Worthing

[loumaria]

Hello, thinking of relocating to Worthing from East London after 20+ years as a single mum with 3 young boys. I've been told it's an up and coming area (i.e. has a bit of a buzz about it?) with some good schools and wanted to know what people feel that live there? I'm ready for a change but obviously want to make the right one.(I have friends in Brighton/Hove but I don't feel this would be the right choice for the boys plus expensive). Planning to visit a few times in next few months so any advice/places to check out would be much appreciated x

[KingJoffreysBloodshotEye]

There's an episode of Men Behaving Badly set in Worthing where they get pissed and steal a giant fish.

Whenever I watched it I always thought it looked nice there. Lovely beach.

[SaucyJack]

It'd be a nice place to raise a family, but I wouldn't describe it as having a buzz or being up-and-coming.

The new swimming pool is very naice tho.

[theparadoxofourage]

My grandmother lived in Worthing and we had her funeral nearby. The local hotel had constant gatecrashers in their 60s and 70s who pretended to be guests on the basis there were several funerals for elderly people a day and there was bound to be a reception they could get free food from. I haven't been to Worthing for a while but it's up and coming if you like Bridge clubs, otherwise not so much.

[theparadoxofourage]

Agree beach is lovely - only thing to go and see when we visited my grandmother as far as I remember.

[ShesAnEasyWuffer]

I had a flat in Worthing when single. I loved it there and it was the happiest time of my life. I'm now in Brighton and still miss worthing . If you want to pm me with any questions I'd be happy to help - good areas to live in etc.

[loumaria]

Hi, i will message you later - thank you. Surprised by some of these responses as i thought a lot of families were moving into the area and that a lot of regeneration was being financed so the area is improving. Any more people that likes Worthing out there?!

[Doyouthinktheysaurus]

Not sure about up and coming, it's always been quite gentile and sedate in a pleasant way.

We live not far from worthing, it's nice. Less of a buzz than Brighton but nice pier, decent enough shops and closer to the South Downs than Brighton.

Not sure about schools but it's a fairly family oriented area I think.

The only bit that needs regeneration is the Guildbourne centre which is a bit of a 70's carbuncle and there is another manny building similar that needs razing to the ground, or it might have gone now, I can't remember.

[findingherfeet]

Well I love the place! We moved because we couldn't afford much more than a beach hut living in Brighton and I've met/know quite a lot of folk who've moved for same reason.

Lovely beach/parks...it's just easy with young children.

Night life/town centre on a Friday night is a bit hideous, mainly chain pubs but there are some nice restaurants and two fabulous cinemas!

You'll certainly find it much slower pace than London, there are some cool things going on...but I'm not sure about a 'buzz' (but you're close enough to brighton if you need some cool-ness)

[thesortingtwat]

My Mum lives in Worthing. It's grim. Really run down although I have noticed some regeneration this past year or so. Plus the A27 is a beast.

[Nancy66]

Worthing is one of those places that's supposedly been 'up and coming' for years now. Same as Hastings.

Neither place is going to 'arrive' though. Hastings because there's too big a drug/unemployment problem and Worthing because it's seen as a retirement town

[Summerisle1]

I wouldn't move to Worthing if you are looking for the equivalent of Brighton. Because the two places are totally different.

That said, I have friends who have bought houses in Worthing rather than Brighton because Worthing is more affordable. Although Worthing is cheaper for a reason.

I live 30 or so miles away. Personally I wouldn't want to move to London. But then I already live in a stupidly priced area that's been invaded by DFLs!

[Summerisle1]

Sorry...that should read "Personally, I wouldn't want to move to Worthing"!

[Rokenswife]

Hi!....please don't think of Worthing as anything like Brighton. I used to teach in a Worthing school and they aren't fantastic...I'd hardly call it 'up and coming'.
I popped into Worthing in the summer and Dave Benson Phillips of Get Your Own Back fame was busking next to the giant sand pit they erect every year. He was having sand thrown at him by the screeching chavs.
That's Worthing!

