What is it like to live there?

[Alexfan]

Hi, we are considering moving down to the area next year when I retireand have heard conflicting reports about Hastings and St L, drugs etc.
I would welcome honest appraisals from local residents please

[Marina]

Hi Alexfan

There are hundreds of posts on here from locals giving opinions on the area. Have a look through the other threads or ask a more specific question (mention the road or area you are interested in and ask about something in particular). You're sure to get a better response.

Hope this helps

Marina

[st_leonards_duffer]

I think you have to pick your areas and ask yourself why you are moving here but I've just completed my fourth year here and have no regrets.

There are drug addicts and a few thirsty gentlemen who congregate daily on the sea front as well as the most astonishing amount of dog shit, but the pros far outweight the cons for me. One thing I would say is that you have to "live the life" down here. The main advantages are the social scene, cultural events, pubs and restaurants. If you're not into that then you may not see the benefits of being down here.

[Sharon]

'the most astonishing amount of dog shit' OMG this made me laugh :w00t: I am just nearing my second year of moving to the area and dog shit is my main gripe!! I have never seen so much on pavements_ _ _..from my house to the school we can sometimes pass three in the alleyway, four in our road and usually one more pile near the school!! Just lately though I have noticed there is a huge drop in piles!! Maybe the staffy owners decided to finally clean up after their status symbols and give us all a break from it over Christmas! (I doubt it though).

I love living here in St Leonards and can see the regeneration slowly taking effect on the area. I know there are drugs here but I have never come across them myself. Although my 14year old son says they are out there_ _ _.they are probably also in the nice area I moved from too in Hampshire :whistle:

[Marina]

I think the dog poo problem depends on the area. There's not much round west St Leonards but central St Leonards you have to watch your step sometimes, particularly in the most deprived areas. I think the worst place has to be the Alleyway between Hoads Wood Road and Linley Drive in Hastings_ _ _ YUK!

There are drugs out there but you're unlikely to come accross them unless you mix in those circles. The problem is pretty much the same in any other UK town.

[Lily]

Agree with Marina. Dog poo, drugs, and all other negatives are going to turn up in any town anywhere. Overall, Hastings is a wonderful place to live, and I plan to be here for the rest of my life.

I'm curious about the alleyway you mentioned, Marina. Do you mean the little path that runs alongside the ravine, or is there one I haven't noticed? I live in that neighbourhood (and my dog does his business in our own, enclosed back garden, in case you're wondering).

[Sharon]

I'm curious, where exactly is central St Leonards? Is it the town/Warrior Sq station area?

[Terry]

Of course there is drug use in St Leonards, it would be remarkable if there wasn't: it happens everywhere, but drug users are human beings just like the rest of us. Some of them are nasty and some of them are nice.

As for dog mess, I don't live in the area, so I shouldn't really comment, but I doubt if it's piled too high. People tend to exaggerate problems in the hope that something will be done. Dog mess may be unpleasent, but at least it degrades naturally, the same cannot be said for take away packaging and some of the other rubbish that gets dumped on our streets.

[Sharon]

RE: the dog mess.

When we walked the school run in the snow on Wednesday there was no dogs mess anywhere. I noticed it as I am used to dodging it!! Today, the snow has almost thawed and would you believe it is like the dogs are making up for the mess they didn't make during the cold snap!! It really does make me so mad. I don't know if anyone is familiar with the pathway between Coventry Road and Rymill Road, but this is an absolute nightmare to walk down due to the dog mess. There must have been five piles AT LEAST in that short stretch of public pathway..grrrr

[julie_gisby]

i do sooo agree i have never ever seen so much dogs poo in my life!!!!!!! please all dog lovers please use your plastic bags and remove the deposits !!! as i have stepped in so much of it being partially sighted _ _ __ _ __ _ __ _ _ walking into objects is enough to contend with yet alone dogs mess_ _ __ _ __ _ _..as well
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