Worthing is fast becoming a popular location for people to call home. Once thought of as a sleepy enclave for retirees, it is now becoming the location of choice for commuters and locals looking for affordability and lifestyle. After all, Oscar Wilde lived here for a summer - so it can't be too bad.
Coastal living
Oh - we do like to be beside the seaside!
Worthing beach is a seven mile stretch of shingle, pebble and sand that is enjoyed by both locals and tourists, but gets nowhere near as busy as nearby Brighton beach. It has once again been recognised as one of the best beaches in the country and awarded the coveted Seaside Award for the third year running. This accolade is only given to those beaches that achieve the highest standards of beach management and water quality.
There are fewer things as enjoyable as spending an evening walking the promenade, watching the paddle boarders and kite surfers and then enjoying a glass of wine as you sit back, relax and watch the sun go down. It’s almost like every day is a holiday, and it’s a lifestyle that more and more people are choosing.
And, when it comes to bragging rights about the seafront, Worthing’s art deco pier has been voted Britain’s best pier for 2019.
Climate
Having 7 miles of beach is great, but not if its rainy and windy every day.
Bognor Regis, a mere 15 miles along the coast, has been officially named Britain’s sunniest spot and receives 1,902 hours of sunshine per year. In fact, the climate is so favourable in Sussex that the region has now become the UK’s epicentre for sparkling wine production, with leading vineyards such as Nyetimber, Ridgeview and Tinwood all within striking distance of the town.
Connectivity
Worthing is an incredibly well-connected town. It’s just 25 minutes by train into cosmopolitan Brighton, and 75 minutes into London. In 2018, Worthing was named in the top ten commuter towns when taking into account house prices and commuting costs.
Jumping in the car, the market towns of Arundel and Chichester can all be reached within 45 minutes and, for those willing to spend a little longer travelling, Porstsmouth, the Isle of White and Southampton are all within striking distance.
For anyone wishing to "jet set" to distant shores, Gatwick airport is under an hour away by car or train.
Affordability
One of the biggest draws that people have to Worthing is the ability to combine lifestyle with housing affordability.
According to data issued by the Office of National Statistics, house prices in Worthing are still priced at a 30% discount to Brighton. Also, as noted above, Worthing now firmly sits on the commuter belt for the City of London.
Outdoor living
And, it’s not just the beach that offers outdoor and lifestyle opportunity.
The 1,600 square kilometer South Down’s National Park is just a short distance from Worthing. There are over 1,800 kilometers of footpaths and the gentle rolling hills of the South Downs are a mecca for road and mountain biking. The iconic "South Down’s Way" runs for 100 miles between Winchester and Eastbourne and can be done on either foot or bike. And if all that effort is making you feel hungry or thirsty, there are plenty of pubs in local villages such as Amberley and Bramber.
Want to learn more?
Want to learn a little more about the area? then why not read our '20 things about Worthing you might no know' blog.
If you're thinking about a move to the area, then why not check out our area guides which provide information on house prices, schools, transportation and things to do in the local area:
