Moving to Brighton: Area Guide
Brighton is a colourful and vibrant city, often referred to as ‘London-on-sea’ by those who set up home there.
Surrounded by beautiful scenery, eclectic shopping and endless things to see and do, it’s no wonder why Brighton has become the beating heart of the UK’s south coast.
Thanks to the buzzing metropolitan lifestyle on offer, the area attracts swathes of young professionals looking for an exciting city to live in, whilst avoiding soaring London property prices.
Thinking of moving to Brighton? Then read on for everything you need to know.
Where is Brighton?
Brighton is a city on the south coast of the UK. It’s in the county of Sussex, located around 50 miles from London. The postcode for the area is BN1.
A brief history of Brighton
For centuries, Brighton was just a tiny fishing village. It wasn’t until the arrival of Richard Russell and his project addressing the benefits of seawater that the population flooded to the area, looking for the rejuvenating health benefits of swimming in the sea.
In 1783, King George IV, then the Prince of Wales, made his first visit to Brighton. With his visits becoming more and more frequent, Brighton became more and more popular with the masses.
When the railway opened in 1841, connecting Brighton with London, the city began to grow rapidly in size and popularity.
An in-depth look at Brighton
Who lives there?
The age demographic is relatively young in Brighton.
The vibrant atmosphere makes it a perfect place for young professionals and those wishing to escape the London city smog.
Types of property in Brighton
Around the seafront, Brighton’s regency area offers a varied mix of grand squares and buildings. The majority of the houses have been divided into spacious flats and smaller terraced homes.
The remaining part of Brighton is dominated by Victorian terraced houses. However, in Tongdean and Withdean, there are also large detached 1920s houses on offer.
Brighton also has a number of new developments, including Factory Mews, Aquavista, Connaught Mews, Parq and Brighton Marina Village.
Transport links
Brighton is perfectly placed for getting around with ease.
It’s great for drivers, located at the end of the M23 and A23 from south London.
If you’re looking to catch a train into the capital, it’ll take around an hour on a Southern Rail train, with direct routes to Victoria and London Bridge.
The Thameslink to St Pancras is scheduled every 90 minutes, stopping at Blackfriars after just over an hour.
There’s also a full network of buses that serve the local area.
Restaurants and shops
Brighton is a brilliant location for foodies; with a wide array of cuisines on offer, you’re sure to be spoilt for choice.
Black Mocha
If you’re looking for an Instagrammable brunch location, Black Mocha is the place to go. With a varied menu including vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options, it’s hard not to fall in love with this cafe. Take your pick from sourdough toasts stacked high with halloumi, avocado and poached eggs, vegan sausage rolls and eggs however you want them.
Bagelman
Looking for lunch? Head over to Bagelman. Take your pick from a poppy seed, sesame, plain, onion, multi-seed or jalapeno bagels, and a whole host of creative toppings; the choices at Bagelman are sure to leave you feeling inspired. Vegan options are also available, including the classic Banana and Peanut Butter bagel.
Curry Leaf Café
Curry Leaf Cafe was named as one of Britain’s 12 best Indian restaurants by the BBC Good Food magazine. Expect all the classic Indian flavours at this spicy joint, from Lamb Rogan Josh to Mutter Mushroom Masala. Finish off with some Gulab Jamoons, aka sweet Indian dumplings, and ice cream.
The Lanes
Shopping in Brighton revolves around The Lanes. The Lanes offers pretty much everything you could need, from independent clothing boutiques to vintage and high-street fashion. You can easily spend a day browsing the shelves and taking in the vibe. It doesn’t get more Brighton than this.
Presuming Ed
If you’re looking for a venue to grab a drink, watch your favourite band perform and catch up with friends, Presuming Ed is the place to go. This quirky café-turned-bar is a great place to spend the afternoon, browsing local artworks while sipping on an artisanal coffee. There’s also a garden, ideal for lazy summer afternoons.
Socialising in Brighton
- Let loose to dance music classics at Patterns, an edgy nightclub dubbed ‘one of the coolest outdoor hangouts in the city’
- Take a walk along the beach for some fresh sea air
- Go back in time at the Royal Pavilion, King George IV’s seaside pleasure palace
- Enjoy fairground favourites at Brighton Palace Pier
- See a classical concert at Brighton Dome
Moving to Brighton
Brighton is the perfect place to relocate if you’re looking for a good dose of sea air and plenty to keep you occupied.
Wonderfully located, Brighton’s offerings include affordable housing, shopping hotspots and food that’s sure to blow your mind.
You certainly won’t be disappointed if you decide to make Brighton your home.
