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Moving to Brighton

Adele MacGregor

Written by Reviewed by Dave Sayce

17th Jul 2020 (Last updated on 7th Feb 2024) 8 minute read

Based in South-East England, Brighton, a constituent part of the city of Brighton and Hove, is a vibrant and colourful coastal resort. Renowned for independent businesses, dedication to the arts and a proud LGBTQ+ scene, Brighton has rapidly become a popular place to live.

Brighton has everything you could want from a city, including independent shopping, restaurants and cafes, and a host of live music, comedy and theatre. At the same time, the city feels small enough that it retains its unique charm and a strong sense of community. During the summer, the beaches, restaurants, pubs and nightclubs attract people from all over the UK, especially London.

With the easy London Commute - just 50 minutes away - many London house movers have chosen to swap the chaos of city life for the tranquility of the seaside which has brought about the endearing and apt nickname ‘London on Sea’. For those looking to move to Brighton, Compare My Move has created this guide with everything you need to know, including average property prices, the local job sector, best performing schools and the best areas to live.

  1. Property in Brighton
  2. Best Areas to Live in Brighton
  3. Where To Work In Brighton
  4. Schools and Education in Brighton
  5. Transport in Brighton
  6. Entertainment in Brighton
  7. Crime in Brighton
  8. Moving to Brighton with Compare My Move

Property in Brighton

The current average property price in Brighton is £364,183, with the average rent at £1,640 pcm. Much of the property in Brighton is of the Regency, Victorian and Edwardian eras. This includes the Victorian terraced housing, these days painted in bright colours which have become somewhat of a trademark for areas such as Hanover. Brighton is also famous for its grand Regency buildings along the seafront.

According to Compare My Move’s data, the average cost of a house move in Brighton is £879.35, although the average for a 3-bedroom house is slightly more, at £1,110.50. Of course, these figures will vary based on the size of the house and the distance of the move.

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Best Areas to Live in Brighton

Brighton has seen an influx of residents over the years, many from London, looking for a slower pace of life than the big city, and more reasonable house prices too. The area has become known not only for its seafront and Regency buildings but for its creativity, independent businesses and the ever-growing LGBTQ+ community.

Below we’ve listed some of the popular places to live in Brighton and the average cost of a property to buy or rent. From the colourful streets of Hanover, to the quieter area of Moulsecoomb, Brighton has something for everyone.

AreaAverage Asking PriceAverage Asking Rent (pcm)
Kemptown£497,591£1,387
Hanover£437,493£1,878
Poets Corner£500,148£1,358
Moulsecoomb£437,493£1,878
Portslade£356,425£963

1. Kemptown

Historically known as the artists’ district, Kemptown is now home to a large LGBTQ+ community, with various independent shops, cafes and restaurants in addition to pubs and hotels.

A large number of the properties in Kemptown are the recognisable Regency style, although there are a few examples of Victorian and even some modern architecture. The average property price Kemptown is currently £497, 591.

2. Hanover

Bright and colourful terraced Victorian cottages line the streets of Hanover, which is principally on a steep hill. With Brighton Railway Station just 15 minutes away, this area is popular with commuters. A property in this area will cost on average £437,493.

The area prides itself on a strong sense of community, annually celebrating “Hanover Day” - a lively street festival. The thriving artistic community is celebrated, with music, dancing and a different theme each year.

3. Poets' Corner

Poets' Corner is home to spacious Victorian housing and more modern buildings with a mix of houses and flats which is ideal for young professionals and families as you can get more space for less money than in areas with Regency buildings. The average price of a property in this area is £500,148

With parks for children to play in and a much quieter part of town, this area suits young families perfectly. As with Hanover, the sense of community in the area is another bonus, making Poet’s Corner another pleasant area to live in Brighton.

4. Moulsecoomb

Mouslecoomb, a suburb of Brighton, is home to one of the three major sites for the University of Brighton and therefore perfect for students attending the campus. The area is also popular with families as Moulsecoomb is considered a relatively quiet and safe area. Properties range from terraced houses to modern flats, with the average property price at £437,493.

5. Portslade

A western suburb of Brighton and Hove, Portslade boast an array of seaside homes and Edwardian Buildings. The friendly community and good schools in the area makes it an ideal place for young families. The average property price in Portslade is £356,425.

Where To Work In Brighton

According to the latest figures, the average salary in Brighton is £27,000 per annum. Many Brighton residents will commute to London for work, with the capital city less than an hour away by train.

Nevertheless, Brighton has a booming digital sector with several agencies and tech and digital companies emerging from the area in recent years, providing employment for graduates and professionals.

