Have you ever asked yourself: is Brighton a good place to live? Brighton and Hove have swiftly become two of the most sought-after and fashionable places to live in the United Kingdom, and anyone who is lucky enough to live in these charming seaside destinations will be the first to tell you why.
Only a short train ride from the nation’s capital and boasting one of the most popular beaches in the UK, Brighton, and Hove have become cultural epicenters for eccentric and forward-thinking communities, and the towns’ lasting delights continue to draw people from far and wide to reside in the cosy and much-talked-about ‘Brighton bubble’.
So, if you’re considering a move to the seaside then look no further than this definitive list of the best places to live in Brighton and Hove.
Seven Dials
Seven Dials has been one of the most sought-after places to live in Brighton for a number of years and it’s easy to see why. The architecture in Seven Dials is magnificent and a short walk around Montpelier Crescent is likely to make your jaw drop. There is an intoxicating vibrancy to living in Seven Dials and a fantastic community feel about the place. You will quickly find yourself becoming a familiar face when living here and the chances of bumping into a neighbour beside the famous seven dials roundabout for which the area gets its name is highly likely. Out of the many delights Seven Dials has to offer, The Good Companions Pub and The Hellenic Bakery will draw you back time and time again. As for schools, the famous BHASVIC sixth-form college is based in the area, as is Brighton Girls Independent.
Queen’s Park
You won’t need a gym membership for long if you’re planning on moving to the Queen’s Park area. This charming residential area is situated atop a very steep hill, but every time you reach the summit you will be more than rewarded for your endeavors. Queen’s Park is a quiet and atmospheric place to live with some great pubs and cafés to wile away those sleepy Sunday afternoons in. The park itself is also one of Brighton’s most beautiful and scenic outdoor spaces and even has a multitude of swans gracing its lake. Queen’s Park is a short walk from Kemptown and the city centre, so despite its altitude, it’s a very handy location to be based in.
The North Laine
The North Laine is best known for being Brighton’s trendiest shopping district, but it is also a delightful (if expensive) place to live. The area is known for being a hub of activity, especially on weekends, so if you are looking for a quiet place to live then maybe the North Laine isn’t particularly well suited to your needs. However, if you’re the kind of person who enjoys a busy community atmosphere with plenty of cafés, bars, and shops on your doorstep, then the North Laine will most certainly not disappoint. It is also one of the most central and accessible places to live in Brighton, as well as being only a ten-minute walk from the seafront. What’s there not to love about that?
Hove Park
Hove Park and its surrounding residential area are one of the most peaceful places to live in all of Brighton and Hove. Hove is fast becoming one of Britain’s premier destinations for ‘DFL”s or “Down from Londoners”. While this may spark a degree of resentment in those who have grown up in the area, it’s not hard to see why those who want an escape from the hustle and bustle of city life would choose to move here. On a quiet Saturday morning, Hove Park hosts one of Brighton’s most popular Park Runs and the park is a perfect place to relax and enjoy a picnic with family and friends on a summer’s afternoon.
Five Ways
Our ancestors sure were imaginative when it came to naming areas in Brighton, and Five Ways is no different. Five Ways, simply put, is the area where five of Brighton’s most accessible roads culminate, and, as is customary in Brighton, it is situated at the top of a very large hill. The name may be unimaginative, but the area certainly is not. Five Ways is a beautiful area to live with a plethora of pubs, parks, deli’s and schools in its vicinity. It is also the location of possibly Brighton’s best pizzeria, Rustico Italiano, which serves up the very best in authentic Neapolitan pizza.
Kemptown
Kemptown is perhaps Brighton’s most eccentric and vibrant area, so it’s no surprise that many a famous face has chosen it as a place to settle down. Kemptown is the epicentre of Brighton’s famous and proud LGBTQIA+ community and living here will secure you a front row seat to the most sought after location in Brighton’s annual Pride celebration parade. Kemptown is also arguably Brighton’s best place to grab a drink, with some of the trendiest bars and pubs in its vicinity. It is also a stone’s throw from the seafront, so if waking up with the beach on your doorstep has always been a dream of yours, you may find Kemptown is the perfect place to make it a reality.
Preston Park
If you are paying close attention to this article then you have probably noticed an ongoing theme throughout. That is, of course, areas that are close to parks. Whether or not there is a direct correlation between living in close proximity of a park and having a fine quality of life is up for debate. But here at We Love Brighton, we are proud of the parks this city has to offer. Out of all the parks, Preston Park is arguably the best, and the biggest, while the surrounding residential area is famous for being one of the most harmonious places to live in the UK. Preston Park is a sprawling edifice of rich and tranquil beauty, and is a perfect place to stretch the legs after a long and busy week at work. The area is also very close the city centre, so a weekend commute into town will not take you too long.
