to be really disappointed after visiting worthing today? (say yes!)

[TooMuchRain]

In September we will be moving to near Brighton (can't afford actual Brighton unfortunately) and I was getting quite excited about Worthing until we went to visit today... it just felt a bit run down and I couldn't see what we would do there - no independent cinema, not much by way of watersports and stupid things like we couldn't find a naice cafe in west worthing (where we were house-hunting)

So, can you tell me if IABU and we stupidly missed the great bits or if I am looking at the wrong town??

[SirBoobAlot]

Worthing has grown on me after a few visits.

Nowhere except Brighton will ever be Brighton, however. At least Worthing is only 20 minutes train journey away from Brighton.

[Meerkatwhiskers]

BTW i'm going down to the seaside (probably Worthing) to get fish n chips by the sea for my tea mmmmm

[Tortington]

Most pubs that sell food are child friendly IMo, The charles Dickens on Heene road is lovely. the unequivocal holder of the best pint i have ever tasted in my entire life. child friendly, nice garden. (food average)
Gun Inn findon
HIghdown gardens tea rooms
all the carvery pubs
Not been in the mulberry for ages, but huge garden with climbing frame i seem to remember
that pub - the name of which i can't remember, if you were driving from arundel to worthing on the A27 before you come up the hill ( where the speed camera is on the opposite side)

also nice little cafe Kar'ben
fab turkish restaurant called Efes
Casa Ciro - nice italian
Tex Mex - fab mexican
OM - The absolute best curry in Worthing - Nepalese
Royal Spice - best takeaway curry v. friendly.
Pomodorro & Mozzerella - best pizza fecking huge

[Tortington]

and we have a toni & guy for that overly priced yummy mummy bob

[MakeItUpAsYouGoAlong]

Custardo- the woodmans?

[Tortington]

That's the one - haven't been for ages though

[Tortington]

i should work for these

[MakeItUpAsYouGoAlong]

Heehee I like the other Mexican on montage street can't remember the name

[Twiceover]

Thanks Custardo, will have to do a tour

[Domaby]

If you want the coast then Shoreham is the nicest (Worthing has got quite run down and definitely don't even look at Lancing,on it's awful). Some of the villages and towns on the Downs are nice, but quiet. I grew up in Steyning. It's on the Downs and a few miles north of Shoreham. It's very nice but a bit dull - no station, only a few shops etc.

[Tortington]

tex mex this is the one i mean

[Tortington]

or this one makitup

I won;t go into liming as i thought the staff rude the first time i went in - amd i'm very pincipled :)

what - with all the shops that have opted in to workfare that i am also boycotting, it's a wonder i can shop anywhere at all!

[cantspel]

The Bull in Goring is a lovely pub, nice garden and real fireplaces in winter. Next door to Bull Park which has just had the whole children play area refitted.
The George at the top of George V avenue is a decent carvery.
The Mulberry as already said has a great garden for children.
Sea lane cafe right on the sea front is lovely and there is a children play area along the same stretch of beach.

Ok the main shopping are is not great but it has a good mix of shops for most things you are going to want on a day to day basis and the guildbourne butchers is great for stocking the freezer with decent meat at a decent price.

[MakeItUpAsYouGoAlong]

That's it the tex mex thank you!
I got really poorly from liming once so won't go

[cheerup]

Yeah what a crummy place. Nice seafront, local primary schools that you might actually get your child into, reasonable house prices, good hospital, a mix of people from all earnings brackets in each area (except maybe parts of Durrington), a fantastic new leisure centre owned by the borough that doesn't cost an arm and a leg, flat and brilliant for cycling, fish from the channel for sale from boats on the beach most weekends in summer and a beach that isn't packed with daytrippers at the first sign of sun.

We really shouldn't compare ourselves with the City down the road with it's massive drug problem, areas which are effectively ghettos (I don't suppose you considered Moulscombe or Whitehawk when you were house hunting did you?), heaving seafront and beach and general air of threat in certain parts of the city centre at night.

OP, I really think you should stretch your budget and try to get somewhere in Brighton unless there is anywhere further you might like. We're quite happy here but you obviously have different priorities. Naice cafes and the like.

[cheerup]

Actually Lewes would probably be perfect for you.

[Dumbledoresgirl]

The best thing to come out of Worthing was my son who was born there.

I didn't think it was particularly a retirement town - it didn't feel like Eastbourne to me - but it certainly was a shabby soulless place last time I was there (8 years ago now).

Why the need to live right on the coast? We lived in a village near Steyning (Steyning was our preferred location but our house purchase there fell through) and the beach at Shoreham, the town centres of Horsham, Haywards Heath and Brighton, even the 'delights' of Worthing were maximum 20 mins drive away. Our village was a gorgeous place to live: very friendly, very vibrant community, not at all snobby or exclusive. I miss it hugely even 8 years on.

If I were you, I would have a look slightly inland. The coast is not Sussex's finest feature imo.

[TooMuchRain]

Cheerup, I'm sorry if you feel offended but you are missing the point - the reason I was excited by Worthing was because it fitted all the priorities, but then, when we visited, I found the centre a bit depressed/depressing. I said in my OP that not finding a cafe was one of the 'stupid things' that got to me - though I'd like to identify a good one because I like to spend an hour or two working outside the house so I am less distracted by the cleaning etc.

But anyway, now I have plenty to try thanks to people here

[ukatlast]

A relative of mine moved to Shoreham and I was surprised how cute the historic centre was and it is practically Brighton.

[Kinnane]

Worthing Library www.westsussex.gov.uk/leisure/libraries/find_a_library/worthing_library.aspx

Worthing Museum and Art Gallery www.worthingmuseum.co.uk/

Splashpoint Leisure Centre, Worthing's brand new swimming, fitness and leisure complex.
www.worthingleisure.co.uk/splashpoint/

www.worthingtowncentre.co.uk/shopping.htm?sort=bname&rid=33&letteru=A

www.visitworthing.co.uk/what-to-do/shopping

[Twotinygirls]

I live in Worthing with two small children and we love it.

Moved here from Brighton, more affordable, less busy, fewer wanky types.

The town is a but tatty but has everything you need, the new leisure centre is fab and the two new playgrounds on seafront are good too.

Worthing needs more families and younger people to move here to help it get a bit more 'modern'?? There is quite a strong presence of ukip and similar which isn't great.

But there are plenty of good schools and loads of family's. we live in Boadwater and its really nice and friendly, I've lived in many places and feel more at home here than anywhere.

Unless we have a lottery win we won't be going anywhere.

[TSSDNCOP]

Think of the things you can do that 99.99% of residents cannot e.g

Skip
Eat a raw carrot
Roller blade
Eat an apple
Read small font
See ships on the horizon

Feeling lucky now

[NonnoMum]

bump

[EhricLovesTeamQhuay]

Custardo
Where are the other two cinemas? I've only ever found the dome! (Which I love)
Worthing is fine. I live along the road in north lancing which is also nice. I would live in west Worthing very happily.