Worthing/Goring by sea

[pebblesandsunshine]

We have been thinking on and off for a few years of moving down to Sussex and wondered if anyone could share what it's like in Worthing/Goring by Sea. It feels like such a big decision to move especially as we'd need primary, secondary and SEN schools - we're keen to be near the sea, jobs aren't an issue as we work remote.

Know area v well. Sea lane cafe on the seafront is a mecca and goldmine.

The seafront is lovely but the local roads are covered in large speedhumps that make driving around there v laborious.

Beware the 'gap' (fields) between littlehampton and goring has repeatedly been fought over by council, developers and environmentalists... There are plans for hundreds of new homes and the local roads will be full of lorries. I think planning permission is on the cusp.

Also, whilst no flooding of significance has occurred recently, the area is v vulnerable to sea level rises and coastal defences need upgrading - many groynes are old and sea defences largely rely on shingle barriers.

Overall, at the moment its a lovely area, but it could change pretty quickly..

Where are you now, op? For comparisons sake ☺️

I was born and brought up in that area, but more towards the Shoreham by Sea side. I now live in Yorkshire and miss the pebbles and sunshine very much!

As a comparison - it’s extremely busy in W Sx. The conurbation is in a narrow strip for miles along the coast, wedged in by the Downs, and can be intense for parking etc. It’s expensive. But it’s beautiful, convenient for travel and I’d move back tomorrow.

I don’t know any specifics about schools or SEN provision but it’s a progressive area, certainly more so than when I lived there (mid 70s to early 00s).

If you’ve looked on RM and rejected any properties do post links so I can have a daydream.

I know it well. The whole area is basically a building site now with Bognor, Littlehampton and Worthing almost merging as one. The traffic is horrendous.

If you don't have to commute or travel via road, then it will be less stressful. You work remotely, so that's one less thing to worry about! I'd look at buying right near the school you want your children to enrol in, again, to save driving.

But, other than that, its a nice place to live. I moved away 4yrs ago after being there 35yrs. Family are still there, who I visit a few times a year, but I'm always shocked at how much development happens in the few months inbetween.

It’s a lovely place to live! I’m very close to the beach so I do worry about potential flooding and rising sea levels in future years, but for now it is lovely. I’m on the beach most evenings and although it was busier during the heatwave recently, most evenings there is hardly anyone there. Even in the daytime it doesn’t get that busy. (It’s busier towards the town centre but nothing like Brighton beach on a summer’s day).

There are some great schools here, Primary and Secondary.

PPs are right that the traffic in and around Worthing is often a nightmare. My OH works from home and I work locally and at odd times, so I can often walk to work or if going further afield, can drive when the roads are quieter. I wouldn’t want to be driving a lot or having to use the A27 in rush hour (there is quite a lot of ‘rush hour’)!

Absolutely love it here, often feels like being on holiday. I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else.

I've lived in this area my whole life so obviously I don't have much to compare it to! However I personally love it! We have some excellent schools in this area , we are very lucky. All my DC are very happy at their schools and one of them does have SEN ( although not currently at a SEN school specifically)
I do agree with what others have said , traffic can be bad and yes there is a lot of development going on. It is also very expensive to live here there is no denying that.
All in all though it's a beautiful place to live , lovely beaches and the south downs to the north of Worthing. Good luck with whatever you decide 🙂

I live in durrington. You've got palatine and oak grove SEN primary and secondary schools. It's quite an expensive area but if you're coming from London or somewhere else expensive it probably won't be much of a leap. Lovely area, quite peaceful other than the little groups of kids that hang around near train stations and the little pockets of shops but even they don't cause too much drama.

I worked here ages ago and moved from the other side of Worthing last year. Don't regret it at all.

Thanks so much, this is all so helpful - we're currently in East Anglia and almost as far away from the sea as you can get!! Moving schools is my biggest concern as it would be a big move for our children, from what I've read the secondary schools are all pretty good? Traffic here is awful so that doesn't worry me too much but is good to know.
Just the thought of being able to go to the beach in the evenings is incentive enough! I used to live on the coast and really miss it.

I was born in Worthing and have been away and come back. Im now in Goring by Sea with my hubby and our 5yr old daughter. We love it here - yes it can be busy in summer and it’s not the cheapest, but we have a good quality of life - especially with home working as you also said about OP. I would recommend Goring as a lovely place for families.

I can comment well having lived all over London and Brighton too. Can confirm Worthing is a great place if you want:
-A lovely quiet beach
-Beautiful countryside and walking nearby
-Friendly safe community, quite diverse and queer friendly
-Very good cafes restaurants pubs and bars (both traditional and also natural wines bars and small plates etc, craft breweries for a bit of pizazz)
-Good schools
-Leafy parks
-Decent town centre with walkable shops
-Three train stations(!) and an easy enough commute straight to Victoria/East Croydon/Clapham, and Brighton of course
-Decent parking (especially compared to Brighton)
-And affordable homes! I bought my three bedroom house in a good area for only 30k more than my one bedroom flat in Brighton-For us it's been a no brainer and we love it, we're in our 30s and lots of our friends are following suit.
-Best areas: Check it out in person. Personally we're near the station on a leafy nice street, Tarring (West) is also desirable. But the best way to ascertain is to go and walk around.