Living in Brighton: coastal living meets commuter convenience

In May 2025, analysts at VCO conducted a landmark study of the UK’s most popular seaside resorts. From average temperatures to beach cleanliness and nearby amenities, the study scored and ranked 29 beloved destinations. And, perhaps unsurprisingly, it was Brighton that came out on top.

But while many of us think of sandcastles and windy walks on the pier, living in Brighton is about more than casual coastal living. It’s a thriving multicultural city with an open-minded culture that’s all its own and plenty to see and do, with the convenience you’ll only get from a big city. At just an hour from London, it's ideal for your commute or days out in the capital.

In 2026, Brighton continues to attract buyers and hold long-term property value because it offers something genuinely unique: a colourful blend of seaside living, entertainment and accessibility. 

The Brighton lifestyle: culture, coast and character

Brighton is best known as a tourist destination and artistic hub, home to iconic attractions like the Royal Pavilion and a range of arts venues for everything from live music to stand-up comedy. This thriving creative scene doesn’t just enrich quality of life and provide a seemingly endless list of fun things to do. It helps support a local economy that’s diverse, varied and robust.

In practice, that means living in Brighton has a lot more to offer than entertainment and the beach. The visitor economy contributes to amenities across the entire area, from stylish restaurants to high-street brands and independent retailers. Away from the coast, Brighton Lanes are packed with boutique shops and cafes, while Brighton Marina is a sprawling entertainment complex with some unmissable bars.

Culturally, Brighton is a diverse, inclusive place to live: a long-time champion of LGBTQ+ rights and an emerging sustainability hotspot thanks to the country’s only Green MP. In fact, one 2025 survey ranked Brighton in joint third place as the most inclusive city in the world.

Whether you’re exploring the arts, finding hidden gems in tucked away shops or heading out for some big-name entertainment at a local venue, Brighton has it all – the energy and excitement of a city with all the calm of the coast.

Brighton: a well-connected commuter town

Brighton has a dynamic economy in its own right, especially in the creative industries, digital and professional services. However, excellent road and rail connections make Brighton the perfect commuter town with an estimated 37,300 people commuting out of the city for work.

From Brighton train station, London St Pancras, Victoria and London Bridge are around an hour away, with a stop at Gatwick Airport on the route. This creates a convenient connection for anyone working at the airport, as well as holidays and trips overseas. The city is also supported by excellent road access to key destinations like Crawley, one of the most popular workplaces for people who live in and around Brighton.

Beyond a daily commute, this road and rail infrastructure is ideal for the significant boom in hybrid working. Living in Brighton is the perfect way to enjoy a more relaxed way of life than London, without compromising on convenience.

Schools and family life in Brighton

The availability of high-performing local schools is a key indicator for property values. Brighton and the surrounding area offer a rich blend of state and fee-paying schools for all ages, including:

• St Luke’s Primary School, a popular state primary (rated Good by Ofsted in 2025)

• Brighton College, a prestigious fee-paying day and boarding school for ages 11-18 (highly rated by the Independent Schools Inspectorate)

• Varndean School, a state secondary with above-average GCSE and A-Level performance (Rated Good by Ofsted in 2025)

The city itself is also home to the University of Brighton, a multi-campus institution with 17,400 students.

Countryside living just moments from Brighton

Brighton offers the excitement and variety of a big city, but the wider Brighton & Hove area encompasses a surprising amount of green space and more peaceful countryside living. The city itself is home to 1,471 hectares of parks, gardens and green space, while the sprawling South Downs National Park is less than a mile north of the city centre.

In the South Downs National Park, you’ll find rolling hills and ancient woodlands, ideal for long springtime walks and discovering rare wildlife. The park also features multiple destinations for family days out, including Amberley Museum and the stunning remains of a Roman villa.

Skylarks, Brookworth’s exceptional collection of premium new homes near Brighton, is just a few minutes from the edge of the park in Rottingdean. Designed to deliver the perfect balance of country living, coastal access, and big city convenience, Skylarks is an oasis of calm that offers the best of both worlds.

Why buyers are choosing Brighton in 2026

So far in 2026, the Brighton property market has performed well above the rest of the country. Data from the Office for National Statistics puts the average house price at £410,000, significantly higher than the UK average. And as demand continues to increase for in-between locations with excellent quality of life, people are relocating to Brighton and the surrounding area for long-term value.

At Brookworth, we build for long-term value, not just by carefully selecting some of the country’s most desirable locations but also prioritising quality in every aspect of our developments. It’s something you’ll see in every detail, from energy efficient smart home technology to locally sourced materials and traditional craftsmanship.

Find out more about Skylarks in Rottingdean near Brighton, or get in touch with our experienced sales teams for more help.