to be really disappointed after visiting worthing today? (say yes!)

[TooMuchRain]

In September we will be moving to near Brighton (can't afford actual Brighton unfortunately) and I was getting quite excited about Worthing until we went to visit today... it just felt a bit run down and I couldn't see what we would do there - no independent cinema, not much by way of watersports and stupid things like we couldn't find a naice cafe in west worthing (where we were house-hunting)

So, can you tell me if IABU and we stupidly missed the great bits or if I am looking at the wrong town??

[HollyBerryBush]

My mate lives in Worthing - it is a retirement town.

[FatherSpodoKomodo]

My memory of Worthing is that it smells. Does it still smell? I haven't been for many many years and it was boring (and smelly) then.

[TidyDancer]

Are those things really on your list of vitals when house hunting?

I have family near there and I've always loved Worthing. I think you're being picky and odd tbh!

[tiredmummy33]

i grew up there. Its a shithole. why were you excited?

[Trills]

Most cities or towns that you visit feel quite different to when you live in them.

[AmberSocks]

i live near worthing,its a bit of a shithole,not as bad as some places though

WHat were you expecting?

there are three cinemas,the dome and the connaught and one on the seafront,i dont think they are chain ones//.they are all quite old fashioned and have a bit of character.

TBH i dont think worthing has anything "naice" .Brighton is not better imo,full of pricks.

[AmberSocks]

We moved here from Horsham,its much nicer thereis that an option?

We live in Ferring which is a village on the seafront,its got some "naice" cafes on the seafront,a tapas bar and a good school.

[joanofarchitrave]

'It's not Brighton, sure, but it's not Eastbourne either'

Hope you will suggest that as the new town slogan to Weymouth Tourist Info

[specialsubject]

there are loads of sailing clubs along that stretch of coast, lovely walks and lots of cafes.

looked ok to me on a two-week housesit!

[TooMuchRain]

Are those things really on your list of vitals when house hunting?

No, they were not our priorities - we sorted out the important stuff first and Worthing fitted well for that, they were just examples of the minor things that meant I left wondering what we would do / how we would fit in

[HollyBerryBush]

Unless you have a zimmer frame, you wont fit in

[TooMuchRain]

Thanks all! Will look at the cinemas

specialsubject - do you remember where the cafes and sailing clubs were? (genuine question!)

Travelincolour Chichester is another option, I love the harbour, cinema and theatre but find it a bit scarily conservative...

at Holly, guess I could enjoy feeling young??

[WuzzleMonkey]

Worthing. Isn't. Brighton. Same as Eastbourne isn't Brighton. A bit like the way Lewes isn't Brighton (though v nice in a different way). Shoreham isn't Brighton. Hell, even Hove isn't Brighton.

Don't expect Brighton outside of Brighton.

[TooMuchRain]

I know.... but couldn't there be a point where there are enough people who want to be in Brighton but can't afford it for surrounding areas to become a bit more Brighton-like?

[pinkyredrose]

Why don't you look in the outskirts of Brighton, Hangleton or Portslade for example? Much cheaper than nearer the centre.

[cantspel]

Plenty of decent cafes in worthing, 2 cinemas, a brand new swimming pool, leisure centre, tennis club, several youth football teams, golf club, cricket club, david lloyd fitness centre all within a couple of miles of west worthing.

[WuzzleMonkey]

"couldn't there be a point where there are enough people who want to be in Brighton but can't afford it for surrounding areas to become a bit more Brighton-like?"

No. Those people moved to really ropey up and coming and relatively dirt-cheap parts of London. They did not colonise the rest of Sussex.

Sussex is a hick county, and I say that as someone who lived in Sussex for years.

[cantspel]

sailing club on the sea front at goring

[AKissIsNotAContract]

I really like Worthing, we live in Sompting.

[bigbuttons]

Lewes is very nice, brilliant schools, lovely community, rather expensive though!

[ThisIsMummyPig]

MIL lives in Ferring, and we stay in Worthing when we visit.

Nobody should move there who is under the age of 83. It's not normal.

Having said that though I think the town centre is nice, lots of independent shops, nice cafes etc. I am always impressed by how clean everything is. (northern) Its also a good base for the downs, other bits of coast etc.

[cantspel]

Worthing is no longer just a retirement town

www.rgs.org/NR/rdonlyres/9162C191-FADF-4577-9B28-198E0A9C16D2/0/KS3_Pop_Worthingcasestudy.pdf

The largest growth in residents is in the age group 30 to 45