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Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Come talk to me about Chichester and the surrounds!

12 replies

Fraida · 21/03/2022 09:54

We are hoping to move to the Chichester/West Sussex area in time for the new school term in September, I will have a child going in to year 7 and another one in to year 9. What schools should we avoid and what would be ok both in and around/nearish the city? Bearing in mind schools in this area seem to be over-subscribed.

Likewise for places to live - where should we avoid and where is nice :)

OP posts:
RedScarfJamjar · 21/03/2022 10:11

I'd be managing your expectations on finding somewhere quickly, the market here is insane. We've had to move to an air bnb just to be close enough to pounce on things the moment they hit the market.

I've got friends with children in Luffa which is nice, pastoral team are very good also. My daughter and niece went to Chi High before the two schools merged and hated it, but my nephew absolutely loves it and is thriving, quite a young and enthusiastic staff there. Can't speak to the free school as don't know anyone who goes there. Midhurst Rother was an option for my daughter as it was very new and state of the art when it opened, had a tricky first few years but seems to have come back fighting and now rated excellent I believe.

Chichester itself is lovely but be prepared to spend inordinate amounts of time trapped on the A27 if your children need taking to clubs! Learn your 'rat runs' down the farm roads to avoid spending your life in gridlock once the season opens properly for Selsey, Bognor and the Witterings and during festival of speed get your shopping in on the Wednesday and don't leave the house until its over!

Emsworth and Nutbourne are both little gems with brilliant transport links to Chichester, North Mundham is lovely with a nice community, Lavant very popular but very expensive. It depends on your budget really.

Fraida · 21/03/2022 18:38

@RedScarfJamjar thank you :) We did a drive along the 'bourne road and the villages do seem lovely. Do you know what Bourne Community College is like?

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JohnStonesMissus · 21/03/2022 18:55

Chichester is lovely but blinking expensive! I live near Arundel (which is just as pricey) the housing market has gone insane in West Sussex, it's ridiculous, however there are lovely downland villages North of the city, such as West Ashling, Singleton, Funtington, East Dean, Charlton, Walderton, Strettington and many more, the sailing villages to the south are pretty but pricey such as West Itchenor and Shipton Green but you'd have Kate Winslett as a neighbour over in West Wittering! The areas that are not quite so nice are Shopwhyke and houses near the hospital, they're okayish, just not as nice as the other other places.

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RedScarfJamjar · 21/03/2022 20:28

I don't know anyone at the college as we were until recently over the other side of Chichester. You've also got PGS with good transport links if your two are academic and or sporty.

Foxyloxy1plus1 · 21/03/2022 20:41

The centre is pedestrianised, but many shops have closed. To be fair, it began before the pandemic, but the last two years have accelerated it.

There are back routes into Chichester, so you can spend less time on the A27. The area in general is lovely though. Bosham, Emsworth, Halnaker, lovely walks and the South Downs nearby.

ElizabethinherGermanGarden · 21/03/2022 21:08

Bourne Community has just been inspected and graded Good (which covers a big range).

Fraida · 21/03/2022 21:52

@JohnStonesMissus thank you! When you say not as nice do you mean just dull looking rather than dodgy? I don't mind a dull looking house but don't want to be in a dodgy area :D

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JohnStonesMissus · 21/03/2022 22:20

[quote Fraida]@JohnStonesMissus thank you! When you say not as nice do you mean just dull looking rather than dodgy? I don't mind a dull looking house but don't want to be in a dodgy area :D[/quote]
Yes Shopwhyke is a bit meh rather than dodgy..

Novium · 21/03/2022 22:54

The area immediately to the north of the hospital is quite mixed, lots of rentals as you might expect and it can be a bit rough. The Keepers Green development a bit further north looks nice though.

What’s your budget? Things have gone a bit bananas in the last few months so a new build might be a solution?

The area to the south of the A27 is nice enough, but you’ll be a bit stranded there. The new Shopwyke Lakes development is quite disconnected from the city.

Westhampnett houses are better value but are mostly on Goodwood land and can be leasehold, so always worth checking.

Big new developments currently going up on the Old Broyle Road to the west of the city.

Bishop Luffa school has good reviews, but it’s CofE so that’s a consideration. Midhurst Rother is good but if you’re south of Lavant you’ll be out of catchment, but they do take out of zone applications. I’ve noticed that Chi High is considered in the lower band of UK secondary schools for some contextual uni offers, they merged the outstanding Girls High with the very middling Boys High a few years ago. The Free School has attractive new premises south of the A27 but no sixth form. Chi College does a mix of A levels and vocational courses.

A27 traffic is pretty bad all year round, and the road down to the Witterings in the summer can be gridlocked. Goodwood circuit event traffic isn’t generally too bad, but if you’re on the approach roads it will be very busy (3 weekends a year).

City centre has a few empty shops (House of Fraser shut down a couple of years ago and is still empty, it’s an awkward old building to reuse) but there’s a good range of shops and restaurants and a new branch of The Ivy is opening shortly. Portsmouth and Southampton or even Guildford aren’t too far away for bigger shopping trips.

Big plus is the fabulous countryside - the Downs to the north and the coast to the south. Gatwick is an hour by car or train (train to London is slow though) and ferry ports aren’t too far away.

And it’s warm and sunny on the whole.

Ozgirl75 · 21/03/2022 23:56

I grew up around there and there are basically no bad areas, it’s lovely around that whole area.

cominghomefinally · 14/03/2023 02:49

Hi @Fraida I was interested to know if you did this move and where you landed on location? I’m looking in the same area to relocate my family from Australia to be closer to my parents again… would love to know how you’ve gone and any insights and advice on the area/schools…
I love all the sound of the villages around Chichester Harbour and the witherings (we live by the beach now so I’m trying to find somewhere with a somewhat similar lifestyle potentially!) But also Arundel, and perhaps Chichester itself. We are visiting in April to check the areas out. Any info would be so so great. Thanks in advance.

JohnStonesMissus · 14/03/2023 18:45

cominghomefinally · 14/03/2023 02:49

Hi @Fraida I was interested to know if you did this move and where you landed on location? I’m looking in the same area to relocate my family from Australia to be closer to my parents again… would love to know how you’ve gone and any insights and advice on the area/schools…
I love all the sound of the villages around Chichester Harbour and the witherings (we live by the beach now so I’m trying to find somewhere with a somewhat similar lifestyle potentially!) But also Arundel, and perhaps Chichester itself. We are visiting in April to check the areas out. Any info would be so so great. Thanks in advance.

I'm not Fraida but I live near Arundel and visit Chichester often, so I know the area well. let me know if you have any questions!

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