Any parents in Brighton?

It's looking as though we are going to be moving to Brighton -- we have two kids (ages 7 and 4) and are keen to get as much input as possible from others who live in Brighton with children. The main issue is schooling -- the notorious scramble for school places holds little appeal, but it looks like we're going to have to get stuck in. But also things like living space (four people in a 2-bedroom flat -- possible?) cost of living, safety, etc.

Please chime in if you can offer any advice...

I'll be moving to Brighton in October - if you want some help when you get there just let us know.  My husband grew up in Hove and we are starting to look at schools, neighborhoods, etc.  Hove is a nice area to live, right next to Brighton but a bit quieter, and I feel safer there.  We have a 2 year old girl, and we really like the Dharma School.  It's a very liberal buddhist curriculum and seems like a great option.  You may want to check the Ofsted reports of all the local schools, if you haven't already.

Thanks -- I was looking at a flat in Hove yesterday, in fact. A really nice area, I agree, and a good place to raise a kid. I got in touch with the Dharma School a few weeks ago, but sadly they don't have a space for my son. I've been looking at the Ofsted reports, which do a very thorough job, but I would still prefer to actually visit the schools for a look round. Sadly, this can't really be done during the school holidays.