Moving to West Sussex - Advice please

[Telford]

Hello everyone,

We are moving from the West Country to West Sussex and currently researching areas.

We would love to live in Brighton but house prices are out of our range, so as close to would be nice.

What are the surrounding towns like, from Worthing to Peacehaven and all thats inbetween and north of Brighton?

I would have to commute to Brighton Hospital daily, by train ideally.

Im interested in your opinions on nice areas, areas to aviod, good schools and anything else you can offer us :)

Thank you so much in advance!

hi telford

can you give us an idea of your budget and what you need to get for that? some areas of brighton and hove are cheaper. we moved down from the midlands so had the shock about how much less you can get for your money!

Hi, we lived in Hove until DS2 and after a long search, realised Worthing could offer us the space we couldn't afford in Hove. Also good schools, better beach, and more relaxed environment. Thoroughly recommend Worthing, and easy on the train (20 mins), although you'd need to get a bus from Brighton station to the hospital. Good luck!

Hi rachelstephens - Of course, we'd be looking for a 3 bedroom with a garden, approx 220k, realise this doesn't go far in Brighton!

Hi jollyboysmum - Thank you for your reply, thats helpful. Im sure like all areas there are the good parts and the bad parts. In your opinion where would the nice areas be (and also the ones to avoid!).

hi telford

you might be able to get a house for that in areas of portslade/southwick - both on the train line into town. we moved from fiveways where we rented to a house on the edge of the "hangleton" area. we wanted a good sized garden and off-road parking and just couldn't afford that in fiveways. further into hangleton houses can be quite a good price. people can be a bit snobby about it but we love it here, good schools (including an outstanding infant school), good bus links into town etc. i don't live in worthing but i work there and there are always lots of mums with buggies etc. we rented for a year which although expensive was a good move as it meant we had time to work out which area we could afford and which areas were affordable for us,.

i don't know peacehaven apart from to drive through. it always looks very depressing, lots of bungalows and lots of wind from the sea but as i don't live there i am sure i am being unfair. i know they have built a new build estate with some nice looking houses there so i am sure there are lots of families there.

good luck anyway, hope you find something

ps - dean and co are a good estate agency in the hangleton/portslade area. Les runs it and is really helpful and has worked round here for years so he might be able to give you some tips as to which areas get you what for your money

Personally I'd avoid Bevendean/Moulsecoomb, it's the worst part of Brighton. I would also suggest Worthing, Shoreham or Portslade/Southwick.

I live in lancing which is between worthing and shoreham having moved from surrey about 13 years ago. You could get a nice 3 bed with garden for 220k here. There are decent schools within close travel distance, only 10 miles from brighton with direct trains and buses. Plenty of open spaces, good sporting facilities, local shops and parks. Avoid the tower road area but otherwise fine.

I wouldn't go east of brighton for the same reasons already given, nor would i look at Bevendean/Moulsecoomb as they can be quite rough. i would also avoid the durrington area of worthing.

Shoreham is nice but 220k probably wont buy a house near the station. Portslade and southwick are a mix of nicer and not so nice areas but you should find something in your budget.

I'm in Hassocks - village to the north of Brighton just the other side of the Downs. 15 mins train ride with regular trains into Brighton and also a bus to the Royal Sussex if that is where you'll be working.

Worth looking at if you fancy a slightly more rural existence (but not really too country - big Tesco and Waitrose 5 mins away in Burgess Hill and super close to Brighton, plus lots of shops in village, good schools, lots of community stuff going on). Lots of escapees from Brighton and Hove here as well as people from London like me.

How about this house in Hassocks? www.zoopla.co.uk/for-sale/details/13456826?search_identifier=0cf2e14cf68c5eb3051cb7354bb6fad0

Ha! You are the first person I have seen on here who lives in the same place as me cantspel

I really like Lancing, moved here from Brighton some years. I came on this thread though expecting someone to say 'avoid Lancing' because I have heard people being a bit snobby about it in the past

Shoreham is also lovely, though more pricey. I'd avoid the other side of Brighton aswell, no train lines along the coast.

I live in Lancing too.

I didn't think Lancing had any other Mners

Wow thanks so much for your replies proving very helpful indeed :)

We will be coming over for a good look around next month and will definately check out all of your suggestions so far (Worthing, Shoreham, Portslade, Southwick, Lancing & Hassocks).

We are very excited about the prospect of buying a house in West Sussex, good schools will definitely be a very important factor as will the ability to commute to Brighton Hospital with ease.

Very happy to accept more info and advice!!

Doyouthinktheysaurus I moved to lancing knowing nothing about the place but it was the best decision i have ever made and we love it. It is the only place i have ever lived that still has a community feel to it.
I love the fact that we still have our own christmas fayre and the bank holiday markets on beach green and that people talk to others at the checkout in asda.

I live in one of the avenues and have 2 teenage boys. Does that ring a bell with anyone you know?