vwbabe

Hi all...

We emigrating from SA to England. Please advise which area would be better to stay in as we have a 3 year old toddler so schooling is very important.

Thanks

Pollyana

They are pretty close together, but Haywards Heath is the slightly larger centre so more choice. Also although both are on the London-Brighton mail rail line Haywards Heath has more choice for faster trains, could be an important decision point if you need to commute either to Brighton or Gatwick/London.

Been away too long to advise on schools etc now though I'm afraid.

vwbabe

Cool thanks....will keep that in mind!!!

Editha

Personally I'd choose Burgess Hill because it is smaller and less of a commuter town with more access to the countryside, but like Pollyanna I can't comment on schools.

You could consider living outside those towns, if your husband doesn't mind a commute. I own a property in Ringmer which is 30 minutes drive away from Burgess Hill. I don't have kids, but friends in the village are very happy with the schools there (there is a community college as well as a primary school), and the housing is quite reasonably priced for the area. There is a very good community spirit in Ringmer, but that is probably true of many other local communities.

Pollyana

Used to have a lot of friends with kids at Ringmer Community College and it always seemed to have a reasonable reputation (though I'm going back ten years now!)
Parts of Lewes are quite nice too, and some good schools there - also train lines if the commuting issue is part of the decision.

Pollyana

Used to have a lot of friends with kids at Ringmer Community College and it always seemed to have a reasonable reputation (though I'm going back ten years now!)
Parts of Lewes are quite nice too, and some good schools there - also train lines if the commuting issue is part of the decision.

ktmumma

I actually grew up in Burgess Hill and have worked in Haywards Heath and so know both very well!

It depends what you are looking for. Burgess Hill has not very many good shops to visit and less going on, Hayward's Heath has a few more plus a few small bars and more restaurants. The general reputation locally has always been that HH is slightly more affluent, however both have their areas to avoid and better areas of course. Schools have a better reputation in HH but I enjoyed a great primary and ok secondary school both in BH so there are still good options in BH. I definitely found growing up in Burgess Hill there was not much to do in the actual town but your child can still take part in lots of after school clubs etc.

Overall I think there will be more on for your toddler in HH and there are some good schools there too a nice small park to play at.