Hastings Forum

Planning a big move to the coast ( from the Leeds area )- did a whistle stop tour from Whitstable right round to Bournemouth and guess what : Hastings was the place that stood out a mile.. it seems to have everything I like.
But, having done more post visit web searches.. some of the things I've read are kind of putting me off. I don't mind 'an edge' to a town.. in fact prefer it ( liked Bmouth but prob too posh and pricey for me). Eastbourne would probably be 'easier'.. but it didn't grab me like Hastings.It's work that bothers me.. does Hastings need another artist in education ? (I work with all ages and abilities ). I'm hard working , talented , frank and modest in equal measure .. realistic !

Hi

We moved to St Leonards about 10 months ago and really like it. As you say it certainly has a bit of 'an edge' but it also has many things going for it. We like the fact that it has a bit of an arty alternative vibe. Eastbourne seems a nice place but is full of old people as is Bexhill. The main problem is there's not much work around. I've been looking for about six months. Lots of people travel up to London for work but it's a long commute. So maybe you could look into the work possibilities before you move.

_ _ _.from one art educator to another_ _ _..
I am actually in the process of making a tentative move to Hastings after purchasing a house about one year ago which needed some work to be done. But I have absolutely no regrets, Hastings, inspite of what you may read, has everything and much much more. House prices are more affordable than many areas (and I'm moving from London where prices are stupidly unaffordable) and their is a wonderul diverse stoc of different properties too, from new to old. Everything is in walkign distance, hesea, the woods, the shops, the museum etc etc., and its a great base to explore the surrounding area.The town has an edge to it, and there is a good vibe of positivity slowly growing here. We had friends visit us, they fell in love with the place too, put their London house on the market, and they are moving down now! It's probably true that Hastings, like many coastal towns, has suffered it's fair share of neglect, but it's definetely turning a corner. Initially I spent a few long weekends at a B+B to check the town out, visited different places, looked at houses and got a vibe for the place. Hope that all helps.

The work situation is terrible,the town suffers badly from lack of investment.its something that has to be sorted out.



Enjoy life.you never know when it will end.

I moved to Hastings (from North London) in late August 2009 and it's the best move I ever made

I moved about 6 years ago.

I love the place.

Like you I looked at other places but Hastings was the place.

My only downside is not with the town itself it is with the surrounding infrastructure.
The train service to London, though reliable, takes upwards of 90 mins. The main road north the A21 may as well be a donkey cart track.

That said I break into a broad smile every evening when I see the sea as the train heads towards the coast, knowing thta I have left the smoke behind and can relax to another delightful evening by the coast.

Yes I have to say I can look out my window and see the sea, lovely.



Enjoy life.you never know when it will end.

[quoted]
roy wrote:
The work situation is terrible,the town suffers badly from lack of investment.its something that has to be sorted out.
[/quoted]

small towns around the S.E. Coast are all trying to create jobs with tourism being the main employer, apart from Insurance companies and retail work I don't know your best option to create jobs locally
Attract more multinationals looking to relocate?

What jobs would you like to see more of?

_ _ _..You'll get better light than in Leeds and it will be warmer which means you'll spend more time outside which is a good thing as you will have some of the finest countryside and coastline in the southeast on your doorstep.

_ _ _.also, HSL is better than nearby Bexhill which seems like an "underground cemetry"

In its favour Bexhill, for some reason, has less of the High Street 'chain' retailers and more independent shops
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