Possibly moving to the old town

[Scott]

After years of living in SE London, I'm planning to make the move to Hastings. I'm viewing a couple of properties in the old town later this week (one and two bed converted apartments). I was there at the weekend and love the place during the daytime, but was wondering what it's like during the evening and are there any other disadvantages? Possibly the parking situation and influx of holidaymakers for large parts of the year? (I appreciate that they contribute to the local economy but would be interested to hear what it's like living alongside that).

Thanks in advance,

Scott

[flaming]

I too was thinking about the Old Town if I move to Hastings. I stayed b and b for a 3 nights last September. It was very quiet day and night but I realised it would be quite a bit more hectic in the "summer" (UK style!) but apart from a bit of a young crowd round the pubs late at the weekend it was very orderly after 11.30p.m. Obviously there will be some shouting and live music noises near establishments which cater for drinkers; live music might perhaps be heard more nights a week in June than in September, and there would be more late-night revellers, but you'd have to accept that anywhere. It is probably more quickly over with before midnight - and certainly nothing like the late din people put up with in any big city centre. I never thought I would leave London but it is now getting too expensive for me to cling on much longer.

Also a point to remember is that in towns anywhere cooking smells might become irksome if the aroma is always in your abode - and it would be when things get going in the summer.. One friend of mine moved to another seaside town centre during the winter months; come the summer a fish and chip shop opened up (probably seasonal) a few streets away. She realised that the smell of cooking would always waft in through her open windows in the summer.

I will have a couple of recce's in the season before I finally decide but I reckon that away from the front it would be quiet and safe. Good luck!

[another_me]

When we first wished to buy we stayed in a wonderful place for 3 nights recce.

How did the viewing go?

The Old Town looks a very tranquil place and is, but when the pubs let out the noise levels tend to rise, a lot. I will not mention specific streets but try to avoid areas close to pubs, obvious I know (unless you want the hustle and bustle of Sharon and tracel arguing over Kev and Trev).

Parking can be a nightmare but ok IF you follow the rules.

The tourists are a tolerable bunch, if you own one of the old houses be prepared to have eyes looking in your windows at all sorts of strange hours. Or friends grew tired of people straining to look in the windows and now leave the curtains open now so people can peek in.