Seven-month review of Hastings

A recent arrival in Hastings, Vanessa Alves, assesses her time and experience in her new home town.

It has been seven months since we, consisting of me, my partner, two boys and a cat, moved to Hastings from Cornwall. We came a lot last year, before the big move to scout out the area.  Every time we came, the sun was shining and we spent a lot of time in Alexandra Park and by the sea front with the boys introducing them to what would be our new home. Hastings really shone as we saw it in its best.

I am still recovering from our big move, I knew it was going to be a little crazy but, I did not quite realise how much I would need to recover from it. Having said that, now that we are here and in the house I think the adjustment period is coming to end and it feels like normal life again.

We made the move for work, my partner needed a change and Hastings quickly drew our eye. It was close to London, for my family and also a hop and skip away from his parents in Camber. For the first time in a long time we have had plenty of babysitting and we have taken full advantage!

But what made us choose Hastings over other areas was its vibrancy. There is always something going on or something I can take the kids to or we can go to as a family. I am never short of something to do and with added bonus that we are still by the sea side!

I have to admit that I was spoilt by the beauty of Cornish beaches and when we were still in the discussion stage I had to contend with the possibility that we may not live by the sea again, which actually caused me to shed a few tears.  So when it became more and more likely that Hastings was the place we were headed to, I let out a great sigh of relief knowing that we were still beside the sea.

The Hastings seafront is incredible, I was amazed by its great expanse. How you can keep walking and walking and there is still more to offer and more to see. I was a little worried that the kids wouldn’t like how pebbly the beach was, but being typical boys they have already spent so much time throwing stones into the sea. They have also discovered the joy of arcades and are completely in love with the miniature golf. One weekend, I even let them go on the trampolines and I was called the best mum ever! I had to laugh.

So here we are, seven months into the new chapter of family life in Hastings. Everything is still quite new and we are keen to explore more of what Hastings has to offer. If you have any suggestions or places that we have to go to please let me know and I will let you know about our continuing journey.

After much reflection, I am happy that we now call Hastings home.

Also in: Hastings People