When most people think England, they think London or Manchester. But London isn't coastal. So what's a beach bum expat to do? Easy: check out Brighton. The Georgian seaside resort is as full of history as it is artistic, bohemian charm, all with a laid-back, sea salt vibe.
Nestled in the South Downs coast, Brighton offers some of the best that Britain's south coast has to offer, from that summery, Coney Island nostalgia, to progressive, front-of-the-pack art and music. This, plus its great transport links, beautiful park collection, and friendly people, makes Brighton a fun, popular destination for expats, especially those who also want access to a range of good public and private schools, university options, and famous cultural landmarks.
Let's dive into what it's like living in Brighton to see if this could become your home abroad, too.
Short on time? Here’s the cheat sheet:
💭Living in Brighton is a great choice for those that prefer a laid-back seaside town to a big city.
🏠The best neighborhoods are The Lanes, North Laine, and Kemptown.
🛏️Start off by booking a stay in the city center, like at The Lanes Royale, and exploring in person to find your long-term rental.
🛂Most foreigners who live here are on either student visas, work visas, or partner visas.
💰Although not the cheapest place to live in the UK, it’s also not as costly as big cities like London. Earn travel rewards on all expenses with a Capital One Venture Card.
☂️You'll need to be OK with a big student population and plenty of tourists in the summer…
🏖️But living in Brighton has a great LGBTQ+ scene and is super quirky and artistic.
We’re not a regular travel blog; we’re a collection of women living around the world, all with different backgrounds, jobs, desires, & nationalities. What do we have in common? A passion for life abroad. Each article is written from the 1st-hand perspective of a woman who has actually done or experienced what she writes about.
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Understand the Brighton Vibe
Brighton is a city often described as quirky, creative, and open-minded. It's a city that embraces diversity, and houses a strong LGBTQ+ scene, a thriving arts ecosystem, and a summery vibe you won't forget.
However, it also can be expensive and the sea brings unpredictable, often blustery weather. Be sure that this is what you're looking for when searching for your new home.
Barely a week goes by in Brighton without some sort of local event, creating a full calendar of community activities to suit tourists and residents alike. Every year the city plays host to numerous festivals, markets, and cultural staples including the Burning of the Clocks, Brighton Pride, and Brighton Fringe.
The seagulls in Brighton are notoriously bold and aggressive. It's not just a trope that one of the large seabirds will swoop in and take a sandwich, chip, or ice cream right out of your hand! So if you're snacking as you wander Brightonian streets, be sure to be vigilant, else you might end up losing your lunch.
Life in Brighton is focused heavily on the experiences of tourists and students. While there are plenty of exciting leisure options no matter your age or home address, many of the attractions are geared towards families on summer holidays.
Cost of Living in Brighton
It's possible to carve out a space for yourself in this East Sussex gem regardless of your situation, but there's a few things to consider when planning your finances for your move to the coast.
Cost of Rent
Brighton's not the cheapest place to live. Accommodation costs can be high, especially in central areas. Renting a one-bedroom flat in central Brighton can range from £1,000 to £1,500 per month. Expect a house to be considerably higher. Consider budgeting carefully and explore different neighborhoods to find a place that fits your financial situation.
Cost of Transport
Brighton is very well covered by public transport and features good cycling paths and walkability.
Brighton & Hove Buses run all the way from Worthing and Littlehampton to Eastbourne, which covers the bulk of the Sussex coastline, and there are not one, but two rail stations in Brighton serving direct connections to Southampton, Portsmouth, London, and Cambridge, among many others.
Owning a car isn't necessary, but if you do drive, be aware that parking can be challenging and expensive, particularly in central areas. Consider this when choosing where to live.
The Best Neighborhoods in Brighton...
There are lots of different neighborhoods for those moving to Brighton, each with its own personality and draw. Here, we'll outline some highlights to help you balance the benefits and high costs:
The Lanes & North Laine
These twisting warrens of quaint, cobbled alleyways and precarious buildings are chock full of independent shops, cafes, and hidden gems...and some truly Brightonian flats and maisonettes.
Centrally located, both The Lanes and North Laine are perfect for those who want to be in the heart of the cultural scene. Living here means having bohemian marketplaces on your doorstep, but with much higher costs.
📍Before signing a lease in The Lanes or North Laine, book a hotel or vacation rental to get a real feel for the area first. I recommend staying at:
- Budget Stay: The Market Inn: If you're craving old British charm, you'll love your stay at this small hotel that sits above a classic pub.
- Mid-Tier Stay: The Lanes Royale: At this spacious apartment you'll be a quick walk to Brighton Beach and the Brighton Pier.
- Luxury Stay: Central 3 Bed Flat: For those moving with their family or who just want a little bit more room, this 3 bedroom apartment has plenty of space.
Kemptown
As previously mentioned, Brighton is the epicenter of the LGBTQ+ scene in the UK. And within the city, Kemptown is the neighborhood known for its strong sense of queer community and vibrant independent shops and cafes.
Colorful, lively, and close to the seafront, Kemptown still manages to provide relatively affordable housing compared to other central areas.
📍Before signing a lease in Kemptown, book a hotel or vacation rental to get a real feel for the area first. I recommend staying at:
- Budget Stay: Blue Sky Guest House: Located right in the heart of Kemptown, choose from a variety of room sizes to get the space you desire without breaking your budget.
- Mid-Tier Stay: The Twenty One: This cozy hotel offers a great tea room and a big breakfast to keep you full in your day of apartment hunting.
- Luxury Stay: Whole House in Kemptown: Get space for your family at this house rental right on the west side of Kemptown, heading towards The Lanes.
Hove
Technically a separate town, Hove offers a more laid-back, residential atmosphere, and is a popular choice among families and working professionals who want to live in Brighton, but without the hustle and bustle.
