What's it like to live in Chichester

[Poppyshouse]

Just that really.

Would you consider living in Chichester or, in case you already do, how do you rate it?

Where are the good areas, where are the bad?

What are the secondary schools like?

Would appreciate any info that would be useful for someone considering a move there.

Bumping this as I'm interested too. I'm not bothered about schools personally, but when I was there recently I was very impressed by how many well behaved youngsters I saw in their uniforms around the town.

Don't know about you, Poppyhouse, but I'm getting the impression that Chichester might be a bit boring.

Chichester is lovely to visit with loads of shops, cafes and historic sites but I have no idea what it is like to live there.

I lived in Chichester for 1 year it was my second house job after med school... Was very nice cafe culture, nice parks to run in, great theatre nice shops....

It's not too far from Brighton which I love, London and best of all the sea! ( Worthing and Southampton) also close to national park new forest which is great for camping...

It's an affluent area I did GP there and met some interesting wealthy patients and often had home visits to nice big country houses

I dont know much about schools but imagine they are good

Thanks treesntrees, Blackeyez09 and rustyrailings.

And rustyrailings, I hope Chichester is not too boring ;-) Maybe someone else knows a bit more?

I grew up there- ageing population, largely MC and reasonably well off, nice parks, decent shopping, West Wittering beach and Goodwood/South Downs close by, good access to London and Brighton for day trips. Bit boring as a teen, probably a nice place to raise kids- but expensive I imagine. My mum's 4 bed is worth c.600k I think....

Secondary- excellent but VERY over subscribed C of E school, decent single sex schools and Catholic school- harder to find a good mixed secular state school close by.

What else can I tell you?!

As said upthread the theatre is excellent, and there's also a retail park type place with cineworld plus bowling, as well as an independent cinema.

I live in Chichester - moved here from London just over 2 years ago. Wouldn't call it boring although you do need a car to make the most of the area. As above, theatre is great - gets some really good touring productions. I love being so close to the beach, very quick and easy drive on a weekend. City centre has good mix of independent and chain stores. Can't comment on teens as mine are both pre-schoolers at the moment, but for them it's a lovely place for them to grow up, loads of nice parks and feels a very safe sort of place. Nightlife is odd, maybe I'm missing a trick but when I have ventured into the centre on a Saturday night (not very often, granted), the streets are eerily quiet but then the restaurants are relatively full and lively, it's odd.

Areas to avoid would be the Whyke Estate and the new build are just behind the hospital. The sought after area tends to be the north and within the city walls.

I'm considering moving out as I'm renting. House prices are ridiculous, you get so much more for your money not so far away in say some of the villages just outside of Bognor. But that's Bognor...not sure how that would go down with teens....

I think it's pretty much said if you are looking for a great nightlife it's a no I'm afraid... don't think there is much in terms of clubbing and nightlife....

but if you want good schools cafe culture and generally nice area to raise kids then that's it but it'll cost you!

Thanks Oxtail and Blackeyez09.

Oxtail Could you please give a bit more info about the places to avoid? This would be really useful as it's so difficult to get a real sense of what an area is really like when you drive through and not live there.

TIA

Hi Poppyshouse - I know what you mean, I moved down and didn't have the first clue.

To expand on my previous post - if you look on Google Maps, the Whyke Estate is between the Girl / Boy High Schools and the lakes. The bit near the hospital is the new build section - Barnfield Drive and below. Other than that, it's all OK to my knowledge.
Another thing to be aware of is living south of the A27 if you commute. Traffic can really build up as there is only one single road from the coast. The area south of the A27 is lovely though.
Last one I'd highlight is the Parklands area. Whilst it is lovely now, there are plans to build an enormous housing estate right next to it. Exactly where I don't know, google White House Farm, Old Broyle Road - I think it's destined for somewhere near there. What the impact will be on the nearby housing I don't know but it's worth taking into consideration.

Thanks again Oxtail, very useful information.