Tell me about West Sussex/South Downs

[Ypsilanti]

DP and I currently live in East London and are thinking about moving out. For various reasons West Sussex and the South Downs works well for us as a broad area. We’re looking primarily for countryside (we’re both outdoorsy and keen walkers) but also to live somewhere that has a few amenities, and importantly, isn’t too far from an arty/cultural community (however small). We’d also like somewhere that is a little more multicultural if possible - DP is of South Asian heritage (I’m white) and it’s really important to us that we move somewhere that is welcoming to him.

I know all this screams somewhere close to Brighton, but aside from being too expensive, it is too much a party town for us. We’re in our 40s (no kids) and our partying days are largely over!

Our budget is £550k for a 3 bed house. We have been looking at Worthing but we’d like to be a bit more inland if possible, though we realise our budget rules out some of the better connected South Downs towns. I’ve recently been looking at Haselmere (which I know is in Surrey) but not sure if it has the cultural element we’re looking for. I will need to commute into London once or twice a week at most (London terminus not relevant at this point) so being closer to a station would be helpful.

Can anyone recommend areas to help us focus our search/investigate? Thanks!

Chichester, Arundel, Horsham?

Lewes?

Whats Horsham like? I think I may have been given a poor impression by a colleague who used to live there and was very dismissive of it as much more than a dormitory town (no offence intended to anyone who lives there)

What about Steyning, Henfield, Billingshurst, Storrington? More countryside than Worthing but you might not get as much for your money and possibly not as multicultural? Although other posters might be able to advise more accurately on that.

Or you could look at Horsham or Chichester?

Worthing does have easy access to countryside and all towns I’ve mentioned are within 30-45min drive from Worthing, plus in Worthing the beach is on your doorstep but that’s obviously only a plus of you like the beach!

Horsham is a small market town that is conservative with a small and a large C. It is family orientated and has lots going on for young families and those with school aged children. It's not as arty/cultural as you'd like. I think.

Actually I'm probably being a little harsh on Horsham. The countryside nearby is accessible and full of interesting walks. There are National Trust properties nearby, as well as privately owned places like Leonardslee. There is a council owned arts/theatre venue and an Everyman cinema. Lots of restaurants and pubs but not many bars or clubs.

Lewes - much nicer than Brighton imo

Haslemere is as conservative Surrey that you could get! It has a lot of high value properties in its surroundings and attracts a certain Surrey type.

Honestly I don’t think it’s what you are looking for and property prices are high.

This is really helpful, thanks. @RoseslnTheHospital that would make sense in terms of what my colleague has said (very different life stage and political views). Probably not for us either, but it’s as useful to rule places out as in. I’d come across Billinghurst (which looks like it would require a compromise in terms of home) but not the others @Lemongrass9 mentioned, so I’ll look into those, thanks.

Chichester and Worthing seem quite different in character from previous threads I’ve found. I’m keener to be in the downs than close to the sea, but outskirts of both look to have a good balance. It seems like the housing market is crazy in all of these areas, but we can worry about that later..

Try Lewes, steyning or rye. All arty but perhaps not as multicultural as you’d like. Try visiting and see.

That’s what I suspected. Thanks!

Petersfield? My sister has just moved there and sounds like she has similar preferences. Moved from southsea and was nervous about moving more rural. They seem pretty pleased with it. Just over an hour to London and you could get a 3 bed for that definitely.

Chichester, Arundel, Horsham, pulborough, petworth, steyning.

Also Haywards heath, Henfield area might fit the bill - Lewes is good but is east rather than West Sussex...

Two votes for Steyning and Lewes - will check them out. I think Rye is too far east unfortunately (family in West Country - already a PITA from East London) otherwise it would be great. Need to be west of Brighton really.

Look at Midhurst or Petworth, both lovely little towns and inland, Petworth has some amazing independent shops and a very arty community.

Amberley is right in the downs and a stunning location, has only one shop but an arty community and a few places to eat.

Ooh I'm sounding like a travel agent!

You are all brilliant, so much to look into here.

Haywards Heath is more multicultural but unlovely in my view. But there is gorgeous countryside north and south of it. Lindfield is a lovely village full of creatives but not so multicultural. However you may find that Sussex people in general are welcoming to your DH—my experience is that newcomers are welcome whatever their background and ethnicity and the ppl are quite diverse in various ways. I speak as a white woman married to a very unusual man of Southern European origin!

I'm originally from West Sussex and I can't recommend anywhere that has culture and is multi cultural. If I was after country side I'd go to Petworth or Midhurst (where I'm from).

Mid Sussex has better connections for travel. Cuckfield is lovely, as is Lindfield.

I'm in Lewes. It's full of artists, writers, potters, poets and musicians. Lots of cultural events, talks, great little cinema, useless but fab shops, live music events and of course bonfire. We have a ridiculous number of pubs! Itsvin the south downs national park and you have the downs on your doorstep, and the river is nice. 3 beds will take you over your budget though. Its also thought of as having cliques. Although I've found it friendly. Seaford is up and coming as an arty place and is cheaper. It's by the sea, and not far from Lewes, Brighton, and Eastbourne.

Um what? It’s a market town but that’s all I’d recognise from your post, 50000 is not often considered small, unless you’re in London and it’s got loads going on,not just family stuff.

you’re not being harsh you’re posting like you’ve never lived there,and don’t know it.

@Stoppedsmokingnowgrumpy Fair enough, that's your point of view. You couldn't be more wrong about my personal experience tho.

Horsham has half the population of Worthing, Guildford, or Crawley for example.

Sure, and nearly twice that of Epsom and three times as much as dorking.

🤷‍♀️

Yep. I'm not sure any of this is helping the OP with her thoughts on where to live.

Regarding commuting, don’t tie yourself to being close to the station, station car parks look pretty empty these days. So you could be more countryside but able to drive to station to get you to occasional commute plus to the culture?

Arundel, Pulborough, tiny villages in the Arun valley (though £££). Or closer to Chichester.

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/120741395#/?channel=RES_BUY