What’s going for it? Aside from the fact that it is on a coastline at the end of the country, threatened by sea level rise and postglacial rebound, Brighton is possibly the best place in the UK from which to fight the climate crisis. Calm down, Bristol, European Green Capital 2015: yes, you are incredibly woke, too. Only, you are not home to the UK’s first (and still only) Green party MP, Saint Caroline Lucas, or the UK’s highest number of Green councillors – 19, as of May’s elections. The Greens also topped the polls in last month’s European elections, with 35.7% of the vote. However, you may struggle slightly to square the property prices – of London proportions – with your belief that a truly green philosophy entails a fundamental restructuring, if not overthrow, of capitalist economics. But at least you will seldom spot a Daily Mail in your neighbour’s recycling.
The case against Embrace the grime, love the seediness. Ditto with stag/hen parties, Bez-alikes partying like it’s 1999, and sundry eccentrics. Don’t mention S******* Railway.
Well connected? I said, don’t mention S******* Railway. Trains: north to London Bridge (66 mins) and beyond, or London Victoria (1 hr); east to Eastbourne (40 mins) and Hastings (70 mins); west to Chichester (55 mins) and Portsmouth (1 hr 21 mins). Driving: its parking, traffic and one-way system are enough for you to dump your car; if not, Gatwick (eek) is 40 mins.
Schools Primaries: all but one are “good”, Ofsted says, with Patcham Infant and Downs Junior and Infant “outstanding”. Secondaries: Patcham High, Varndean, Dorothy Stringer and Cardinal Newman Catholic are all “good”.
Hang out at… You won’t go thirsty, hungry or unentertained here. But top of the tree has to be meat-free Terre à Terre.
Where to buy The centre is “famous” Brighton, either the net of old cottages in the Lanes or North Laine conservation areas, or classic Regency or Victorian stucco in the grand squares, or cute streets off Western Road. More of the same, just less touristy, in Seven Dials, West Hill and Clifton Hill. Immediately north are Five Ways and the London Road neighbourhoods of stucco mid-Victorian terraces, and dense suburbs, such as Preston Park and Moulsecoomb (less cutesy, cheaper). Large suburban homes roll up and down the hills: Withdean (with Dyke Road, the priciest part of town), Patcham and Hollingbury. Large detacheds and townhouses, £600,000-£2m; up to £3m by the seafront. Detacheds and smaller townhouses, £400,000-£600,000. Semis, £300,000-£1.2m. Smaller terraces and cottages, £300,000-£500,000. Flats, £175,000-£875,000. Rentals: a one-bedroom flat, £700-£1,600pcm; a three-bedroom house, £1,200-£2,750pcm.
Bargain of the week Large, interwar three-bed semi, with big garden, needs modernisation, £625,000, with kingandchasemore.co.uk.
From the streets
Rick Williams “The cycle lane system is poor and needs to be hugely improved to get more people on two wheels and reduce traffic.”
Phil Buckingham “The Store shop is good – you can ‘weigh and save’, so less packaging. Lacks a contemporary arts centre/gallery.”
Chris Hall “Downs: narrow pavements, standing off against off-road buggies, and having to drive half a mile away to park.”
• Live in Brighton? Join the debate below.
Do you live in Hemel Hempstead? Do you have a favourite haunt or a pet hate? If so, email lets.move@theguardian.com by Tuesday 2 July.