[loumaria]

hi, think i may have given the wrong impression as i'm def not looking for the equivalent of Brighton. If i move out of London i want a change of lifestyle. I'm a keen runner / outdoor type person and want somewhere the boys can be the same - i.e. outdoor life / sport / good facilities etc, so the proximity to the downs and the sea appeal.
Other than that looking for a decent area to raise them that is affordable.
I do like to go out sometimes but not looking for a buzzing nightlife and would be happy to travel to Brighton for that anyway.
I've seen Walthamstow really change in the last 10 years so feel if families are moving to Worthing now (as a cheaper alternative to Brighton) then gradually, hopefully, changes will occur there too? Guess it may be slower, or as some of you seem to think, may not happen as life is different on the south coast. Confused now!
Any suggestions on areas worth visiting with schools etc in mind? I've been told Broadwater as a priority.
Thanks for all your responses so far :)
ps - love the image of gate crashing oap's!!

[Brunhildafair]

My daughter and her husband live in Worthing. She commutes up to London 2 days a week and works the rest of the week in Hove. They love Worthing,over the last 3/4 years there has been a huge amount of investment in Worthing..and a lot more in the pipeline.After living in Fulham for 10 years she loves the fact that you can come home from work,walk down to the beach (5 mins) and have an evening swim. The sea is on one side and the South downs on the other...what's not to like?. Lots of good restaurants,new cinema complex planned,good shops and markets and plenty of things happening throughout the year. Worthing is not as expensive as Brighton,but has some very attractive properties. Lots of Brighton families moving up the coast,and a lot of London buyers who have seen the light and appreciate what Worthing has to offer . Talk in the future of a faster rail link to London.As far as I am aware the schools are generally good and some rated outstanding. Go down and spend some time there..I don't think you will be disappointed.

[EhricLovesTheBhrothers]

It's true that lots of families are moving to worthing from Brighton so there is some change in its character recently. Worthing is fine, nothing special but not dreadful. It has a nice beach, nice cinema and swimming pool. The A27 is indeed a beast.

[squatcher]

If it's outside space, proximity to the sea and Downs you want, you could do worse than looking at Eastbourne (similar retirement reputation as Worthing but it actually seems very good for young families). My brother and his family live there - good schools, great surroundings, and you get so much more for your money propertywise than in Brighton. Rubbish trains into London though. I wouldn't count on transport improvements happening any time soon. Links from the south coast to London actually seem to have deteriorated rather than improved over the years. And yes the A27 is just awful.

[SaucyJack]

It does sound as if Worthing would suit you then OP. We are spoilt for outdoorsiness here on the Sussex coast with both the beach and the Downs.

Just don't be expecting a buzzing, cosmopolitan nightlife cos that's what Worthing ain't.

[hamptoncourt]

Another one here who thinks what you are describing OP is Eastbourne, not Worthing.

[loumaria]

Okay, i'm def coming down to spend some time in Worthing - there are enough comments here to fill me with some optimism. I am a realist and know it will take time to adjust (i've spent my whole adult life in London) but I do love the idea of being near the sea and the downs and feel it would be a better life for the boys. Eastbourne is too far from my sister (she lives in Washington) and friends in Hove etc.
Need to check out schools/areas now.
Thanks for all your comments. First time i've used mumsnet x

[Kinnane]

List of schools in and around Worthing: www.findmyschool.co.uk/results.aspx?results.aspx?lea=West%20Sussex&cat=Primary%20Schools&town=Worthing

[hamptoncourt]

Washington is luffly!!

[Lambstales]

Worthing was dire about 10 years ago but has gradually improved. It's full of families from London's suburbs that don't want to live in Brighton. It also gets Brighton people that want more space and a less frenetic town once the DCs arrive.
There are decent schools.
Everywhere is easy to get to within the town. Commuting on the A27 is awful unless you get up at < 6am. The trains along the coast are every 20 minutes and you soon get to know the fast trains or, if you need, the trains to London that don't go into Brighton.
A few good bars have appeared in the past year, The Wandering Goose on the seafront near the pier and The Rocking Horse on Brighton Road to name just two.
I like Washington and we often nip up there on a Sunday(Franklands Arms) but don't be tempted by somewhere that is neither near the sea or the Downs like Durrington.

[Twotinygirls]

We moved to worthing from London via brighton and we love it. It's a great place for families and getting better all the time. It's small and cosy but with plenty going on. Best move we ever made and we wouldn't leave now, it's the place that felt the most like home to me (and I've lived in a lot of places) and I also think for the DC in the future that London and brighton and Chichester are all good universities and they won't be too far away ( sad I know)

[Twotinygirls]

Oh also we are in Broadwater and it's got everything you need but not too far from town either. I LOVE that I can walk everywhere.