Living in Worthing: Your Questions Answered
Worthing has quietly become one of the most sought-after places to live on the West Sussex coast, and the questions we hear from people considering a move here come up again and again. As a family removals firm based just up the road near Pulborough, we have helped a great many households settle into Worthing over the years, and we have put together this Q&A guide to answer the things people most want to know about living in and moving to this likeable seaside town.
Published 2024-09-22 · Wolves Removals
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Worthing sits on the south coast between Brighton and Littlehampton, with the South Downs rising behind it and a long shingle and sand beach in front. For years it was overshadowed by its livelier neighbour Brighton, but that reputation no longer fits. Today Worthing is a town in its own right, with an independent streak, a growing food and drink scene, plenty of green space and a sense of community that newcomers consistently remark on. Below we have answered the questions we are asked most often by people thinking of making the move.
What is Worthing actually like to live in?
Worthing strikes a balance that many coastal towns struggle to achieve. It is large enough to have everything you need day to day, with a proper high street, supermarkets, a hospital, a theatre and a good range of restaurants and cafes, yet it remains relaxed and unhurried in a way that larger towns and cities are not. The pace of life is gentle, the seafront is a constant presence, and there is an easy, friendly atmosphere about the place.
The town has changed noticeably over the past decade. A wave of independent businesses, cafes, bars and creative ventures has given the centre and the area around Montague Street and Warwick Street a fresh energy, while the seafront and pier remain the heart of the town. People who move here from busier places often describe a sense of having slowed down without giving anything up.
What are the best areas to live in Worthing?
Worthing is made up of several distinct neighbourhoods, each with its own character, so the right area depends very much on what you are looking for.
- The town centre and seafront suit those who want to be close to the shops, the beach and the pier, with a mix of flats and period terraces.
- West Worthing and Tarring are popular with families, offering quieter residential streets, a village feel in old Tarring, and easy access to the station.
- Goring-by-Sea, towards the western edge, is greener and more suburban, with the much-loved Goring Gap and Highdown Gardens nearby.
- Broadwater, slightly inland, has a strong community feel around its green and is handy for the A27.
- East Worthing tends to offer better value and good transport links, and has seen steady regeneration in recent years.
If you are weighing up a move to the wider area, it is worth getting to know the surrounding West Sussex towns and villages too. Our Worthing removals page has more local detail, and our broader West Sussex removals guide covers the neighbouring communities you might also be considering.
Is Worthing good for families?
Worthing is a genuinely family-friendly town, which is one of the main reasons we see so many families relocating here. The combination of the beach, the South Downs on the doorstep, plenty of parks and a good choice of schools makes it an appealing place to raise children. Highdown Gardens, Beach House Park and the seafront promenade all offer free, easy days out, and the town has a strong network of clubs, activities and community groups.
The seaside setting is, of course, a big part of the appeal for children. Long summer afternoons on the beach, crabbing off the promenade and ice creams on the pier are part of everyday childhood here. For families moving with little ones, our guide to storage solutions for kids may come in handy once you are settling into a new home and working out where everything goes.
What about schools?
Worthing and the surrounding area have a good spread of primary and secondary schools, including several well-regarded options, along with Worthing College and the further education provision at Northbrook. As with anywhere, catchment areas matter, so if schools are a priority it is worth checking the specific catchments for the areas you are considering before you commit to a particular street. The local authority for the area is West Sussex County Council, whose admissions information is the most reliable starting point.
How are the transport links?
Worthing is well connected, which is part of what makes it work for people who need to commute. The town has three railway stations, Worthing, West Worthing and East Worthing, with regular services along the coast to Brighton, Chichester and Portsmouth, and direct trains to London Victoria taking in the region of an hour and a half. The A27 runs along the northern edge of the town, linking east towards Brighton and west towards Chichester and the A23 and M23 for London.
Within the town itself, much of Worthing is flat and walkable, particularly along the seafront, and there is a reasonable local bus network. Gatwick Airport is comfortably within reach by car or train, which is a real bonus for anyone who travels regularly.
Is Worthing by the sea worth it for the weather?
The south coast of England enjoys some of the sunniest and driest weather in the country, and Worthing benefits from this as much as anywhere. Sheltered to some degree by the South Downs, the town tends to be a touch milder than inland areas, and the long seafront makes the most of bright days throughout the year. Living by the sea has a quality of life dimension that is hard to put a price on: the air, the light, the walks and the simple pleasure of a horizon at the end of the road.
What is there to do in Worthing?
For a town of its size, Worthing offers plenty. The pier is a focal point, hosting events and home to the art deco Southern Pavilion. The Worthing Theatre and the Connaught provide a steady programme of shows and films, and the town has a lively calendar of festivals and markets through the year. The independent food and drink scene has grown considerably, with a good choice of cafes, restaurants, micropubs and bars.
Beyond the town, the South Downs National Park is on the doorstep for walking and cycling, Highdown Gardens offers a beautiful chalk garden with sea views, and the coast itself stretches for miles in both directions. Brighton, with all its additional culture, nightlife and shopping, is a short hop along the coast whenever you fancy a bigger day out, and our guide to discovering Brighton is worth a look if you want to explore the wider area.
How much does it cost to live in Worthing?
Worthing has traditionally offered better value than Brighton and the more expensive parts of the south coast, which is a large part of its appeal, though it has become more popular and sought-after in recent years. As ever, costs vary considerably by neighbourhood and property type, so the best advice is to spend time in the areas you are considering, talk to local estate agents, and look at current listings rather than relying on general figures. What most people find is that their money goes further here than in many comparable coastal towns, while still putting them within easy reach of London.
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What is the community like?
