Hotspot

HOTspot Brighton

5REASONS WE LOVE… BRIGHTON

Famous for its vibrant and inclusive culture, Brighton is a quintessential seaside town – on steroids. Located on the Sussex Coast, just 50 miles south of London but with property prices considerably lower than the capital, attracting families, commuters, young professionals and students alike

UNDER THE SPOTLIGHT

1 The beach. Of course! 2 Shops you won’t nd anywhere else 3 Excellent transport links 4 Restaurants for every taste and budget 5 The South Downs on the doorstep

Brighton is one of the two main areas of the City of Brighton and Hove; the neighbouring towns were granted city status as part of the millennium celebrations in 2000. At the last census, the city was the largest in South East England with a population of around 290,000.

Brighton dates back to 3500BC, but its making was the arrival of the London and Brighton Railway in 1841. Many of its iconic attractions, including the Grand Hotel, the West Pier and the Palace Pier were built during the Victorian era and the town continued to expand until, by the 1970s, it had acquired a reputation as a retirement destination.

Compared to the national average, Brighton and Hove now has a large proportion of adults aged 20-44, with fewer children and older people. The city’s demographic is increasingly young professionals. Many commute, but there is ample opportunity for employment in Brighton too. It is regarded as one of the best places in the UK to start a business, with a new business survival rate of an impressive 87%. Known as the UK’s unof cial “gay capital”, Brighton also has a proud LGBTQ+ community, with the highest percentage of same-sex households in the UK; it’s estimated approximately 15% of the city identi es as lesbian, gay, or bisexual.

Home to the UK’s rst (and only) Green Party MP, Caroline Lucas, it is no surprise that residents are keen to keep their city clean. Driving into the city is discouraged, with most parking reserved for residents with permits, but it's easy to get around on foot, bike or bus. Frequent trains operate from Brighton railway station to London Victoria, London Bridge and St Pancras International, taking just over an hour.

The Preston Park area is particularly popular with commuters. Just one mile from the city centre, and with its own station, it is home to the largest park (and festival venue) in Brighton. Kemp Town is also appealing to young professionals, and is right on the beach.

Families lean towards Hove Park. The park itself boasts tennis courts, a miniature railway, bowling green, cafe and the impressive Goldstone, a 20-ton rock. Just 10 minutes from the city centre, you will nd some of the best primary schools, and highest prices in the city, here. Hanover, still less than a mile from Brighton station, is more affordable. There are some excellent primary schools and it has a strong community feel. Further out of the city, but still only a few minutes’ drive from Preston Park station, up-and-coming Withdean is another area that's well worth considering.

Goldstone, a 20-ton rock. Just 10 minutes from the city centre, you will nd some of the best primary schools, and highest prices in the city, here. Hanover, still less than a mile from Brighton station, is more excellent primary schools and

OUT AND ABOUT

The main attraction in Brighton is, of course, the beach, and there is 13km of coastline the beach, and there is 13km of coastline to discover. Locals tend to head to the to discover. Locals tend to head to the quieter beaches, especially in the summer quieter beaches, especially in the summer when the area around the Palace Pier – when the area around the Palace Pier – complete with funfair, arcade halls and complete with funfair, arcade halls and delectable doughnuts – can get incredibly delectable doughnuts – can get incredibly busy with tourists. Explore Hove, Saltdean busy with tourists. Explore Hove, Saltdean and Rottingdean and pick your favourite. If and Rottingdean and pick your favourite. If you’re keen on adventure, walk the South you’re keen on adventure, walk the South Downs Way, taking in the white cliffs at Downs Way, taking in the white cliffs at Seven Sisters, or visit Devil’s Dyke. The Seven Sisters, or visit Devil’s Dyke. The southern coast of England has a mild and southern coast of England has a mild and sunny microclimate compared to the rest of sunny microclimate compared to the rest of Great Britain and, with an average of 1900 Great Britain and, with an average of 1900 hours of sunshine a year, there should be hours of sunshine a year, there should be plenty of opportunity to enjoy it! plenty of opportunity to enjoy it!

