On 21 Oct 2016 at 11:59pm Saskia Lichtenstern wrote:
I moved back to London a couple of months ago, after living in Cape Town for over 12 years. And in my short time back all I know is the quicker I can get out of London and never look back the better! My dream is to rent a lovely place in Lewes for myself and my two quiet, cute and very well behaved French Bulldogs. I'm currently going through a divorce and because of breast cancer have no children of my own. I'm sorry for divulging too much information, but I wanted to ask which other areas near to Lewes do you think I could look at? I'm single and won't know anyone there so I don't want to be in a spot that's isolated where I struggle to make friends. It's a brand new start, leaving cancer behind me and ready to start a new and very happy chapter. Any suggestions of where to look for a rental would be so greatly appreciated. Thanks so much. Xxx
On 22 Oct 2016 at 12:16am Local wrote:
Brighton?
On 22 Oct 2016 at 1:54am Dexter wrote:
Lewes is a lovely place, don't let the (few) cranks on this forum put you off. Like Brighton, there are issues with people moving into the area and it is rapidly a becoming dormitory town. It's a popular place for Londoner's to move to, that's because they are the only ones who can afford to move here.
It's a special place, but so is East Sussex (apart from one of the most expensive & worst county councils in England). Please don't help it become anything like Surrey. Really, it's important. It's the last nice place in the South of England.
If you don't rely on having to be in London, my advice is to move as far away from it as possible. I'm not suggesting that you don't move to Lewes but the county in general is fantastic and there are better (& cheaper) places to live. (though the less than useless county council will bleed you dry wherever you are). Good luck. Frankly, I wish I and my family where in Cape Town , such is life. Botswana is only a days drive away. X
On 22 Oct 2016 at 2:32am Dexter wrote:
Oh,... like Lewes, all the surrounding villages are lovely. Stay well & happy.
XX
On 22 Oct 2016 at 9:40am DFT wrote:
I moved here 15 years ago, partly because I couldn't afford to buy a house in my home town of Twickenham and liked this area from living in Seaford as a child, but also because Twickenham had become so gentrified it had lost its spirit. I was so glad to move to a town that felt like a real community, away from all those rich Londoners that had ruined Twickenham. How stupid I was. I didn't realise that I was simply part of a process that was doing the same thing to Lewes, using my equity to unwittingly push property prices up and price out locals. 15 years on, the town now feels like the London suburb that I wanted to get away from and if I go to a party, most of the people are from London. I can see why Lewesians are angry.
On 22 Oct 2016 at 2:48pm Fiona wrote:
Why don't you go to Rightmove to the rental section, type in Lewes and then add a radius of 3 miles. See what comes up. It will give you an idea of rental prices in and around Lewes. All the surrounding areas are easy to reach Lewes from if you don't end up in Lewes itself. But since you are now single, perhaps you could consider a flat rather than a house if it enables you to rent in Lewes itself? And as Dexter said, ALL the surrounding villages around Lewes are lovely. Please don't listen to any of the negative comments on here about the surrounding villages - they are written by trolls, not true Lewes folk, and the negative posts actually do the villages a favour because the lower their profile the lovelier they remain!!
On 22 Oct 2016 at 2:53pm Hipster traveller wrote:
Stay in London but become a hipster like me. Travel to towns on the south coast and make them trendy just by your presence.
On 22 Oct 2016 at 3:33pm Nudge nudge wrote:
All the smart money is going to Hastings luv,it's going places.
On 22 Oct 2016 at 5:41pm Angel wrote:
Isfield has a very active village social life. What sort of price are you thinking?
On 22 Oct 2016 at 9:13pm Saskia Lichtenstern wrote:
Thank you Fiona for being so nice...the previous comments were unwelcoming to say the least! I'll definitely do as you suggested. I won't consider a flat...rather move a little further out...a garden is essential.
Thanks for your advice too Dexter.
I spoke to my friends earlier and they suggested Preston Park...I know nothing about it.
On 22 Oct 2016 at 10:30pm Fiona wrote:
Preston Park is an area in Brighton. It's a nice area but is busy and is part of the hustle & bustle of a big town, so it depends what type of area you're looking for.
You say in your post that your dream is to rent a lovely place in Lewes, so you should do just that. Look at Lewes itself and also Lewes district which covers a large area full of lovely places to live just a few miles away from central Lewes.
People will (out of goodwill) suggest all sorts of random areas that are nice but you'll get overwhelmed by where to move to, so just stick to the area you know you really want to live in.
Good luck!
Look at the villages surrounding Lewes, there are lots to choose from, you'll find somewhere just right for you!
On 25 Oct 2016 at 7:11am Countrylover wrote:
Lewes is a lovely place to meet people - the surrounding countryside is beautiful and there is a lot going on. If budget won't allow central Lewes you could try Ringmer. lots of snobbishness about Ringmer, but it is a friendly place with lovely people and surrounded by brilliant country walks. Only a couple of miles from Lewes and there is a cycle way too. Couple of friendly pubs too. Perhaps you could visit to check out the area and see what appeals?
On 25 Oct 2016 at 11:38am Saskia wrote:
Thanks Fiona and Countrylover
I'm coming for the night to Lewes mid November to get a feel for areas...thanks so much for your tips and advice xxx
On 26 Oct 2016 at 9:14pm Peasant wrote:
If you were to choose Ringmer and then arrive with dogs you would quickly meet lots of other dog people. With either dogs or children getting into the village community is easy. Without either, you have to work at it harder. Ringmer isn't anything special to look at but it has a great community, a great setting and reasonably priced housing for the area, and nowhere in the village is more than a couple of minutes walk from the countryside.