West Sussex - Nutbourne, Bosham, Birdham, Sidlesham

[Sictransitgloria]

Hello,

As the title suggests, we are considering moving this way.

We currently live in Portsmouth, lived in London for 7 years (I’m originally from London, partner has always wanted to live in the country as he is from Hampshire) and moved to Southsea as house prices were cheap and lots to do as well as being close to the sea. We have lived in Hampshire for 4 years including 2.5 years now in Southsea. We now have a one year old and have started thinking about moving in the next year or two for schools and a better quality of life (outdoorsy). We both drive so there’s no issue with getting to cities/towns for amenities/leisure. Although I’d really not want to live completely in the sticks. I absolutely love Chidham & Hambrook and Bosham but unfortunately I don’t think we will be able to afford much there (budget £350k, minimum 3 bed property with a garden big enough for a home office of some sort). I love the happy medium of coast and countryside. Casting the net a bit wider, have seen a few newish properties in Birdham which look ok and in budget. Sidlesham looks beautiful but wondering if it is too far out with little in the way of shops etc. We have family in Waterlooville and family due to move to Portsmouth in the next few years so ideally wouldn’t want to be more than 30 mins from there. I am aware of traffic and A27 as I work in a local town north of Portsmouth - partner works from home and I work PT and am able to mix office and home working.

Would be grateful for any further suggestions of locations.

Anyone at all 🙏

I'm near those areas. The issue with Sidlesham and Birdham is that the wait to get over the 27 at rush over is a real problem. Looking at secondaries, which I know is a long way off, in Sidlesham you would probably be looking at the Selsey school, Birdham would be the Chichester schools, which includes Bishop Luffa which is dependant on church attendance. The other areas would be Bourne, which has had its ups and downs.
The other thing to be aware of is that Bosham and Nutbourne have very limited train services, only one an hour in each direction, but Southbourne and Emsworth is more regular.
If you want to get to Waterlooville, look at Lavant, maybe Rowlands Castle, those slightly more north villages. Or Westbourne, north of Emsworth?

I know this isn't everyone's taste, but it's SO CUTE

Lumley Terrace, Lumley Road, Emsworth
www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-86149514.html

Thank you getdownonit- helpful advice. I know the A27 is a total nightmare. I love Emsworth and we have considered Rowlands and Westbourne - will visit Lavant as never really been that way. You are absolutely right about secondary schools, we obviously want to buy somewhere we will stay for a while yet. I think it’s striking the balance of good location and enough house for our money. The old adage!

I absolutely love that cottage, it’s been on the market a while. Think there’s been issues with flooding before though sadly. Love Hermitage and Prinsted!

Are there any areas you definitely would not recommend?

There are probably some bits around the back of Southbourne going towards Emsworth, but it's all relative isn't it? And probably some bits of Hambrook, but there aren't many houses there anyway.
You would get better 'sea' if you went to Sidlesham or Bracklesham Bay, as the harbour is just mud half the day.
Lavant is a bit spread out but there is a good bus service down into Chichester, which there isn't in a lot of the non coastal villages.

Fishbourne is also nice, really between harbour and countryside...

Yeah, totally re: it being relative. I come from an estate in South East London originally haha. We had a look around Hambrook the other day. Fishbourne is another one we have thought about too so that’s good to know. And about Sidlesham and Bracklesham. We don’t know around there at all in comparison to the Bournes so will have an explore. I really love Chidham south of the main road. There seemed to be a lot of new housing developments popping up too along from Emsworth to Bosham so not sure how that will work out regarding school capacity either.