Brighton among the top places to live in the South East

The city is one of several Sussex sites to make the list "the 20 best places to live" in the region.

According to property finders Garrington, Brighton's "cosmopolitan vibe", choice of "outstanding" schools, easy beach access and direct railway line to London make it a great choice for house hunters.

A spokesman for the company said: "Brighton’s location on the sunny south coast of England, yet well within commuting distance of London, makes it popular with young professionals and families.

"It has a diverse population, with students from the University of Sussex swelling the numbers significantly and giving the town an international, cosmopolitan vibe.

A brillaint Brighton photo from Vidit Gupta

"The beaches immediately surrounding the town are almost certain to be crowded during the summer months, when quieter outings and countryside walks can be found across the rolling South Downs."

The city has several primary schools which are rated as "outstanding" by Ofsted, while secondary schools Varndean School and Dorothy Stringer are both rated "good".

It also has strong links to London with the A23 running straight to the capital, while the Brighton Mainline can take commuters into London Bridge in about an hour.

The average house price in Brighton over the 12 months leading up to November last year was £563,423.

But Brighton was beaten to the top spot by Reigate in Surrey, which the Garrington spokesman said was perfect for professionals with families.

"Reigate continues to attract professional workers, many of whom will have young to teenage children," he said.

"Although close to London, parts of the Borough offer good walking country, with commanding views over the North Downs."

The average house price in Reigate over the 12 months leading up to November last year was £973,733.

Louise Yates, a brilliant start to the day in Brighton

Another Sussex town to rank highly on the list was Petworth, which finished in eighth place.

Though the average house price in the town was more than a million pounds (£1,032,768), its abundance of historic houses, independent shops and restaurants earned it a place in the top ten.

Two other Sussex towns also made the list, Crowborough in 18th and Winchelsea in 20th.

Snow in Crowborough Credit: Phil Blackwell

A Garrington spokesman said: "Crowborough is an affluent town in the district of Wealden, which stretches from the Weald in the north as far south as the East Sussex coast. It sits on the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

"Although the market town is in an area of natural beauty, it is a firm favourite with families, has a liveliness of its own and fulfils its role as the largest inland town in East Sussex.

"Winchelsea became an important cross Channel port soon after the Norman Conquest in 1066, although the old town was destroyed by flooding in 1287. A new town was ordered to be built by Kind Edward I.

"Today, it is a picturesque, peaceful – some might say sleepy – community of barely 600 inhabitants who jealously guard their reputation as the “smallest town in England”.

"Winchelsea has beautiful shingle beaches facing Rye Bay, the estuary of the River Rother, where you can enjoy bracing coastal walks."