Is it nice living in Chichester?

[NewLifeInTheSouth]

We are hoping to relocate to somewhere near the south coast and are going on a reccy around Chichester soon. It doesn't have to be West Sussex, we will look at East Sussex, parts of Kent and Hampshire as well, but for various reasons West Sussex looks like it will work best for us. Can anyone recommend any other areas to look please? And where to avoid? Budget will be about 750k for 3 or 4 beds, don't want a massive garden, a good location is key.

We don't want anywhere too sleepy or rural, we definitely don't want to live in Brighton but want suggestions of places to look that are lovely, with plenty going on. Schools not an issue, neither is commuting.

TIA

I live between Chichester and Arundel and both are lovely, Chichester is expensive house wise as is Arundel, but I love the fact that you have sailing and the South downs so close by, it's the best of both worlds. Chichester is a lovely historic market town with a Cathedral worth visiting, yes the roads in and out are busy but most places are these days. If you choose Witterings (Kate Winslet has a house there and gave birth at St Richards) it can get very busy in the Summer, and the sailing villages of Bosham, Shipton Green and West Itchenor are pretty expensive. If you head north of the city then there are some beautiful downs villages such as Lavant, Charlton, Singleton, (Repair Shop!) West Dean, East Dean, Chilgrove, Stoughton and West Stoke which are close to Goodwood too.

I love Chichester, particularly West Dean. if practical for you, I'd so live there.

Sad to hear there's loads of building. If I can ever afford to live there, will places like West Dean be drastically different, I wonder?

I don't think anywhere is safe from development these days...

@Teddy1970

I don't think anywhere is safe from development these days...

No, nowhere is safe. I just thought maybe there'd be less around West Dean due to lovely green space.

So sad.

I think that West Dean and places in the National Park are as 'safe' as they can be, as the planning restrictions are much higher for the Park. Most of the building is below the Park.

I still think Chichester is worth a look. It does have the things you want, it's just a town so has downsides like anywhere! The good thing is that for your budget you'd be able to get off-road parking in one of the wider roads. The parking in narrow roads of terraces was what really put me off.

If you were coming down to do a recce, come for a few days as there are lots of places to visit in each direction and it would be a good central base. Don't come on Goodwood Festival of Speed weekend - prices double everywhere for accommodation etc.

@beachyhead

I think that West Dean and places in the National Park are as 'safe' as they can be, as the planning restrictions are much higher for the Park. Most of the building is below the Park.

Yes. It’s where we are roughly. Most planning applications are rejected by local communities and by local or national park authorities. Chichester itself has an amount of development going on at the moment but further out into the villages, the development is blocked.

A £750K budget won’t easily buy you a 3/4 bed property near here though. A q quick look on Rightmove shows no houses under £850 within 3 miles of us.

Look at Rowland’s Castle too. Good community. Village feel. Nice pubs. A couple of shops. Direct London, Guildford and Portsmouth trains.

I lived the first 18 years of my life in Horsham then moved to the south coast. When I met my OH I moved to Chichester to live with him and I loved it there.
We moved a few years ago to be nearer to my children and grandchildren but I still love Chichester and visit regularly. For me it's a perfect balance - it has character but also everything you need. It is a city but you don't get the crowds you normally have in a city and it has retained a number of independent shops. Also we used to be able to walk or cycle out yo the countryside from our front door within a few minutes. There's a theatre, some lovely restaurants, a beautiful canal walk - everything is within walking distance.
In the end, home is where your friends and family are, but, that aside, I would move back to Chichester in a heartbeat.

@NewLifeInTheSouth Did you make the move in the end? Wondering what you thought as we are also looking to relocate round Chichester area and within 5 miles

My advice - look at Petersfield or midhurst

I love Chichester it's my home city .

How about Southsea? Its part of Portsmouth but is a distinctive separate area with its own 'vibe' - lots of independent shops, pubs restaurants. Lovely beach front with Common, pier. And Portsmouth university which I always think makes a place better - lots of students and also lots of academic staff etc in the area.

Its compact and 'walkable' and Fratton station is nearby - Chichester and Southampton (both 30 mins by train) easy to get to, London in 1 hr 30. Theatres in Southsea itself but also Portsmouth and Chichester etc. And ferries to France, Spain and the Isle of Wight. What more could you want!

We moved here about five years ago from London and love it. Your money goes further than in Chichester. For £700,000 you can get a four or five bedroom terrace house within 5 walk of the beach.

D'oh just realised this is from 2021 - hopefully the OP has moved by now!