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Original poster

LITTLEHAMPTON - What do I need to know?

26 replies

woolymindy · 09/01/2011 07:47

Still trying to find somewhere to live and Littlehampton is becoming a possibility.

I have been there, we live about 11 miles away I know it has some bad bits, I also know it has had some investment but what do I need to know. Where do I need to go? and where do I need to avoid. Which of the Catholic schools is the better?

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Original poster
woolymindy · 09/01/2011 08:21

..........

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Original poster
woolymindy · 09/01/2011 13:39

surely someone must live there or near..

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odetothewestwing · 09/01/2011 18:19

Don't know it at all really (sorry - not v helpful!) but bumping for you. We live not so far away and visited Littlehampton for the first time today by accident! Was not impressed with the town centre - but the sea front is lovely with lots of green space, a lovely cafe/restaurant plus take-away coffee place and nice playpark. We had a great afternoon there with the dcs. I'm sure it must be worth a look - hopefully someone with more knowledge will be along soon to advise Smile

elsiemarley · 09/01/2011 22:17

I'm not sure, I used to know it years ago, the town is very small, if you have/will have teenagers they probably will complain that they don't have much to do and the good schools collages are a train ride away (the train line is a dead end so it always used to be a PITA to travel to and from).

There is a very good catholic school in Barnham, it may even be the one for the area, I'm not sure. I also seem to remember a catholic primary in Arundel.

Are there any other towns you have looked at? Sometimes I find that comparing a couple of places is easier.

reallywoundup · 09/01/2011 22:42

dear god, run like the wind, i grew up there and until recently my parents lived there... we all escaped Wink
I am terrified of the place now, the wick estates are the scariest place known to man outside inner london, beaumont is like god's waiting room and the new 'academy' (where dmum unfortunatly has worked through he many changes of the last 30 years) is truely awful!
What about rustington/angmering area, just outside 'LA' (as known to the locals Hmm) it all becomes habitable again!

SlowComfortableShrew · 09/01/2011 22:48

S'alright. A bit nowhere ville

Original poster
woolymindy · 10/01/2011 08:09

OK, by way of an update, we went for a look see yesterday and we were all pleasantly surprised: the town centre was small and it had a Wimpy (we had a retro burger to celebrate) and the beaches were really fantastic.

The thing is we live near Chichester and we need a large house, with 4 DC's and possibly another at some point and we just cannot afford to buy here. We have looked at Kent and at Hastings area which we love but it means not only us moving but moving DH's Dad which will be a problem as he has a good package of care from the Social Services here and with all the cuts it probably would be reduced etc etc. I also have aged and bonkers nana.....

Littlehampton was a shitpit (sorry to anyone who lived there) years ago but it has had a a huge investment around the harbour zillions of new homes. It 'felt' very different than I remember and crucially we can afford a big house there..... dunno still mulling over

Ant other tips would be great

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Sinkingfeeling · 10/01/2011 13:14

Probably not much help - but BIL & SIL live in Littlehampton, with 3 dcs. They reckoned their primary school was great, but have sent two oldest dcs a fair distance for secondary. One is at St Philip Howard and the other at Bishop Luffa. I think they were exceptionally lucky to get their dc2 into BL as they're on the very furthest edge of catchement, but both went there themselves and are very happy with it. Sorry can't help more - don't live in Sussex, though the in-laws do!

reallywoundup · 10/01/2011 13:42

Flora McDonald used to be 'the' primary school (years ago, not sure about now), aren't the new houses on the harbour pricey and titchy?? better value around East Ham Rd, Clun Road etc (and a bit of character about then iyswim) Dparents now live in Fontwell so not far from you probs!

I'll admit i used to spend time in the LA wimpy, if i ever have the misfortune to end up there now i head for the wetherspoons next door Wink

There's also some lovely old houses down near the seafront although i'm guessing most of the larger ones have been broken up into flats now Sad behind the leisure centre (hotham park iirc??) are supposed to be nice too.

Providing you don't have to use the 'academy' i can see why you'd think of littlehampton, if there is any danger of having to send the kids there though i'd re-think. Mum wouldn't send a dog to the school these days, literacy and numeracy is appalling and any 'promising' kids aren't given the attention they deserve because they aren't throwing tantrums and causing mayhem!

