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!

You won’t find a village in West Sussex that is multicultural. At the same time I don’t think you’d find anywhere that was especially unwelcoming either so tbh the two considerations kind of net out. Lewes is great for different lifestyles, bit of a mini Brighton. East Grinstead has dome decent options around the outskirts, Forest Row is nice. Crawley more multi cultural but pretty awful town and reputation to boot, plus not v near countryside. Haywards Heath and Burgess Hill have always been a bit of a dump tbf, the villages around are nice though… wivelsfield, cuckfield, Lindfield, balcombe, ditching (I love ditching). Have you thought about Hove rather than Brighton? Other villages near Brighton eg pyecombe are nice, but not multicultural

Ditchling is full of snobs. Most unfriendly place. It's also quite old, not just the buildings! Keymer and Hassocks just three minutes away are friendly and at least have some useful shops. Ditchling is pretty though.

Henfield?

Haywards Heath is boring, and full of commuters. Burgess Hill is very family friendly, and it has two stations on the mainline from London to Brighton. The town centre has gone down hill.

I really would recommend Lewes, I'm biased. It's full of character, lots of history, lots of cultural activities going on, a bit alternative, lots of nice pubs, cafes and antique shops, and I can walk out of my door and be on the south downs in less than five minutes. Easy enough to get into London.

Fair point about ditching … you will get stared at wherever you go but it won’t be because of colour! Uckfield is another option near lewes which is ok. How on earth could Burgess Hill town centre have gone anymore downhill??!

Stedham near midhurst has a small Thai community and a fab Thai run pub with fantastic food.
Right in the southdowns and 15 mins from the A3.

They started redevelopment on the town centre just before Covid struck. There were big plans to have a multi screen cinema, Nandos and to attract other big names, but having knocked down the library leaving a pile of concrete rubble nothing has happened. There is a waitrose, and a new look though which is ok if your priority is cheap clothes and posh nosh. But I can't even remember what other shops there are, it's such a non event!

Horsham might fit your brief - a small town but a bit more diverse than some with a decent range of shops and a small theatre (and the Christs Hospital theatre is sometimes open to the public). Rail links into London Bridge and Victoria and property is reasonable for the area. Surrounded by lovely countryside and some good walking routes. Your budget should get you a reasonable 3 bed house nearish the station (and probably 4).

Petworth is lovely and arty but small and pricey - there are only 3 3 bed properties in your budget in Petworth and the compromise is between a tiny backyard or a tiny box room for the third bedroom

Chichester ought to be in budget and it has the wonderful Festival theatre,concerts in the cathedral and a couple of galleries. SLightly longer trek into town as you either have to head to Havant for the fast train to Waterloo or take the slow crawler along the southcoast into Victoria - if you don't have to go into town often it should work.

I also love Shoreham but didn't recommend on basis that was coastal.

Without being too outing I I live in a part of Shoreham that is 15 mins walk to beach ( 5 mins drive) and am just back from a sea swim.

I run daily along the river Adur and when I have time I get up into The Downs just behind - 15 -
29 mins uphill walk to Mill Hill reserve.

It's an increasingly diverse place thanks to Brighton 'drift' phenomena. Like all of Sussex not hugely multicultural although heading in right direction.

In terms of artyness - it has a small festival with open houses, a couple of galleries, lots of nice places to eat in the pedestrianised old town centre which is picturesque - parks for kids, a monthly farmers market, an Art Deco working airport.

It's very close to Brighton / Hove ( 10 mins on the train ).

It gets overlooked as the main coastal through road (a259) looks unlovely - and industrial- but just off it the town is lovely.

No huge supermarket in centre but a LIDL, a big M&S, next and Tesco on outskirts. Small independent shops in centre ( slightly too many estate agents and charity shops still IMHO) .

Good schools, direct rail to London Victoria ( about 70-80 mins)

Horsham used to be a small town but is now surrounded by endless new build housing estates.

Crawley has a large Asian community and a parks with lakes

would look wider in a circle around London (as you need to commute 1/2 days) as there might well be other good options to tick your boxes. You’ll probably need to prioritise your criteria too.

for example if the outdoor stuff is particularly important you can get ‘culture’ by visiting London.

