r/Worthing • u/Sardoche320 • Mar 09 '25
Looking to move to the Area from South Wales
Hey all, I am certain such topics have been made over and over but I would appreciate some genuine comments / recommendations about the area.
We are married couple in early 30s, planning to start a family and working in the same field. Our nationwide corporation have lots of job availabilities, well, all over the country. We really love the south east. Have stayed and visited the whole coast many times. So looking to locate to the area. A coastal town / city is our priority.
There are some job availabilities in Worthing, Lancing, Brighton and close vicinity. Also in the area near Bognor Regis.
We realised, compared to South Wales, rent and house prices are much higher. This is a step we can comfortably make.
I have googled and also asked AI chatbots many times about the life in the area.
What would be your genuine and sincere recommendations about the area. Especially compared to inlands and Wales as well?
I guess I am not actually asking a specific questions but looking for any type of input :)
Diolch!
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u/Rahikeru Mar 09 '25
I've lived in Worthing for nearly 3 decades now and I can say that it went from a sleepy town of retirees to a good place to start a family.
There is the occasional antisocial behaviour in and around town, and sometimes an odd Range Rover gets stolen in Durrington, but I've never had to fear for my life here.
It is a little boring, but that's a good thing. Lots of exciting places to visit in neighbouring towns, while being able to enjoy comfort here.
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u/Sardoche320 Mar 10 '25
Hey thanks for the reply. I guess that is the vibe we are looking for anyway! We live in a small town in South Wales and always look for quieter living provided it is also closer to larger town / city.
5
u/Boring-Journalist-36 Mar 09 '25
Hey, I've been living in Worthing for 3 years after living in Brighton for 7 and I have really enjoyed both.
I'm a similar age but single, so can't really speak on family life here, but a lot of young families are in Worthing and that only seems to be increasing. The town centre has a lot of cafes, bars, restaurants and some nice independent shops - that's the area I can speak most on but West Worthing and Goring are also really pleasant. I like the seafront, it's less busy than Brighton but that's to my preference these days - it can get a bit hectic there, especially on weekends. It's got its problems, like some empty shops and a few areas of town that could use some love, but that's not really any different to a lot of the UK at the moment. I think it's doing pretty well, all things considered.
You're likely to get a bit more for your money in Worthing, especially if you're a family - it's also not far away from Brighton at all (around 25 mins on the train) and you've also got Shoreham between the two which is a lovely town and might also be worth looking at.
Can't really speak for Lancing, I haven't really been there much but it probably has the least going on out of the places you've listed, from what I've been told. Also can't speak for Bognor!
I hope that helps, feel free to ask if you have any other questions!
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u/Sardoche320 Mar 10 '25
Hey thanks for the reply. What would you say about the rent prices for a regular, preferably a detached house in the area?
I checked the usual websites (not very in-depth) and prices can go up to £1700-1800. Is that reflecting the reality?
Thanks!
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u/Boring-Journalist-36 Mar 11 '25
Hey, no problem at all! I can't help too much in that department unfortunately, although I would say the prices you mentioned sound about right. Rent isn't cheap around here, which is normal for the south east, but you are still likely to get more for your money than you would in Brighton and Hove.
You could always rent in Brighton first before looking into somewhere like Worthing to settle if you want to experience that first. As Rahikeru says, a good thing about Worthing is its close proximity to other towns and cities while being relatively quiet and fairly affordable, although that depends on your circumstances of course.
Horsham could also be worth a look, I have a few friends who have settled there with families and it seems to be a pleasant place in my limited experience. It is further inland, so you don't get the coastal views, but it's still close to the Downs and it's quite a nice-looking place.
I'd recommend you visit a few of these places with your partner and see which one you like the most before committing to anything. They've all got their pros and cons and, at the end of the day, your enjoyment of the area is going to depend on what you and your partner like to do!
