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Original poster

Worthing

64 replies

loumaria · 10/10/2014 12:01

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

OP posts:
Original poster
loumaria · 10/10/2014 15:32

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!!

OP posts:
Rokenswife · 10/10/2014 15:04

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!

Summerisle1 · 10/10/2014 14:52

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

Summerisle1 · 10/10/2014 14:51

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!

Nancy66 · 10/10/2014 14:50

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

thesortingtwat · 10/10/2014 14:47

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.

findingherfeet · 10/10/2014 14:45

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)

Doyouthinktheysaurus · 10/10/2014 14:35

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.

Original poster
loumaria · 10/10/2014 14:29

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?!

OP posts:
ShesAnEasyWuffer · 10/10/2014 13:06

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.

theparadoxofourage · 10/10/2014 13:03

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

theparadoxofourage · 10/10/2014 13:01

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.

SaucyJack · 10/10/2014 12:10

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.

KingJoffreysBloodshotEye · 10/10/2014 12:07

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.