[NSC] Life Choices- Moving From Brighton

LamieRobertson said:

You given up on Tuscany

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No, but I’m a ways off retirement and I’m finding it increasingly expensive to have a decent quality of life as single bloke in Sussex.

I'd be very careful about renting / buying a mobile home. There are some absolute sharks owning those sites. You only have to read Private Eye's stories about Alfie Best to realise that. I know someone who lived in one in Lancing ( not a Wyldcrest site) and my aunt and uncle lived in one over in Bosham and it was a nightmare.

I've visited my daughter at University in Sheffield and it's a great city - very green, loads of good pubs with cheap beer and a National Park within its boundaries. If it had a coastline I'd be there.

The Clamp said:

Move to Norfolk. It’s like the North without the Northerners.

I’m considering it.

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I mean, is it? I spent a lot of time in King's Lynn a few years ago and as far as I could tell living in Norfolk basically seemed to consist of driving across incredibly flat, boring and pointless countryside while stuck behind a tractor pulling a trailer full of what smelt like the devil's own armpit scrappings.

Sid and the Sharknados said:

I mean, is it? I spent a lot of time in King's Lynn a few years ago and as far as I could tell living in Norfolk basically seemed to consist of driving across incredibly flat, boring and pointless countryside while stuck behind a tractor pulling a trailer full of what smelt like the devil's own armpit scrappings.

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Kings Lynn is a depressing grief-hole.

I love Norwich but I could never live that far East. Too flat and not good walking country.

Nice people though.

Eeyore said:

I’ve lived in Brighton since I was two years old, apart from a nine month period in Australia and a couple of countryside excursions. In fact, literally in the same triangle area. It’s all I’ve really known.

For many years I have been renting. Never taking a mortgage which I really regret now although perhaps being divorced it may have been for the best. But I’m reaching a cross roads and would be interested in what other folk would do in this situation.

I work from home in a job that pays enough to keep me going and put small amounts away. Although I’m not convinced the job will last more than two or three years. I can afford to rent my flat, in a prime area, because the landlord charges me well below the going rate. It’s in his interests to do so as well because in a couple of years he will be selling. But, for this reason, I need to pre-empt the problem.

If he sells I cannot remain in Brighton in any decent standard of accommodation at this rent. No chance. And I don’t really want to live anywhere other than this particular area. I know the issue is looming and I need to put serious thought to it.

A mortgage is a bad idea for a number of reasons. I’m in my 50s and cannot claim benefits if I did come out of work as I would be above the threshold. I would have to pay my own way. I have always had a love affair with the North and could afford to buy a small flat outright in a number of reasonable areas. In Scotland, the same. But not in Sussex, it’s just too expensive. But it’s a huge change. I know that at some stage I will have to leave behind everything I have known anyway because once he sells that the end of my time here.

I don’t have trouble getting to know folk. I know a few in Yorkshire and across the central belt in Scotland. I am still friends with an ex in Glasgow (no going back !) and, as it stands, I could take the job with me. But it’s a massive move.

I have thought about retirement flats. I have a great relationship with older folk. But they are cheap for a reason and other costs can spiral as there is no control.

I’d just be interested to know what folk in my situation would do. So many considerations. All is well now, but any choice I need to get right.

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Sorry for the long read @Eyeore but I did exactly as you are contemplating.

It is a mammoth decision which I thought about for years before actually doing it.

I sold up and moved out of Brighton & Hove in 2016 having grown up there from the age of 6/7 - so leaving a place I had lived for over 45 years - I was anticipating not being well enough in the next few years to carry on working full time once I had had a diagnosis a few years previously for a progressive neurological condition. I didn’t want to claim benefits though either, and like you was over the threshold because of savings - I was still capable of working so I just needed to reduce my overheads to survive - ie pay off my mortgage (which I had already reduced over the years), downsize (or in my case, downvalue) and live in a cheaper area.

Already in my mid 50s, that was a real life changing decision especially as a/ I didn’t drive b/ I had to move far enough away from the SE and all my friends and family before I could afford to cash buy the sort house I wanted in an area that was also pleasant to live in.

It was tough I don’t mind telling you - I felt very isolated for several years as I had absolutely nothing in common with the people living in my new area, had to start a new job, and make new friends from scratch which for someone with autism and growing mobility issues was tough. Two years of pandemic and lockdowns within a few years of moving didn’t help. I have been here now over 6 years and only just beginning to ‘let go’ of cosmopolitan Brighton and start feeling rural Norfolk is my home. Having to travel most of day on public transport to get to the Amex and having to make them overnight trips for evening matches has been one of the toughest things to deal with.

