Let’s move to Eastbourne, East Sussex: ‘Things may be changing’

What’s going for it? I’m sure lots of dirty – even depraved – things go on in Eastbourne, but you’d never know it. The only time it threatened to get “a reputation” was in the 1950s, when local GP John Bodkin Adams went on trial for allegedly murdering elderly patients, but he was found not guilty. A close shave. Like its most famous daughter, Theresa May, the town has perfected its poker face. Chaos may reign, but the facade remains resolute. Perhaps at 7pm after a sherry or five, Eastbourne erupts into twerking and Jägerbombs. On the surface, though, it’s all gentle pleasures, high hedges and municipal borders, Eric Ravilious and toasted teacakes, and that astonishingly beautiful waterfront. It leaves the showing off to its neighbour round the corner, Brighton. Things, though, may be changing. Eastbourne’s gentleness has long attracted retirees; but its population is getting younger. Downshifting Generation X-ers and millennials are moving in and I suspect they won’t be entirely satisfied by sweet sherry. Eastbourne may get racy.

The case against Thanks to miasmas gusting across the Channel, Eastbourne is one of the UK’s worst towns for particulate pollution. Most of it is delightful, but the stretch around the Arndale Centre is rather dreary.

Well connected? Trains: to Hastings (26-36 mins), Brighton (33-43 mins), Ashford (69 mins), London Victoria (90 mins) via Gatwick Airport (52-61mins). Driving: 50-60 mins to Brighton, an hour to Crawley and the M23.

Schools Primaries: among many “good”, says Ofsted, Gildredge House is “outstanding”. Secondaries: The Cavendish, Eastbourne Academy, Gildredge House, Willingdon Community and St Catherine’s CofE are “good”.

Hang out at… Fusciardi’s ice-cream parlour, of course. The Mirabelle, though wear your tux. The Lamb Inn in the Old Town serves a fine Sussex ale.

Where to buy Really excellent homes. Mostly Edwardian or late Victorian, after Eastbourne was cobbled together from four hamlets when the railway arrived. In the centre, Little Chelsea is nice, and, west, those avenues of large stucco townhouses. Meads, Old Town and Holywell are poshest, with large detacheds and villas. East of the centre has late-Victorian and Edwardian townhouses in Redoubt up to Roselands. Ratton and Willingdon (especially the “village”) for the burbs. Large detacheds and townhouses, £400,000-£1.25m. Detacheds and smaller townhouses, £300,000-£400,000. Semis, £200,000-£700,000. Terraces and cottages, £160,000-£400,000. Flats, £100,000-£550,000. Rentals: a one-bedroom flat, £550-£750pcm; a three-bedroom house, £850-£1,450pcm.

Bargain of the week A four-bedroom period semi in the centre, needing refurbishment, £270,000 with beeshomes.com.

From the streets

Stuart Reid “The reputation of ‘God’s waiting room’ applies to about one road in the whole town. Loads of people moving from London and farther afield (we moved from Oxford four years ago) as it’s a great place for young families. It’s not Brighton, but Brighton is just down the road.”

Will Weaver “The coffee and brunch at the independent Nelson’s, oppposite the station, are incredible. Visit the Fuse Box at the Towner Gallery, which ties in a kids’ play area with the exhibitions on show.”