Choosing where to live in Brighton and Hove depends on your budget, commute, preferred type of property and how close you want to be to the coast or city centre.
This guide compares eight selected areas within Brighton and Hove. It is not a ranking or a complete guide to every part of the city. Each area has different benefits and drawbacks, so use the comparisons to create a shortlist before checking current properties, journey times and conditions around the exact address.
Seven Dials
Seven Dials is close to central Brighton and within reach of Brighton railway station. Its local centre has shops, cafés and places to eat, while nearby green spaces include St Ann’s Well Gardens and Dyke Road Park.
Brighton station provides bus connections and cycle storage, with step-free access to all platforms. Check current Brighton station information for facilities, assistance arrangements and any changes affecting your journey. Train times, stopping patterns and ticket costs will depend on when and where you travel.
Some homes are near busy routes, so assess road noise and traffic when viewing a property.
Consider Seven Dials if: walking access to central Brighton and the main railway station matters more than having a quieter suburban setting.
Hove
This section focuses on central Hove and nearby areas such as Poets’ Corner and Westbourne. Housing, distance from the station and proximity to the coast vary considerably within this part of the city.
Hove offers access to the seafront alongside residential streets, local shops, cafés and restaurants. Hove railway station has bus links, cycle storage and step-free access to all platforms. Check current Hove station information before relying on a particular facility or connection.
Do not treat Hove as one uniform property market. Compare individual streets and test the journey from the actual address rather than relying on the Hove name alone.
Consider Hove if: you want coastal access but would prefer to live outside Brighton’s busiest central streets.
Preston Park
Preston Park may suit people who want access to a large public park and a railway station without living directly in the city centre. Brighton & Hove City Council describes Preston Park as the largest urban park in the city.
Preston Park station has no step-free access to its platforms and no lifts. Anyone with mobility or accessibility requirements should check current Preston Park station information and investigate alternative routes before choosing the area for commuting.
The park is used for concerts, fairs and other events, some of which may lead to temporary transport changes or road restrictions. Check the council’s current outdoor events programme before deciding whether a nearby street meets your needs.
Consider Preston Park if: park access and rail connections are priorities, provided the station’s accessibility arrangements meet your needs.
Kemptown
Kemptown lies east of central Brighton and close to the seafront. St James’s Street and the surrounding roads have shops, cafés, restaurants and evening venues.
There is no railway station in Kemptown. Local buses connect the area with central Brighton and other parts of the city, but the most suitable route will depend on the property address and time of travel. Use the Brighton & Hove Buses journey planner to investigate the complete journey.
Activity and noise can differ considerably between main routes and nearby residential streets. Visit during the evening and at the weekend rather than relying on a single daytime viewing.
Consider Kemptown if: proximity to the seafront, central Brighton and places to eat or socialise is more important than living near a railway station.
Hanover
Hanover sits north-east of the city centre, near Queen’s Park and within reach of Lewes Road. Its hillside position means some walking and cycling journeys involve steep climbs.
Parking must be investigated at address level. Brighton & Hove City Council operates controlled parking zones, and some zones have permit waiting lists. A resident permit allows the holder to use eligible bays within the relevant zone but does not reserve a particular space or guarantee a place outside the property.
Check the council’s https://www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/parking-zones using the exact address and review the current permit waiting lists.
The size, layout and condition of individual properties can vary, so do not assume that homes on neighbouring streets offer the same amount or type of space.
Consider Hanover if: you want to live within reach of central Brighton and are comfortable with steep streets and possible parking restrictions.
Fiveways
Fiveways is based around the junction of Ditchling Road, Preston Drove and neighbouring streets. Blakers Park is in the Fiveways area, while Preston Park provides another large green space nearby.
Local bus services connect this part of Brighton with the centre, although the time needed to reach a station varies across the neighbourhood. Use the official journey planner to test the route from a property at the times you expect to travel.
Parts of Fiveways are within controlled parking zone F, which includes permit, paid and shared-use bays. Restrictions and zone boundaries should be checked against the exact street because they may affect residents and visitors. The council provides current information for parking zone F.
Consider Fiveways if: local shops and access to parks matter more than living close to the seafront, and the parking arrangements around your chosen address are suitable.
Brighton Marina
Brighton Marina offers waterfront apartment living east of central Brighton. Shops, restaurants and leisure facilities are located within the Marina, while bus services connect it with other parts of the city. There is no railway station within the development.
Check the current Marina directory and travel information and use the local bus journey planner for address-specific routes.
Before viewing or making an offer on a property, obtain details of:
- service charges and what they cover
- planned or anticipated major works
- building maintenance arrangements
- lease terms, where applicable
- parking rights and restrictions
- building insurance arrangements where relevant
- any additional development-specific fees
These costs and conditions vary by building and can materially affect affordability. Buyers should obtain the relevant lease, management information and property-specific enquiries through their conveyancer. Renters should confirm which charges, parking rights and building rules apply under the tenancy before committing.
Consider Brighton Marina if: you prefer a waterfront apartment and are prepared to examine the building’s charges, legal arrangements and maintenance responsibilities.
Patcham
Patcham is towards the northern edge of Brighton, away from the seafront and busiest central streets. Bus services connect it with other parts of the city, but travel times depend on the address, route and traffic conditions. Current routes and service changes can be checked through Brighton & Hove Buses.
Families considering Patcham should use the council’s current school admission guides. Living close to a school does not by itself guarantee a place, and admission arrangements can change between school years.
Academies, free schools and voluntary-aided schools may have their own admission criteria, so check the arrangements for each school under consideration.
Consider Patcham if: you prefer a setting towards the edge of the city and are comfortable travelling into central Brighton.
Compare the areas against your daily routine
Before creating a shortlist, decide which of these factors you cannot compromise on:
- current purchase price or monthly rent
- total commuting time and cost
- step-free transport access
- service charges and possible major works
- parking restrictions and permit availability
- current school admission arrangements
- distance from the seafront, parks or city centre
- evening noise and event activity
- hills, steps and walking conditions
- space for working from home
Property prices and rents change frequently and can vary between neighbouring streets. Compare current listings and completed-sale evidence using the same property type and a consistent geographical boundary. City-wide or area-wide averages should not be treated as the likely cost of a particular home.
Visit each shortlisted street during the day, in the evening and, where practical, at the weekend. Test the full journey to work or other regular destinations, including the walk to the stop or station. Before making a financial commitment, obtain information about the specific property, building, parking arrangements and any charges or restrictions that would apply to you.