What's It Like To Live There?

Living in Hove

The boundary between Hove and Brighton these days is largely irrelevant, or is it? People still draw a distinction and apparently those people living in Hove still look down on people living in Brighton.

Until the Unitary authority was established Brighton and Hove were two separate towns. These days, although there may still be two town halls we are one town and of course still hope to be one city. Read on then to find out what Hove is like and then compare for yourself. (Incidentally, the border is marked by the Peace Statue and a series of bollards on the sea-front).

Regency Terraces & Squares

Pretty much like Lewes Crescent and Sussex Square in Kemptown, Hove has it's Regency Squares. The first one you will come across, next to the border is firstly Brunswick Terrace, which leads into Brunswick Square. Believe it or not these lovely Regency properties were going to be demolished. Around the thirties when Embassy Court was built (currently the crumbling block on the border) the plan was to continue the block right along the sea front. Now at the turn of the new century all of these properties are Grade 2 listed, with the vast majority being flats of varying sizes.

A series of squares then continue right along the front, with probably the next most impressive one being Adelaide Crescent which opens out into Palmeira Square. This pretty much mirrors the Sussex Square area in Kemptown, the difference being that Western Road runs right through the top of the square around a grassy island that is known locally as the "Floral Clock" during summer the clock used to point out the time, which was identified by special planting that changed every year. This has been out of use for a couple of years, but it is hoped to be operational again soon.

Regency Square In Hove

Poets Corner

This is an area bordered by Portland Road and Sackville Road in addition to the coastline to Worthing. These terraced houses date back from the turn of the 20th Century and are generally priced lower than some of the Regency properties. However, this is a very popular area, handy for the shops, Aldrington Station (Change at Hove for London) and generally ok for street parking (no resident permit scheme is in operation) The properties are still a mixture of flats (conversions) houses and maisonettes.

Shopping, Food & Drink

There are a number of very different shopping areas in Hove. As you come along Western Road you will see a number of Antique shops, local independently owned upmarket specialist shops (HiFi or furniture) as well as a plethora of Newsagents come General Stores.

Apart from the larger shops seven day trading will not usually be found here. Further into Hove you come to Church Road with it's range of Letting and Estate Agents, as well as Restaurants and Public Houses offering a very varied selection of food and drink.

George Street is the main shopping street and is where you will find a number of major High Street retailers. This road connects with Blatchington Road which again has a very mixed supply of shops, catering for very different tastes.

At the Junction of Sackville road you come to Portland Road, which after ¼ mile has an even greater range of shops. Here you will find a selection of second hand furniture stores, this is also the place to go to restock the Aquarium!

Dining Alfresco In Hove

Leisure On The Seafront

The seafront in Hove takes on an altogether calmer pace than that in Brighton. Rows of Beach Huts are used every Summer, with a waiting list for the next season! An area of lawn laid behind the Beach Huts keeps the traffic at bay and provides an ideal play area if the beach is too busy. Further down the front, towards Portslade this gives way to a Lagoon where wind surfers can be seen in abundance during the weekend.

Properties on the sea front obviously attract a premium, even more so if they have a sea-view. Generally all of these are flats, some will be purpose built, but there is still a good spread of converted property. Some of the purpose built flats are comparable to those found within the Marina complex and as a result are very popular.

Hove

98 Church Road
Hove
East Sussex
BN3 2EB

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