Good luck, have you looked around the Bognor area? again some good solid houses for reasonable prices, and closer to the better schools.

hophophippidtyhop · 10/01/2011 20:16

I recently moved from Yapton, a village a few miles outside Littlehampton, couple of miles from Barnham. The 'six villages' (these two plus eastergate, westergate, Aldingbourne and walbeton) are good prices, except walberton. There's not alot for older children though, I would say. I have moved to Selsey, which has some good priced housing. Chichester has become very expensive in the last few years. The senior school in Selsey is not supposed to be that great, but my dd's are 3yo and 6 months, so I figure if it's not better by then I'll send them to chichester. You could also try emsworth/westbourne/southbourne for cheaper houses. I moved to Selsey as it has a bit more going on than in the village I was in, plus living by the sea was a big pull. Hope that helps, I spend too much time on right move!

Original poster
woolymindy · 12/01/2011 21:30

Thanks to everyone who has offered info - we do actually live in one of the villages outside Chichester (one of the 'bournes) and no, we cannot afford to buy something big enough. We have booked to see a house on Saturday in Littlehampton (in a road named by a Mumsnetter!) and by then I should have been able to organise looking at at least one other we are really really interested in.

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reallywoundup · 13/01/2011 09:12

Ohh, good luck, let us know how you go!

Original poster
woolymindy · 16/01/2011 09:18

Just to let you know we did actually see the ideal/dream property yesterday and are going back today for a second view. We are going to make an offer but not holding out much hope as there was a HUGE interest in it as it has a cracking view... Wish me luck ladies

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reallywoundup · 16/01/2011 21:27

come on... spill... where is it, rightmove link etc etc Wink inbox me if you want it private but i'm intigued as to a property in LA being worthy of such excitement Wink hope it goes well, and remember interest doesn't always equal offers!

Original poster
woolymindy · 16/01/2011 21:34

ok i have pmed you with the link - ooh the view makes a good house great (even in littlehampton)- had a second viewing today and is tatty but sound (i hope)

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reallywoundup · 16/01/2011 22:06

thanks for that, the kitchen looks... interesting! nice units but somehow not in a straight line?? can't believe the value you are getting for your money down there, although i always hankered after the Willowhayne est in Angmering!!
i really hope you get somewhere with your offer, it may be a bit tatty round the edges but it is totally liveable from day 1.

Original poster
woolymindy · 16/01/2011 22:10

agree about the liveability and is crooked because it is in a crescent - all the houses are crooked at some point but the angle of that photo makes it look dreadful - i have to say the pics do not do it justice but the is a hefty dollop or artex and woodchip too....

We are offering tomorrow

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woolymindy · 16/01/2011 22:12

Just to be clear - me saying is tatty is a bargaining device - I would be as happy as Larry just as it is - has new double glazing and is centrally heated but has 3 bathrooms and 4 loos which are all oldish but completely fine as far as i am concerned.

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beachyhead · 16/01/2011 22:12

I guess you've got to look at the secondary schools. I live near Chichester and near the Bournes and the Bourne school is doing well at the moment as is Bishop Luffa if you can get in there. The problem with Littlehampton is there is not much else around there so if the schools aren't that great and the kids have to travel, all there mates will be further away. Have you checked the Felpham and Bognor school results....

reallywoundup · 16/01/2011 22:17

double glazing is a massive expense so good it already has it, compared to the house next door it looks nice and tidy from the outside. The agents seem a tad 'unusual' is it a repo? is it with any local agents too?

Original poster
woolymindy · 16/01/2011 22:38

no not a repo - well she says not.... a very interesting choice of agent rather unhelpfully based in Lancashire! - next door is mess agreed, another reason to knock a few quid or two off eh?

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woolymindy · 16/01/2011 22:40

We are going for St Philip Howard school as DD's are currently in Catholic school - or Bishop Luffa as we do go to church, maybe not enough though

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reallywoundup · 16/01/2011 22:46

the agent may go in your favour, it would probably put a fair few people off "selling houses quickly" etc, i think its a great investment, with a bit of love and time it'll be a lovely family home. Are you going to evict the gnomes from the garden???

and good choice on steering well clear of the Academy Smile

Original poster
woolymindy · 16/01/2011 22:58

not only the gnomes but the plastic flowers and the paving - we too think a good investment

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IntergalacticHussy · 19/01/2011 10:37

i got stranded in Littlehampton once. missed the last train back to London. had to hunt around for a b&b. yes the harbour area is picturesque but no way would i live there. in fact i wouldn't live in any seaside village, ever again (once we move from where we are at the moment)

The sea isn't much company on a cold blowy day in January with two whinging kids and nowhere to go, trust me.