there’s something for every appetite.