Chichester or Winchester?

[KobaniDaughters]

Looking at a move back to the U.K. and narrowing down places to live - I know Chichester fairly well from visiting, have only been to Winchester once but liked it and it seems to have a good reputation.

We have two DC, one entering year 5 and one entering year 8, have toured and spoken to schools so am fully informed on that level, but def would love thoughts on things to do for pre-teens and teens, how welcoming to newbies each city is, what the community is like - basically how does it feel to live in either one as I’ve done so so much research on all the practical stuff, now looking forward anecdotal experiences!!

Why not move to Brighton if you want to live in Brighton?

I dread to think what District Commissioner would make of most of the places in this country outside the big cities. They voted Tory and leave.
Winchester's Tory MP has a very small majority, it has been Liberal held in the past, the Council is Liberal, it voted remain, there is a university and lots of students.
Just a few facts.

haha romatheroamer indeed I live in a Brexit voting, very white, rural Tory constituency. But nobody moves to my rural area seeking a liberal diverse community. As I said, maybe it's just the people I know there.

You'll need a very healthy budget for a decent property in a nice part of Winchester. I quite like it, but as others have said, traffic is horrific and diverse is not a word I'd use to describe it.

Neither are diverse places (I live in the region and know both reasonably well but Winchester better). I’d say they’re pretty comparable experiences really, but the deciding factor between the two for me would be on links to London (Winchester wins) and property prices/value for money (I’d guess Chichester wins that one). Both are in nice areas of countryside. If you want to spend time in Brighton, then not Winchester as it’s not a fun journey.

If you want diversity you’re probably going to have to go for another big settlement. Parts of Portsmouth are nice (Southsea), parts of Southampton are nice (around the common). Both cities are more diverse generally. Bournemouth is perhaps another option.

I have to say, I don’t think I would fancy Winchester at all; property is very expensive, traffic can be awful.

We visited Winchester for the first time today with our 6 months baby girl. After a pleasant day on the way back towards our car we've been harassed by a random young (20ish) drunk chav. He started looking at our baby and saying to her that dad should be beaten. We were appalled and walked away - who raises this sort of people ?!? Is the main activity over there to take on visitors with toddlers ? Could someone living there let me know his opinion ?

I agree with a pp , if you want Brighton then move to Brighton . Winchester is nothing like Brighton .

Chichester. ......All those lovely beaches nearby

Chichester is frustratingly far from liberal or diverse, but it is pretty and the theatre is very good. But it's a schlep to London.
Beaches are pretty, but unfortunately blighted by frequent sewage dumps from the water companies.
Of the secondary schools, The Free School would be my preference. Bishop
Luffa is good, but hard to get into if you don't go to church. Chichester High School - I wouldn't even consider. I've heard great things recently about Bourne Academy, which isn't in Chichester, but not too far down the A27 towards Hampshire.

I know Winchester well. It’s astonishingly un-diverse. These days it’s a destination for a huge London exodus - see 8 squillion threads on here discussing the same. Schools are great. My guess is that it is becoming less not more diverse with every ex-London incomer.

I was there there a couple of weeks ago and we were in the town centre picking up some bits and pieces and my dd (18) said afterwards (unprompted) that it was blindingly white, something she has never commented on before.

Winchester is beautiful and I find the people to be quite friendly (overall). Really amazing place.

I liked visiting the place, it was beautiful and we met a lot of friendly faces. Still while leaving we met this group of verbally abusive and intoxicated youngsters in tracksuit. For context it was still daytime. Was it sheer bad luck or is it the norm ?

Currently renting in Winchester and I would say some parts are edgy. There appears to be a homeless issue as well. I am therefore not surprised by your experience.

And Brighton has no drunks or druggies at all?