Thinking of moving to Brighton from London
Sorry this is going to be a long read!
Both my husband and I have lived in London since childhood. We are in our early 30s, have a 2 yr old daughter and currently private renting a 1-bedroom flat in south east London. We got lucky with where we are currently as the rent is cheap-ish for the area, has good travel connections, and it’s a safe neighbourhood.
I’m currently at a stay at home mum after recently finishing an apprenticeship in horticulture. I decided to take a break from working due to experiencing severe burn-out from being the primary parent, studying and working full time and other stressful personal life stuff. I’m exactly not sure what I want to do next so I feel as though I am more flexible than my husband. He has recently left his 9-5 job to do freelance photography/videography full-time, and wants to pick up a part time job that allows a flexible working arrangement.
I have family in Ramsgate and Brighton, so I’m considering these two areas to move to. I feel quite overwhelmed with making sure it’s suitable for us as a young family, good job options for my husband and I, good schools, etc.
My partner hasn’t been keen on the idea of leaving London, I’m very much an introverted person and hate the busyness of London. But he finds much comfort in being here and all if not most of his friends, family and hobbies are based here. He is also autistic so doesn’t handle sudden change very well and he doesn’t think he’d be able to adapt to a whole new town.
He wants our family to be better off financially and wants the best for me and our daughter but I just can’t see how that would work in London, especially with the rent prices as they are. We can’t afford to rent a 2 bedroom flat here!
I think we should move sooner rather than later, especially before our daughter gets to school age. We have been co-sleeping since her birth and I know it’s important that she starts to gain more independence soon, like having her own bed and bedroom. Currently not practically possible for her to have her own floor bed here as our room is too small unfortunately.
I don’t want to stay in our current home just because it’s comfortable and somewhat affordable, when we could possibly provide a much better life for our daughter and ourselves elsewhere.
Any advice is much appreciated. Thank you!
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I live in Brighton so happy to talk about the specifics of being here more privately xx
I’m about to do the same thing, also from south east london! Definitely worried about leaving friends and family but it’s really not so far from London and life looks different with children anyway! Sometimes we’ve got to take risks I think!
Hello, I'm a born and bred Londoner who moved to Brighton in the summer. I've also spent this term working as a supply teacher in quite a few schools in Brighton, Hove and surrounding areas so I'm happy to answer any questions you have if you want to message me privately! X
I moved to Haywards Heath from London. I would say my other half is like you. He’s more introverted and quiet whereas I am a social butterfly who enjoys to hustle and bustle of London.
My OH wanted to move closer to the coast but for practical reasons we couldn’t go the whole way down to Brighton (we both still have to commute into London). Whilst I miss being in London it’s not that hard to get up to town as the trains (when they are running well) are frequent and relatively quick, so I do still organise to meet friends in town.
I do feel this is a much nicer place for my children though. The place we now live in is far bigger than we could have afforded in London.
I would say you need to try and convince your partner just to give it a go. Maybe do some day trips down to get used to the areas and then agree to rent for a year. If he really hates it then you might have to agree to move back towards London. Better to do it now though before your daughter starts school x
Londoner who moved to Brighton here! It's a great place to be a kid, to live as a family, and tonnes of mum friends to make.
I wouldn't go back to London now if you paid me, and I was born and bred there. I barely want to visit it anymore!
you’re so right! It really isn’t that far from London. Definitely worth the risk, I don’t think there will be much choice soon anyway!
I grew up in south east London and moved to Brighton in 2018, I’m really glad that I made the move, although I do miss being so close to family. I’m mid 30’s and have a four month old boy. Happy to chat or answer any questions x
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