Brighton is famed for its shopping. The North Laine area boasts over 400 The North Laine area boasts over 400 shops while, further south, The Lanes are shops while, further south, The Lanes are characterised by a maze of narrow alleyways characterised by a maze of narrow alleyways consisting mainly of independent clothing consisting mainly of independent clothing stores, jewellers, antique shops, restaurants stores, jewellers, antique shops, restaurants and pubs. Brighton’s and pubs. Brighton’s celebrated inclusivity celebrated inclusivity is reflected in the is reflected in the number of shops number of shops catering for catering for the LGBTQ+ the LGBTQ+ community, community, notably notably The The Queery, Queery, home to home to a radical a radical and queer and queer bookstore, bookstore,

Average property price in Brighton and Hove (February 2022) – £419,915 Property breakdown*

Detached – £818,929

Semi-detached – £524,984

Terraced – £466,260

Flat – £327,641

*According to the Land Registry House Price Index

HOMES ON THE MARKET...

FROM £98,875*(SHARED OWNERSHIP) OWNERSHIP) FROM £244,000 (PRIVATE SALE)

FAMOUS RESIDENTS

• DJ Norman Cook • Actor and comedian Steve Coogan • Former Boxer Chris Eubank • YouTube stars Al e Deyes and Zoella • Actor David Walliams

and The Brighton Birdcage, described as "the one stop shop for drag queens, crossdressers and trans", and home of the best sparkly dresses and fans money can buy. There are also hugely popular weekly flea markets. Churchill Square also has over 80 shops and 1,600 parking spaces.

Central Brighton is awash with eateries. Some of the best include KOJI (Korean), Isaac (for a tasting menu), Riddle & Fins (seafood), Red Rooster (Thai barbecues), and Kuskai (plant-based Japanese). Handily for vegans, Brighton has one of the highest densities of plant-based restaurants in the country. For a twist, the Harbour Hotel offers afternoon tea with seaside treats of mini doughnuts, candy floss and fish and chips.

Brighton has an impressive cocktail scene in addition to its well-established live music scene. Bar Broadway is a great night out, with live performances of songs from all your favourite musicals. Brightonians also love a Sunday roast. The Camelford Arms’ roast comes recommended, but probably best to try them all out!

There really is plenty to see and do in the city, whatever your mood. The Royal Pavilion is open to the public and there are plenty of museums, galleries, theatres and cinemas to visit too. For a touch of calm, take a stroll in the Pavilion Gardens, or a trip to Stanmer Village, an 18th-century working village, with Stanmer House as its focal point. For something a little livelier, Brighton hosts many festivals including the Brighton Festival and Brighton Fringe annually, in addition to the world-famous Brighton Pride, which attracts a staggering 450,000 visitors to the city over the August weekend.

BRIGHTON

Home X

Creating a brand new community in Brighton, Home X is an exciting new development from Optivo, offering studio, one, two and three bedroom apartments and triplexes available through private sale, with Help to Buy available, and shared ownership. Part of a regeneration project of Preston Barracks in partnership with Brighton & Hove City Council, U&I and the University of Brighton, it will create over 1,500 jobs and inject more than £280m into the local economy over the next 10 years.

The apartments are spacious and are lled with natural light from the large windows (those on the higher oors have incredible views too). The contemporary kitchens feature eye-catching units in indigo blue with matt black sink and taps and come with integrated appliances including an oven, induction hob, extractor hood, fridge-freezer, dishwasher and a washer-dryer in the utility cupboard. Bedrooms are roomy and feature a built-in wardrobe to the main bedroom, and en suites and bathrooms are tiled. The three bedroom triplexes, which are ideal for a young family and are cleverly designed on three levels, also feature large terraces and balconies.

These apartments come with some great added extras too. There is a cycle store located in the underground parking area in each block and some great travel bene ts. Each Home X resident will get access to a two-year car club membership and 10% off the cost of a new bike at Baker St Bikes in Brighton, and in addition, a choice of either a year's bus pass, a 12-month BTN bikeshare membership or a £150 voucher to go towards a new bike.

Home X is perfectly located to connect to Brighton and beyond. There is a plethora of buses on the doorstep running 24 hours a day, taking you to Brighton station from where you can get to London Bridge in an hour and 23 minutes. Moulsecombe station is an eight-minute walk away and you will nd an Aldi and a Sainsbury’s very close to the development. This area of Sussex is surrounded by the South Downs and some stunning countryside. Just a 12-minute walk from Home X you can enjoy the natural beauty of the Wild Park Local Nature Reserve.

Prices at Home X start from £244,000 (private sale, with Help to Buy available) and £98,875 for a 35% share with a full market value of £287,500 (shared ownership).

home-X.co.uk