Another prominent industry in Brighton is retail and tourism, particularly during the summer holidays when both UK and international tourists flock into the area. There is a particular emphasis on creativity and local business in Brighton, which provides work for those who are self-employed or within the creative industry.

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Schools and Education in Brighton

When it comes to finding a school for your children in Brighton has a range of secondary and primary schools, both public and private. Brighton & Hove also offer a range of infant and junior schools. Many of these schools have been rated Good or Outstanding by Ofsted and there are a number of specialist schools for varying abilities in the area.

For higher education, Brighton has two universities to choose from for aspiring students: the University of Brighton and the University of Sussex.

Top 5 Primary Schools

Primary SchoolLocationAge RangeMost Recent Ofsted Rating
St Luke’s Primary SchoolBrighton4-11Outstanding
Aldrington CofE Primary SchoolHove4-11Good
Benfield Primary SchoolBrighton4-11Good
Bevendean Primary SchoolBrighton3-11Good
Bilingual Primary SchoolBrighton & Hove4-11Good


Top 5 Secondary Schools

Secondary SchoolLocationAge RangeMost Recent Ofsted Rating
Blatchington Mill SchoolHove11-16Good
Brighton Aldridge Community AcademyBrighton11-19Good
Cardinal Newman Catholic SchoolHove11-18Good
Dorothy Stringer School
Brighton11-16Good
Hove Park School and Sixth Form Centre
Hove11-18Good

Transport in Brighton

There is access to public transport, including buses and trains. Brighton and Hove has rail connections from all over the country including Thameslink for London, Southern for areas such as Portsmouth and Southampton and Great Western Railway to reach the West Country and Wales.

Brighton is at the end of the M23 and A23 from South London. If you commute to and from London regularly, it’s around an hour away. For those looking for an eco-friendly alternative to transport, getting around Brighton can be done on foot or by bike but be aware that Brighton is known for its steep hills.

Entertainment in Brighton

There is a whole host of activities and events in Brighton all year round, so you won’t be at a loss for entertainment. Attracting droves of tourists - many from London - the promenade and seafront is one of the most attractive aspects of Brighton and is especially popular during the summer months.

The popular Brighton Palace Pier first opened in 1899. This 1,7222ft long Victorian pier is located in the heart of the eight-mile coastline of Brighton & Hove and is a lasting reminder of the boom in seaside resorts during the Victorian era. Today it is home to bars, restaurants and fairground rides, in addition to deckchairs to enjoy the sea view.

The coastline also features Brighton’s British Airways i360. A 450ft fully enclosed glass viewing pod, the i360 provides visitors with views across Brighton and the south coast. Opened in August 2016, it was designed as Britain’s first ‘vertical pier’.

Located just outside the Kemptown area, you’ll find Royal Pavilion, a breathtaking Grade I listed building and a former Royal Residence for King George IV. Today the building is a museum, featuring works of art and furnishing hailing from across England, France and China, including beautiful carved palm trees and bamboo imitation staircases.

For shopping, there’s the main shopping centre in Churchill Square or for independent shops, galleries and boutiques, there’s a stretch of them along the North Laine. Find pieces from local artists or pick up a vintage treasure in one of the secondhand and antique shops. You can also visit The Open Market and Brighton Flea Market for one-of-a-kind finds.

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Crime in Brighton

Living in Brighton has many upsides, as discussed above. However, it is worth noting the crime level in the area. Brighton sees less crime than bigger cities such as London, but anti-social behaviour related crime has seen an increase in Brighton over the years.

Reportedly, 29.3% of crimes committed in Brighton between June 2019 and May 2020 were violent crimes. However, drug-related crime was the fastest growing crime in the area, increasing by 19.4% over the last year, with 2.4K crimes committed.

The category of “bicycle theft crime” appears to be the highest-ranking crime category when compared to the national average, with the total number of bicycle theft crimes increasing by 3.2% year-on-year

Perhaps unsurprisingly, the city centre areas see the largest amount of crime. Smaller areas outside the main city such as Ovingdead and Rottingdean have seen the least amount of crime and considered safer areas to live.

Moving to Brighton with Compare My Move

If you’ve felt inspired by this article and are considering moving from London to Brighton or from another area of the UK, Compare My Move can help you save up to 70% on your surveying and conveyancing costs, in addition to the cost of a removal company.

Our trusted Brighton partners are all verified by our dedicated team, giving you peace of mind when buying a new home.

Adele MacGregor

Having worked at Compare My Move for over five years, Adele specialises in covering a range of surveying topics.

Dave Sayce

Reviewed by Dave Sayce

Owner & Managing Director, Compare My Move

Dave Sayce is the owner and managing director of Compare My Move and has over 10 years of experience in the house removals industry.

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