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??

[2013go]

Feeling homesick!
Lovely place in so many ways-
High down gardens
Macaris!!
That nice park for kids on the beach with the coffee van
Walking along the beach all the way to ferring on a summer evening
The Dome
The Connaught
the library
Warwick street
Panto

Alas, the paddling pool has gone :(
And the Lido was turned into an abomination, but my kids don't know it used to be a glorious open air swimming pool

Sigh, walking over the bridge where the Lloyds clock used to tell me I was late to College

Shit bits: the A27, the Tories/UKIP

[Kinnane]

Ritz and Connaught Cinema.www.worthingtheatres.co.uk/films/

[NonnoMum]

The Children's Parade?

[anonpost]

Born and bred Worthing'ite here. Feeling a bit protective of our town seeing some of the negativity here! I couldn't live in the town centre, most of the beautiful houses have been made into bedsits, but Goring, Ferring, findon, high Salvington are all lovely. West Worthing is ok, not much going on but its only a short walk to the beach. A few recommendations:
Highdown tea rooms and gardens
The George carvery
Guiseppies Italian on Ann street
Black rabbit (ok, its Arundel but lovely sitting by the river with a nice lunch)
New swimming pool is fabulous for children
Beach park

Some facilities are in dire need of modernisation but look past the likes of teville gate and you'll find some gems.

Wondering how many of you are on Worthing directory?!

[MikeOxard]

How the actual fuck did you go to Worthing and not find a cafe? The town centre is huge, there are probably 100 cafes and restaurants. When you say West Worthing, did you go to Broadwater village centre, instead of Worthing town centre?

[MikeOxard]

Teville gate is about to undergo massive redevelopment as well. I saw some planning consultation and it's going to be fabulous.

[OHforDUCKScake]

I second Worthing being toss. I also second Brighton being brilliant. Portslade and shoreham (the latter more) are nice.

If you arent picky, you could live in Mouslcombe or White Hawk in brighton but they are 'rough' for want of a better word.

I never minded Moulscoombe myself though.

Im in Lewes, which is vair vair posh. And embarrassingly white, seriously Ive been here 2 years and it never fails to surprise me how uncultured this town is.

Ringmer is affordable and very lovely, please check that out its so, so much nicer than Worthing.

[EhricLovesTeamQhuay]

Are you really advising OP to live in moulsecoomb or white hawk over Worthing? Bonkers.

[EhricLovesTeamQhuay]

Anyway neither of those areas in brighton are significantly cheaper than the main town, if at all.

[GobbySadcase]

Good ol' Terry Garoghan.
I used to ring in and get put on air quite a bit.

[OHforDUCKScake]

To be fair Mouslcombe is just a crap area in an amazing city. Worthing is just one whole shit town.

Id far rather live in Mouslcoombe.

[GobbySadcase]

I think as far as the town centre goes its so unappealing. All concrete and dreary.

I do like a little strip of beach at Goring where there's a playground.

[youarewinning]

Chichester is conservative?

Its a very large place. Some parts are more conservative than others but it's also a university town so some bits aren't!
If you want nearer the beach try looking at Bognor Regis or Selsy.

[kennyp]

what is wrong with bexhill? i know rupert everett lambasted it in another country .... but 21 charity shops ticks every charity shop shaped box for me. fabulous scooter potential (if you are a kid that scooters)

pevensey bay? that is fairly dire but plonk on the seafront. i would move there tomorrow morning if i could.

am orgianlly from guildford and worthing always had bad press even in the 70s. heresay a go go.

[RichManPoorManBeggarmanThief]

Actually, reading this thread has made me reassess Worthing. There are probably not that many towns of 100,000 people that have the amenities Worthing has. I'm coming back to stay with my parents in a few weeks and this thread has given me some good ideas.

You can't compare Brighton with Worthing, in the same way that you can't say "Brighton's so shit because it's not as good as London". A lot of the little towns in the area are "lovelier" but dont have the amenities.

MikeOxard I wanna believe you about Teville Gate, I really do!!

[tankflybosswalkjamnittygritty]

Patcham here and it is lovely.

[Kinnane]

OP, Denton Lounge (overlooking the beach) for sitting outside while you work :) - overlooking the beach.

[TooMuchRain]

Souunds perfect, thanks Kinnane!

[Helenagrace]

We moved to West Worthing six months ago. There are loads of family friendly cafes and events.

The town centre is grim - but I rarely go there. West Worthing and Goring have fantastic local shops.

There's plenty of water sports and culture. Last night we listened to a Worthing orchestra - £3 for a child ticket! There's an art trail round local artists' houses next weekend. There are several theatres and independent cinemas.

It's flat and easy to cycle, public transport is easy, the beach is never crowded, schools on the whole are good, the town has so much going for it.

We even have a boutique bakery ... whatever that is

[springtide]

Glass of wine on the beach at Coast
Dog walk from Goring Gap for breakfast at Bluebird Cafe
Plenty of youth groups/scouts etc for those that look
Splashpoint Leisure Centre
West Worthing Squash and Tennis Club - friendly and welcoming for adults and children
Ok there are some tatty areas but look beyond that and you may be pleasantly surprised. We moved here 15 years ago from London. A town is only what you make it - sit round moaning and it will be dull and your kids will be bored. Get involved,, be positive and enjoy what is on offer.
Ps in Brighton today - the streets were filthy and I witnessed an extremely agressive arguement between two drivers - happy to return home to our sleepy town!

[springtide]

...forgot Green Cuisine - fantastic cafe in West Worthing. Check out their website - has its own book group, kids arts and crafts, and cooking, etc. For more positive things sign up to the Sunny Worthing Facebook page.

[Goldenbear]

My DP wants us to move to Worthing as we are currently in Brighton but can afford to buy a house here, mostly because I'm a SAHM. I'm not really convinced by the area snymore, i'm growing to despise Brighton. I live near Preston Park station and my son goes to a school that is very hard to get into but I just find the whole place overrated, overpriced and pretentious.

I moved to Brighton 10 years ago and we brought up our son on the Hove/Brighton border but it did seem to live up to the whole 'London by the Sea' thing then. I just has this south coast depressing, shoddy town vibe going on now. To me the value isn't there anymore and my DP who is an Architect feels the houses in Brighton are being overvalued - at the end of the day it is still an hour's commute to London. The property prices are hugely inflated and not sustainable this is why pe