Sussex suggestions...

[rubberduck68]

Thinking of moving when last kid leaves the nest later in the year (I'm in my fifties and single). I fancy Sussex as have friends there. Am tired of the drugs/crime where I am now, so will probs give Brighton a miss (as I'm told it's the same?). I want a quieter life without it being boring! Any suggestions welcome.

Storrington is lovely, beautiful small town.

Horsham or Haywards Heath.

Horsham has more of a town with good shops and nice restaurants. Haywards Heath the town isn’t as good, but you have easier access to London and Brighton.

Or Worthing if you’d like to be coastal.

Shoreham by Sea, Arundel, Yapton, Birdham, Chichester, Aldwick, the Witterings, Rustington, Bosham, Fittleworth, Barnham, Amberley………

Trains to London, Brighton, Portsmouth, Southampton from several stations. The South Downs and the coast nearby. Chichester theatre, as well as large shopping centres in Portsmouth (Gunwharf Quays) which has Park and Ride. Rustington is a lovely place, which has a mix of independent and chain shops. Bosham is beautiful and has a craft centre. Public transport on buses is reasonable from most of those smaller areas, with buses into Chi quite regularly.

Or Worthing if you would like to be up on the downs, and a few miles away from the coast…the district of Worthing has both!

Lewes

Chichester is lovely and lots going on, Midhurst, Emsworth, Felpham, Pagham...

Sussex is a massively wide county. Where are your friends (roughly) located? If I was looking west then I might choose Emsworth (Old Town) although it's actually Hampshire. East, I'd choose Rye. In the middle, go for Southwick. It's quiet but on the main coast tramline and very quick up onto Southwick Hill for lovely walks (see YT videos).

Budget and home size/type?

Thanks everyone, I've spent the weekend googling away and some of these look lovely. My friends live in Brighton, which they don't recommend for me as I want something quieter than the place I'm in now crime and noise wise! I will add I'm quite left, into fashion and food and not really at pipe and slipper stage yet (mid fifties and dating), so probs should have led with that... Does that rule out any of these suggestions?

If you want to avoid drugs and crime give any Sussex seaside town a miss.

I really recommend taking a good look at Lewes. Lovely town with a vibrant centre, quick access to London by train, easy access to the downs, close to Brighton if you fancy it. Quite a lefty, arty vibe. The real downside is that it's expensive - not sure of your budget/housing requirements?

Yes I do like Lewes, although local friends said parking is a problem for some houses? Think I need to book a long weekend to have a look around properly.

Lewes
Newick
Ringmer
Balcome
Kingston
Isfield

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 Brighton vibes)
-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- and for the price of a one bedroom flat in Zone 3 London.
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.

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 Brighton vibes)
-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- and for the price of a one bedroom flat in Zone 3 London.
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.

I'm also looking in that area. An hour from Horsham would be ideal for me.