Where's nice between Brighton and Southampton?

[Thornyrose7]

Hi,

I wasn't sure where to post this, but we are looking to move to the South coast , probably West Sussex or Hampshire. Anywhere on the West Coast Way train line.
Dd is 6 so we would like a nice junior school. Somewhere with good links where the traffic isn't too bad. Somewhere with a nice pub and a bit of life but not too posh or pricey!
Any South coast dwellers would love to hear from you.

ThornyRose we ended up much further north, on the W.Sussex/ Hampshire border, near Petersfeild.

I don't know about further East along the South Coast, but we were looking for a commute to Chichester. It seems that the South coast secondary schools are not great (there's a good school in Chichester, but you need to live on the doorstep or be firm church members to get in). We found that there's a band of excellent schools across W Sussex and |Hampshire, just further north.

The problem then is that when you get within commuting distance of London, house prices rise again. Trick is finding the sweet spot in the middle!

Good luck with your search.

I know it's outside your search area but I'll just put in a shout for Eastbourne. Lots of families (especially in Old Town & Roselands area), good schools, lovely beach, great access to the Downs & reasonable house prices - well reasonable compared to Brighton, Chichester, Lewes......

Worthing is nice lots of lovely things to do and close to Brighton etc.

However slightly biased but Littlehampton or rustington (not the private estate) is much more affordable in terms of housing. I wasn't to keen to move this way as I had heard negative things. Since living here though I LOVE it. The beachfront is amazing much more to do than Worthing. Lots of different family events held throughout the year on the seafront and greens.
So many people come from far away for trips to the beach.
Schools are great and great links with the train line. Worth a look...

OP, are you an alternative type? How right on are you ?😉If very much so, then choose Brighton or lewes. Chichester is quite conservative. Shoreham is quite interesting.
If you like Brighton, then how about henfield or hurstpierpoint ( nearby villages)? Hurst is nearer a train station.
Lancing is depressing. Avoid.
Worthing is not as bad as it used to be.

User147, I don't want to offend you, but I find littlehpton (and Bognor) really depressing.

Noonar I am with you there. Littlehampton town centre even in the daytime is a little bit scarey

Alfriston, steyning, hassocks, hurstpierpoint, cuckfield, brighton and hove (possibly Lewes too) also firle Village is a gem (tiny school) I know well and love.. with good schools to choose from.

Others I'd avoid..! Awful a27 and yes agree upthread depressing.. go see the countryside in Alfriston I think it's one of the most beautiful parts of the uk..

Have a look at ditchling too and there are always school places in the village school there.. very beautiful!

I agree the town centre is not the best and I rarely go there. That said there are still plenty of other great things outside of the town centre.

Not sure why you find them depressing. Can't comment much on Bognor I only tend to visit the big retail area.

I'd say Southsea, Emsworth, Chichester, Lewes and maybe Shoreham. Worthing would be a sensible choice because it is up and coming but personally I didn't like it. In defence of Littlehampton though, I'd say it has quite a lot going for it: it's on a direct line to London, long beaches by the golf course, sailing and a great fish stall.

Not sure what you mean about the West Coast Way train line though - the whole area is served by the awful Southern Rail.