However, the peace of mind that comes with owning your own home, with no mortgage can’t be overstated. For the first time in my life too, I no longer lived in a flat with the noise above and below which for me being noise sensitive is brilliant - but also have a lovely flint cottage with a gorgeous decent sized garden in a very quiet, semi-rural area with excellent public transport links to the rest of the UK. I also have a job I love which I never would have had in an urban environment like Brighton.

The biggest issue for people of our age is that moving from the SE/Brighton to a cheaper area is likely to be a one way journey - I very quickly was priced out of the market once I moved - it will be nigh on impossible for me to return unless it’s into a tiny supported housing flat for the elderly (which I’d hate!)

I sold a large period flat in Hove and cash bought a 2 bed house with a 150ft garden and still released nearly 50% capital from the proceeds of sale which I put in fixed bonds and ISAs - that gave me enough to live off the monthly interest, pay national insurance stamps until I retire and reduce my working hours to part time without having to claim means tested benefits.

It’s had its difficulties but even in your late 50s it is possible to completely start a new life in another part of the Country on your own. You just have to be brave and make the move before you are physically too elderly/infirm to cope.

I looked at property in Scotland and Cumbria because property was so cheap but ruled out completely rural areas with little infrastructure and cold weather in the end - you have to be pragmatic and think ahead as you get older of the infrastructure you will need (access to public transport/NHS healthcare etc) especially if there is a possibility that you will need to stop driving at some point - Norfolk, where in some areas it is still possible to buy a 2 bed house for £175,000 or flat for £100,000 and where the weather is drier than the rest of the UK fit the bill perfectly. An hour and half out of London, fantastic wildlife and countryside, some great villages and near some of the best beaches in the UK if you need to live near the sea still.

Feel free to PM me if you want any more specific info or recommendations for the area.

My perspective is pretty useless to the OP I suspect. My choices have been haphazard and have worked out due to luck and dogged resilience.

But if you are looking to move not so far from Brighton as to feel like you have emigrated, North Kent remains a little gem of an area, with relatively low house prices, a pleasant 90 minute drive to the Amex, trains to London and the best weather* in the UK.

Faversham is the best bet. The locals are tolerable. The sink estates are easily identifiable and avoidable. We never appear on "I'm a celebrity bake off copper drug dealer get me out of being caught on camera, here" here.

A 2-3 bed house on my street went for £275K a few weeks ago. £300K will het you something small but nice. Gardens in the old houses are large.

And you would have me as a near neighbour. What's not to love?

*I am literally sitting on my patio in my shorts as I type. I do hope the missus lets me back in doors soon, as I'm fast losing feeling in my legs, but mustn't grumble. Not sure what I said, but

Come to Australia (you might accidentally get killed)

Eeyore said:

I’ve lived in Brighton since I was two years old, apart from a nine month period in Australia and a couple of countryside excursions. In fact, literally in the same triangle area. It’s all I’ve really known.

For many years I have been renting. Never taking a mortgage which I really regret now although perhaps being divorced it may have been for the best. But I’m reaching a cross roads and would be interested in what other folk would do in this situation.

I work from home in a job that pays enough to keep me going and put small amounts away. Although I’m not convinced the job will last more than two or three years. I can afford to rent my flat, in a prime area, because the landlord charges me well below the going rate. It’s in his interests to do so as well because in a couple of years he will be selling. But, for this reason, I need to pre-empt the problem.

If he sells I cannot remain in Brighton in any decent standard of accommodation at this rent. No chance. And I don’t really want to live anywhere other than this particular area. I know the issue is looming and I need to put serious thought to it.

A mortgage is a bad idea for a number of reasons. I’m in my 50s and cannot claim benefits if I did come out of work as I would be above the threshold. I would have to pay my own way. I have always had a love affair with the North and could afford to buy a small flat outright in a number of reasonable areas. In Scotland, the same. But not in Sussex, it’s just too expensive. But it’s a huge change. I know that at some stage I will have to leave behind everything I have known anyway because once he sells that the end of my time here.

I don’t have trouble getting to know folk. I know a few in Yorkshire and across the central belt in Scotland. I am still friends with an ex in Glasgow (no going back !) and, as it stands, I could take the job with me. But it’s a massive move.

I have thought about retirement flats. I have a great relationship with older folk. But they are cheap for a reason and other costs can spiral as there is no control.

I’d just be interested to know what folk in my situation would do. So many considerations. All is well now, but any choice I need to get right.

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Well i guess im a similar age to you (55) i’ve thought about what id do in your situation and my genuine reply is to buy a smart Motor Home and continuously tour , you choose where you live, what motor home sites etc and you get to move on if you don’t like the neighbours, a freind of a friend does this and stays on 8 different parks a year moving on when bored, good luck

I had a couple of breaks in Devon and Norfolk this year and enjoyed the laid back tranquility compared to the over populated South East .
You can find 2 bed terraced houses or even quality mobile home which would set you back a mortgage of around 500-800 a month. Torquay and Great Yarmouth are not Brighton but living by the sea is always a plus for me. Great walks and plenty of pubs and beautiful beaches to enjoy.