Its features include beautiful Regency architecture, wide streets, and a less crowded seafront. Despite being calmer, it still offers a variety of pubs, restaurants, and parks.
📍Before signing a lease in Hove, book a hotel or vacation rental to get a real feel for the area first. I recommend staying at:
- Budget Stay: Seafront Medina: The Hove Beach is just 500 meters from this small yet charming apartment rental.
- Mid-Tier Stay: Seaview Mansion Apartment: You'll get incredible bang for your buck at this 2-bedroom apartment with a seaview.
- Luxury Stay: Modern 2-Bedroom Flat: If you're willing to pay a bit more for a funky design and unique furnishing, you'll prefer this apartment instead.
Seven Dials
If you're looking for a trendy area that has a village-like feel, Seven Dials is the place for you. It's known for its good schools and mix of cafes, pubs, and shops. This makes it extremely desirable among families and young professionals.
📍Before signing a lease in Seven Dials, book a hotel or vacation rental to get a real feel for the area first. I recommend staying at:
- Budget Stay: Spacious Hideaway: Although the most budget-friendly option, since this area is known more for homes than hotels, you'll only have high-end, spacious flats to choose from.
- Mid-Tier Stay: Typical English Terraced House: For a true sense of what it would feel like to live in this area, this typical home is a great place to give it a test drive.
- Luxury Stay: Stylish, Central, Newly Decorated: Although technically in North Laine, here you'll get to see what both of these sought-after neighborhoods are like before choosing one.
Hanover
Residents of this part of the city tend to be young, eco-conscious professionals, giving it its nickname, “Muesli Mountain.” A friendly, lively neighborhood, Hanover is characterized by its colorful terraced houses and steep streets.
📍Before signing a lease in Hanover, book a hotel or vacation rental to get a real feel for the area first. I recommend staying at Sunny Queens Park Home. Since this isn't a typical tourist area, there aren't many rentals or hotels to choose from right in the neighborhood.
...And The Areas To Avoid!
While it's hard to turn down a bargain, cheap rent often comes with caveats. As you're shopping for your seaside home, here's some areas to approach with caution:
Whitehawk
Despite some regeneration efforts, this area has a reputation for higher than average crime and more social issues. Those who are concerned about safety: this might not be for you. However, the bad reputation does mean that rent is cheap, so if you're a bit braver you can snag a good deal.
Moulsecoomb
Popular with students due to its proximity to the University of Brighton, Moulsecoomb is further from the center of things, and thus offers more affordable accommodation options. However, being a hub for students means it could be louder during term months, and it does also struggle with higher levels of poverty and crime.
London Road/Preston Circus
This area is conveniently located to the town's second, smaller train station (imaginatively named 'London Road (Brighton)'), which makes it popular for commuters, but some parts have a reputation for being slightly run-down. Recent years have seen a lot of new development and renovation projects, but the mixed perception persists. It's also home to Preston Park, which offers plenty of entertainment for children and places to exercise.
Job Hunting Prospects
Now you've got an idea of the cost and neighborhood vibes, the next step is figuring out how to pay for it. Many expats are retired, or business owners, but if you're not, it's worth thinking about the job market.
As a seaside holiday town, Brighton has a strong hospitality sector. There's also plenty of retail work, and a thriving university for careers in higher education.
A great place to find a job in Brighton is on websites like Indeed. Being very convenient to the capital, expats living here get access to that job market, so whatever your profession, you'll easily find a good job!
But to secure one, you'll need to pass some legal requirements first.
Visa Requirements
Depending on your home country, background, and financial situation, you may qualify for any number of visa options, such as the Skilled Worker, Youth Mobility, or Ancestry visas.
I have lived in the UK under study visas for university and Partner/Spousal visas, and am now settled.
Unfortunately, there's currently no visa for freelancers or digital nomads. The best way to figure out your immigration path is by consulting the UK Government’s website.
Things to Do in Brighton City Center
With such a youthful, cosmopolitan population, there's of course a world-class night life to cater to any demographic, no matter how much money you have in your pocket or what your scene is. Sometimes the best way to discover the hotspots that keep Brighton moving is just walking down a random street, but we've laid out a few landmarks to get you started:
Go to the Beach
During the summer months, this seaside town really comes into its own, with its shores heaving with visitors. Some areas get more crowded than others, so plan ahead and consider nearby beaches like Shoreham and Saltdean.
Take in a Show
The Brighton Dome, the Hope and Ruin, and even the beach are all exciting options if you're looking for a venue for live music. With several theaters, comedy clubs, drag bars, and a large number of other options, there's no excuse to not get into the local music and theater scene.
Show Your Pride
As the unofficial gay capital of the UK, Brighton's Pride celebration is world famous and not one to miss. A weekend of activities and entertainment and a massive parade, all geared towards bringing the queer community together. Plan travel carefully though, as the festivities often cause massive disruptions to public transit.
Find Your New Favorite Restaurant
Brighton has just about anything you could possibly want in terms of restaurants. It boasts Southeast Asia cuisines like Thai and Filipino, some fantastic Italian options, dozens of fantastic chippies, more top-notch coffee shops than you can imagine, plus some unique options like Loading, their gaming themed bar which offers nibbles, tabletop, video, and board games for you to try.
Is Moving to Brighton Worth It?
My move to the Brighton area was my first encounter with this part of Sussex, and so far it's been a far cry from my Hampshire roots.
Here, you can live at whatever speed you like: choose the slow, idyllic pace of the seaside, or the breathless rush of culture, arts, and protest fueled by the young, energetic, bohemian population.
While I probably won't stay here forever, I'm very glad I took the plunge and experienced what Brighton has to offer, and can absolutely recommend it to expats!
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