Commutable journeys bring new homes appeal to Sussex coastal resorts 

The Sussex coast is one of England’s most iconic landscapes, encompassing the chalk cliffs of the Seven Sisters and a host of resorts, many of which still embrace their traditional charm while simultaneously changing to appeal to new generations – Brighton perhaps being the best example of that.

With typical journey times into London of between 60 and 90 minutes, many of the towns along the coast of East and West Sussex are just within the limits of what many commuters would generally accept. For those who can combine work at home with work in the office, a less frequent commute might make things even more appealing, especially when proximity to a beautiful coastline and scenic countryside is added into the mix.

It would be fair to say that the disputes and disruptions endured by thousands over the past months on the Southern Railway routes serving almost every coastal town in Sussex may have spoiled their appeal to some potential homebuyers (and, according to some stories, certain employers too).

However, if a resolution to these problems is reached, it’s likely that the Sussex coast will become a more popular option, and recent research showed that while many towns on the Southern routes saw poor property price changes at the start of the year, the four best-performing areas were all coastal. 

Journey times and costs of rail commuting are not dissimilar, whichever choice of town you choose, here are a few examples to consider.

• Bognor Regis (1h 35mins, £4,588 annual season ticket)
• Brighton (1h 11mins, £4,172 annual season ticket)
• Eastbourne (1h 33mins, £4,588 annual season ticket)
• Hastings (1h 37mins, £4,688 annual season ticket)
• Littlehampton (1h 44mins, £4,588 annual season ticket)
• Seaford (1h 31mins, £4,588 annual season ticket)
• Worthing (1h 25mins, £4,588 annual season ticket)

In terms of property prices, there is more variation for house-hunters to consider, though as Savills’ research from 2015 found, there is a national premium for coastal living. The latest research from Lloyds Bank sees Chichester and Brighton & Hove in the top six least affordable cities in the UK, with average prices at 10 times and 9.6 times average salaries respectively.

Last year, on the 950th anniversary of William the Conqueror’s invasion into southern England, Hastings was being called “Shoreditch-on-Sea” as a reflection of its increasing popularity and arty atmosphere, a transformation seen some years before in Brighton, and in neighbouring Kent in resorts like Whitstable and, more recently, Margate.

Here are some great new build homes to buy now along the Sussex coast:

Marine Drive in Saltdean, East Sussex (Mishon Mackay) – Just one of two properties at this small development remains for sale, a four-bedroom/four-bathroom house with direct sea views and over 2,500 sq ft of accommodation. The three-storey house, with integral garage, has a host of eco-features and its cliff-top location is only five miles from the centre of Brighton. Priced £849,950. Find out more at www.mishonmackay.com ; 01273 829 300	​
Cissbury Chase in Worthing, West Sussex (Barratt Homes) – There are just a couple of three- and four-bedroom homes currently for sale at this development on the Worthing/Goring-by-Sea border. With prices from £294,995, Help to Buy is available, requiring just a 5% deposit, and the site is open seven days a week for buyers tio check out the show home and speak to the marketing team. Find out more about Cissbury Chase from Barratt Homes	​​
Wyvern House in Bognor Regis, West Sussex (Ward & Partners) – This development comprises just six apartments in a central location in Bognor Regis, close to shops, amenities and the station. There is now just one one-bedroom apartment left for sale, priced at £160,000, and one two-bedroom apartment, at £197,500. There is gated parking allocated to each property. Find out more at www.wardandpartners.co.uk ; 01243 867632
Fairlight Cottage in Fairlight, East Sussex (Reeds Rains) – This individual family home is in a small village between Hasting and Rye, with rail connections from both. This detached property is on a quiet lane and has four bedrooms (en suite to the master) and plenty of off-road parking. It offers over 1,700 sq ft of living space and is priced at £495,000. Find out more at www.reedsrains.co.uk ; 01797 225864
Hortsley in Seaford, East Sussex (PegasusLife) – This luxury development, jdesigned by architects RCKa and just a short stroll from the sea, is for senior buyers and offers 38 one- and two-bedroom. Its design complements local architecture and also provides residents with coastal views, as well as a communal ‘winter gallery’ overlooking a variety of gardens. Prices on application. Find out more at www.hortsley.co.uk ; 01323 819035	​
Meadows View in Eastbourne, East Sussex (Bovis Homes) – There are a variety of assistance schemes available, such as Help to Buy and Part Exchange, to buy the last two-bedroom coach house property, priced at £224,995. The development is around 20 minutes’ walk from Hampden Park railway station and within easy reach of the coast and the South Downs. Find out more about Meadows view from Bovis Homes	​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​