Weststander said:

Scotland … unless you’re a high earner, you won’t be hit by greater taxes. But would you miss the sunshine here? I know someone who moved back to Scotland and they said that was the one downer.

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Also be prepared for some "hostility" from the locals, sad but true. My auntie and uncle (he took me to my first Albion game) retired and moved to near Bonnybridge and a small holding with a cow, chickens and a few other animals and the locals never accepted them, they were quite unassuming people, but had graffiti daubed on a wall "go home English" and several other unpleasant things. They sold up in the end and moved to Lincolnshire, where sadly my uncle passed away two years ago.

Think twice about Scotland, it is also very cold.

I would suggest moving up here but it is horrible and full of northerners apparently.

It sounds like NSC should lead a bid for some levelling up funding to build affordable homes (and a couple of ploughmans-par-excellence pubs) for Albion supporters within the Amex hinterland.

albionalba said:

It sounds like NSC should lead a bid for some levelling up funding to build affordable homes (and a couple of ploughmans-par-excellence pubs) for Albion supporters within the Amex hinterland.

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This thread does highlight the desperate need for a change in the way the UK approaches housing. Not just government policy but also how we all view and approach home ownership and renting.

Insel affe said:

Also be prepared for some "hostility" from the locals, sad but true. My auntie and uncle (he took me to my first Albion game) retired and moved to near Bonnybridge and a small holding with a cow, chickens and a few other animals and the locals never accepted them, they were quite unassuming people, but had graffiti daubed on a wall "go home English" and several other unpleasant things. They sold up in the end and moved to Lincolnshire, where sadly my uncle passed away two years ago.

Think twice about Scotland, it is also very cold.

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Daughter lives near Edinburgh….she went to Uni there over 10 years ago and has never considered coming back. Salary is the same as she’d get in Brighton or London, but she’s got a nice house for less than half what it would cost in Burgess Hill, let alone Brighton 30 mins from the centre of Edinburgh. Never had an issue with the ‘locals’ including when she lived in more rural Galashiels for 7 years.

She’s dyed her hair ginger and says ‘wee’ instead of ’small‘ though, so maybe that’s the secret

A couple we know well from East Sussex are looking down here in Dorset. Small towns, good facilities, beaches, less cold than Scotchland, friendly folk, great roads and rail links. House prices very good compared to SE. Downside is the long drive to The Amex or a slightly torturous train journey.

Feels like being in Sussex 30 years ago.

Might be worth a look.

The Clamp said:

Move to Norfolk. It’s like the North without the Northerners.

I’m considering it.

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Moved up here 9 1/2 years ago. Love it as a place to live. Would not want to live anywhere else

Sid and the Sharknados said:

I mean, is it? I spent a lot of time in King's Lynn a few years ago and as far as I could tell living in Norfolk basically seemed to consist of driving across incredibly flat, boring and pointless countryside while stuck behind a tractor pulling a trailer full of what smelt like the devil's own armpit scrappings.

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Kings Lynn is on the edge of that horrible flat area of Lincolnshire. Keep going and you will find some beautiful areas. Wonderful beaches, cracking pubs. Just stay away from places like Burnham Market which are full of 2nd home City wankers.

Herr Tubthumper said:

This thread does highlight the desperate need for a change in the way the UK approaches housing. Not just government policy but also how we all view and approach home ownership and renting.

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I disagree somewhat.

For me, not wanting to rent is nothing to do with “culture” or thinking that ‘owning property’ has more ‘status’ than renting. There are good sound reasons why owning property is better than renting even if the renting sector could be reformed and tenancy agreements made more like leases rather than the periodic lets they are.

• Renting property gives less long term housing financial security than if you owned a property (especially outright) as the OP‘s situation illustrates
• Any decorative improvements you make are benefiting the landlord.
• You are lining someone else’s pockets who is earning appreciation on their property at your expense.
• You get no return on years of investment at the end of the occupancy.
• Property is still a good investment and something you can pass on to your descendants)
• If you need to move away temporarily, you can always let the property out so you have something to come back to
• Downsizing as you get older and reducing your overheads in life also makes good economic sense - paying off your mortgage before you retire gives you additional long term financial security.

albionalba said:

It sounds like NSC should lead a bid for some levelling up funding to build affordable homes (and a couple of ploughmans-par-excellence pubs) for Albion supporters within the Amex hinterland.

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I would be happy for BHA to build a few accommodation blocks in walking distance to the Amex so loyal members who have moved out of Brighton can have a cheap overnight stay after an evening match

We’ve been considering a relocation for our retirement. The towns that we are attracted to include Dorchester, Lichfield, Settle and Pitlochry.