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/122376206?utmcampaign=property-details&utmmcontent=buying&utmmedium=sharing&utmmsource=copytoclipboard#/&channel=RES_BUY

@SonicWomb the county council sold out and handed the town centre to New River Retail who had grandiose plans. Several years on, they've bulldozed the library and Martlets Community Hall, left most of the surrounding shop units and flats over to fall into disrepair, and any planned development now hinges on attracting big retail names who are closing units not opening new ones.

There's only Lloyds left of the big name banks (never fear people, you can go to The Heath for your banking!), Boots, Superdrug, New Look, Wilko, Waitrose, Pets Corner, Holland and Barratt, Iceland and M&Co. A few independent shops, lots of charity shops, nail bars and funeral directors.

There's plans for a load more houses on the northern arc by St Pauls College and The Triangle, but the council now shrug their shoulders over the town centre because it's nowt to do with them.

I live in West Sussex and Burgess Hill is now seen as a bit rough compared to Haywards Heath. The latter has new coffee shops and restaurants just opened, lots of new flats being built and is generally on the way up, rather than the way down. Not very artsy though and property is selling quickly.

That’s such a shame they’ve let that happen, Burgess Hill has always been seen as rough compared to HH but it sounds like they’ve really compounded all its problems. Tbh when I was younger we’d never go “out” in BH as there was always trouble. HH had its fair share of idiots but in general was a safer and nicer vibe.

Not what you asked for, but have you considered looking at West Kent - Tunbridge Wells, Tonbridge or any of the villages surrounding it? Fast trains into London Bridge/Waterloo East/Charing Cross and Cannon Street.

I’ve lived in Tunbridge Wells before, and found it very multicultural. Lots of ex-Londoners of all ethnicities there. Plus some great countryside on your doorstep and near a lot of NT properties.

Curveball:

Sherborne, North West Dorset

2h 12m direct to London - can get in for 7:36am.

Beautiful market town, lots of facilities, far less traffic/pollution, surrounded by fantastic countryside. And half-way to SW.

Just to correct a slight error above - Chichester does have a fast train to London. It goes up to Horsham, not along the coast. Take about an hour and a half.

I live in one of the areas mentioned in the thread in the coast. I couldn’t think of anywhere else I’d rather live. Coast and country within easy reach. London by train is really easy and travelling along the coast to places like Hastings, Portsmouth (Gunwharf Quays!) is also doable.

I prefer the spirit of the coastal towns. Some of the places inland (Burgess Hill, Hayward’s Heath) are quite soulless. I worked in Burgess Hill and my word it’s dull!
We do pop to Lewes occasionally but I don’t find it that welcoming really or particularly diverse. A friend moved there and found it hard to be an ‘outsider’.

And the curveball Sherborne…..no!!!!! I have family there and it is one of the most conservative places ever! There’s no diversity, no culture or decent restaurants. You have to go to Yeovil for any shows/cinema and there is nothing to do for young children there. If we go visit our family for the weekend, the children are beyond bored

From comments here and things friends (who live in/near to the area) have said, I think the coastal towns are probably the best compromise in terms of what we’re looking for. I’m the one who would prefer to be right in the heart of the Downs and away from the coast, but it’s a compromise I don’t mind making. If it were down to me alone I’d be somewhere really rural, which is largely impractical with my need to get into London…

Those suggesting we broaden our search area - we’ve honed in on this part of the country as it’s best (or least worst) for getting to both sets of parents. What works for one set doesn’t work for the other. But thankfully it does seem like there are houses in our budget, especially if we can be flexible in some areas. Time for a recce now! Thanks again for all your suggestions.

@Ypsilanti curious to know where you decided upon? Did you move? Also looking to do a similar move with a healthy dose of multiculturalism / open minded town in similar area.

Anyone got any views on West Chillington ?

West Chiltington? Think Stepford Wives vibes.

Oh dear!

Try Southsea—it's not Sussex, but it’s nearby. Very multicultural, and you’re only 30 minutes from Chichester or Arundel if you want to enjoy the beauty of Sussex. Plus, the area is full of stunning Victorian houses with loads of character. 90 minutes to Waterloo

Thanks, I’ll look into that.