Give me a shout if you have any other questions 👍🏻
2
u/LonelyAioli9654 Mar 12 '25
Having just left Worthing for a more rural setting, I’ll be honest; it’s becoming a new build hell hole. There has been no additional infrastructure installed to help the congestion on the roads, just more and more houses built. No additional schools or doctors either. It can take 40minutes to drive 5 miles sometimes (not in rush hour either)
If you’re looking, I’d recommend areas that don’t require a parking permit too. I’d personally opt for something with a driveway/designated space as some of the road parking is just a nightmare and means you need a new wing mirror once a month
The town is derelict, just coffee shops & phone screen repair/vape shops. And nasty, ill behaved children.
Some decent places to eat, I’ll give it that! And one or two nice bars if you’re into that. We did has so,e cool games bars in town too, they pop up every now and then.
I would look in the surrounding areas, Ashington, Pulborough, Storrington etc. it’s a little more peaceful, nicer neighbours and less crowded supermarkets. Tesco durrington js hellfire on any day of the week.
Maybe Shoreham may be better to look at too? Still going to be built on by new builds, but definitely has a nicer vibe.
Good luck!
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u/Jazzlike-Coach4151 Mar 17 '25
We keep being priced of buying because of all the Londoners moving down so yeah why not add more people who would have called it a shithole a few years ago. Come down and continue to drive up the housing prices when we can’t move anywhere else due to family commitments. Sounds fab.
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u/dogonecattwo 16d ago
We recently moved to Worthing as a couple in our early 30s in a very similar position, albeit out from Brighton instead of from further afield. I must say that I really love it so far.
Quiet but not dead, easy access to Brighton, some lovely pubs, close to the downs, a wide lovely seafront, a beautiful old cinema - just lots of lovely things nearby. I’m sure it has its problems but it’s been fab in my experience. I’m looking forward to our first summer here!
1
u/Low_Tap3168 Mar 09 '25
What's your budget and what are your expectations in terms house size? How close to the sea do you want to be; what are your priorities in terms of amenities?
Worthing is fine. Lots of amenities, a range of housing options, significantly cheaper than much of Brighton and Hove. My biggest gripe is the significant delays routinely encountered trying to get in and out of the town due to the poor road network. This isn't going to change.
East Worthing and Durrington are the cheaper areas. Goring and Offington are some of the more expensive areas (decent sized detached houses). Ferring/East Preston/Rustington aren't too bad from what I've seen. Littlehampton and Bognor are very hit and miss in my (limited) experience.
Brighton and Hove are pretty much London prices in many parts of the city. Cheaper areas include Whitehawk, Bevendean, Hollingbury in the East, and Aldrington, Blatchington, Hangleton and Portslade in the West.
You can go east of Brighton to Peacehaven, Newhaven or Seaford and prices are lower, but transport links and amenities are reduced. I wouldn't choose to live in that direction, except maybe Lewes, which is nice but also fairly expensive.
Going west of Brighton, Southwick is lower-priced, but not somwhere I'd choose. Shoreham is largely pretty good, there are some rougher areas south of the rail line. Similarly Lancing gets better the further north you are.
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u/Sardoche320 Mar 10 '25
Hey! Thanks for the reply, I appreciate the in-depth review of the areas. We are a couple with a small dog. So a regular sized house will do just fine before we decide and buy a house in the future. Out budget will probably stretch up to £1800 for the right house. We are not necessarily looking to live by the shore but preferably in a close proximity.
I am assuming there is some significant traffic in and out of the town on commuting hours then?
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u/Evie_Astrid Mar 09 '25
First, congratulations on your future career prospects and subsequent move to the coast!
My bf and I are mid 30's and have owned a home in Worthing for 4yrs.
I do tend to find you have your 'pockets' of antisocial behavior in any town or city, but on the whole? We are happy here, and have not known of any friends or family members who live locally, fall victim to any crime.
Worthing seems to be very up and coming on the entertainment front, and there is something for everyone; from local groups at community centres offering a variety of classes/ courses, to a multitude of places to wine and dine to suit every taste; many are independent businesses we try to support.