Londoners looking to relocate are heading to a seaside town on the south coast where more than 34% of the population are over 65, giving rise to the area being given the nickname “God’s waiting room”. Despite the humorous ageist tagline, it’s reported that many younger professionals from the capital are moving to Bexhill-on-Sea, East Sussex, so they can work remotely and be close to the beach.
The average house price in the town varies between £345,000, according to Rightmove, and £354,000, per property site Zoopla, making a seaside abode £350,000 cheaper than a similar home in London. An earlier report from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, now called the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, said the population had increased by 3% between 2011 and 2021. Those thinking of moving from London to Bexhill-on-Sea will join some illustrious company as former residents include the inventor of the television John Logie Baird, famous chef Fanny Cradock, comedian and writer Spike Milligan, and actor Desmond Llewelyn, who played the character Q in the James Bond films franchise.
Other claims to fame for the town include music legend Bob Marley performing his first-ever UK gig at the De La Warr Pavilion in the town in July 1972. And in 1902, the 8th Earl de la Warr offered his Bexhill seafront estate to the first International Motor Race Meeting in the UK, hosting it in conjunction with the Automobile Club of Britain and Ireland (which later became the RAC).
Compared to around 10 million people living in Greater London, the town offers significantly fewer residents, with around 40,000 living locally.
The Metro reports one of the main attractions for natives and visitors alike is the pretty Bexhill Beach, which offers the chance for bracing walks along the shoreline.
The beach runs for around two miles from Galley Hill in the west to the Polegrove recreation ground in the east. It offers beautiful views of the English Channel and the waters are popular for swimmers. Bexhill Beach is one of the highest-rated local experiences on Tripadvisor.
Bexhill-on-Sea, and nearby Eastbourne and Hastings, enjoy more sunshine hours than most of the UK, with an average of 1,892 hours recorded each year, nearly 500 hours more than the average for Britain.
A statement from Discover Bexhill, a local tourism guide site, said: “Bexhill-on-Sea is the birthplace of British motor racing, home of the De La Warr Pavilion and Guinness World Record breaker for the largest Charleston dance.
“Bexhill is a charming seaside town located at the heart of 1066 Country. It is a popular tourist destination, known for its scenic coastal views, historic architecture, and cultural heritage.
“Our town has a long history, dating back to the Norman conquest, and is home to several historic buildings and landmarks, such as the De La Warr Pavilion, a modernist building that serves as a centre for arts and culture.”
This story originally appeared on Express.co.uk