One of the things newcomers mention most is how welcoming Worthing feels. There is a strong sense of local pride, an active community of independent traders and creatives, and a busy programme of events that gives people reasons to get out and meet their neighbours. Whether through sports clubs, volunteering, the arts or simply being a regular at a particular cafe, people tend to find it easy to put down roots here.
What is the food and drink scene like?
Worthing's food and drink scene has been one of the clearest signs of the town's revival. Where once the options were limited, there is now a genuinely good spread of independent cafes, brunch spots, micropubs, wine bars and restaurants, particularly around the town centre and the streets running back from the seafront. The town has embraced the micropub movement enthusiastically, and you will find several small, characterful pubs focused on local ales and a friendly, conversational atmosphere. Seafood, unsurprisingly, features well given the coastal setting, and there is a growing number of places championing local and seasonal produce from across Sussex.
Markets add to the mix, with regular artisan and farmers' markets bringing local growers and makers into the town. For anyone who enjoys eating and drinking out, or simply a good coffee and a sea view, Worthing increasingly holds its own against far larger towns, and it does so without the prices or the crowds you might find a little further along the coast.
What about healthcare and amenities?
Worthing is well served when it comes to everyday amenities. Worthing Hospital provides acute services for the town and the surrounding area, and there is a good network of GP surgeries, dentists and pharmacies across the different neighbourhoods. The high street and the town's retail parks cover most shopping needs, from the major supermarkets to a healthy crop of independent shops, and the Guildbourne Centre and Montague Quarter anchor the main shopping area. Leisure facilities, libraries, gyms and sports clubs are all well represented, and the seafront itself doubles as the town's biggest free amenity, drawing walkers, runners, cyclists and families throughout the year.
How do I go about moving to Worthing?
Once you have found your new home, the practical business of moving is where we come in. As a family-run, fully covered removals company based nearby, with liability insurance up to £10 million, we move households into and around Worthing all the time and know the town's streets, parking and access quirks well. Whether you are coming from elsewhere in Sussex, from Surrey, Hampshire or Kent, or from further afield, we can handle the whole move for you.
For a full house move, our house removals service takes care of everything from packing to transport and unloading. If you are moving a smaller home, a single room or just a few larger items, our man-and-van service starts from £80 and is often the most cost-effective choice. And if there is a gap between your moving dates, or you are downsizing into the area, our secure storage bridges the gap neatly.
We always recommend planning a move in good time, and our guide to planning for a house move walks you through the timeline step by step. When you are ready, you can request a free, no-obligation quote or simply call us on 01903 893731 for a friendly chat about your move to Worthing. You can also browse all the areas we cover on our locations page.
What is the best time of year to move to Worthing?
There is no single perfect time to move to a seaside town like Worthing, but each season has its own character worth bearing in mind. Summer shows the town at its busiest and brightest, with the beach and seafront alive and the calendar full of events, though it is also the most popular time to move so removals dates can book up quickly. Spring and autumn tend to offer a happy medium, with quieter roads, milder weather and more flexibility on moving dates. Winter is the calmest season for moving, often with better availability, and it lets you see how a neighbourhood feels out of season, which can be telling.
Whenever you choose to move, the south coast weather is generally kind, but it is always worth keeping an eye on the forecast and protecting your belongings properly against the occasional wet or windy day. Whatever the season, booking your removals firm as early as you can is the surest way to secure the date you want.
How can I settle in quickly once I arrive?
Settling into a new town is as much about the early weeks as the move itself. Worthing makes this easy. Getting out along the seafront, exploring the independent shops and cafes around Montague and Warwick Street, joining a local club or class, and simply chatting to neighbours all help you put down roots faster than you might expect. The town's strong community spirit means there are plenty of ways in, from sports and the arts to volunteering and community events. Within a few weekends of arriving, most people find they have already discovered a favourite coffee spot, a regular walk and a few friendly faces, which is really what turns a new house into a home.
The verdict on Worthing
Worthing offers a rare combination of seaside living, good transport links, a genuine community and value for money, all within easy reach of both the South Downs and the bright lights of Brighton and London. It has shed its sleepy old reputation and become a town with real character and momentum, without losing the relaxed, friendly quality that drew people here in the first place. For families, downsizers, remote workers and anyone wanting a better pace of life by the sea, it is well worth a serious look, and when the time comes to make the move, we would be delighted to help you settle in.
Living in Worthing: Your Questions Answered — FAQs
Yes. Worthing offers seaside living with a relaxed pace, a growing independent food and drink scene, plenty of green space and the South Downs on its doorstep, all with good transport links to Brighton and London. Newcomers consistently praise the friendly community and the quality of life, and the town generally offers better value than nearby Brighton.
Popular areas include the town centre and seafront for those who want to be close to the shops and beach, West Worthing and Tarring for families, leafy Goring-by-Sea towards the west, community-focused Broadwater inland, and East Worthing for better value and good transport links. The right choice depends on whether you prioritise schools, value, quietness or proximity to the sea.
Direct trains from Worthing to London Victoria take in the region of an hour and a half, making the town a realistic option for those who commute occasionally or work a hybrid week. By road, the A27 connects to the A23 and M23 northbound, and Gatwick Airport is comfortably within reach by car or train.
Very much so. The beach, the South Downs, numerous parks and a good choice of schools make Worthing a popular place to raise children, alongside a strong network of clubs and community activities. Free family days out at Highdown Gardens, Beach House Park and along the seafront are part of everyday life here.
Yes. Wolves Removals is a family-run, fully covered removals firm based near Pulborough that regularly moves households into and around Worthing. We offer full house removals, a man-and-van service from £80, and secure storage, covering Worthing, the wider West Sussex area and beyond. Call 01903 893731 or request a free quote to get started.
