Rottingdean.
Loads of pubs, picturesque and if it was any closer to the sea it would be the sea. Also a short bike ride/longer walk to the amex. And it's got windmill. And countryside.
Whilst looking myself at areas (Im moving to Eastbourne after 10 yrs away from Sussex) Bexhill popped up as quite a nice looking place to be, whats it like there anyone? Worthy of a day trip with the kids? Is the beach sandy?
Ok, thanks NSC, Crawley it is.....
I had never thought about Arundel but looks a really good fit with Climping nearby, avoiding the inmates.
Also Rottingdean, ticks several of the boxes especially the sea.
Steyning, Upper Beeding and Ditchling are great options.
Lewes too big? Cuckfield passport and local characters appealing but too inland i think. So many others.
I might do a week trip including Rottingdean, Ditchling, Steyning and Uppper Beeding then Arundel. As well as some of the seaside towns recomended.
Whilst looking myself at areas (Im moving to Eastbourne after 10 yrs away from Sussex) Bexhill popped up as quite a nice looking place to be, whats it like there anyone? Worthy of a day trip with the kids? Is the beach sandy?
Ferring?
Very good community and amenities for those of, ahem, advancing years.
Might want to do some research before moving to Bexhill. May have been nice once upon a time.
I was going to suggest Crawley.
Ferring has a fabulous village identity, not as many pubs as the OP might like but otherwise answers all the questions with nearby Worthing (Goring by Sea), Rustington and Angmering. Wonderful area, on the seashore and adjacent the South Downs, especially wonderful if you have a dog to exercise.
Some NSC advice would be helpful.
After several decades away I’m thinking that perhaps i should return to Sussex. I used to live in Hove but I’m thinking more of a small town or large village. Needs to have a thriving community, so pubs (maybe three or four), some shops, a few restaurants etc. Ideally on or close to the sea but not necessarily. Needs to be sellable to the better half who quite likes picturesque.
Where in Sussex would you recommend me to check out?
you get to go past Ford open prison on the way too, and this place!
Do what me and the Mrs did when we decided to move down. We started the other side of Worthing and then headed along the coast and near coast towns and villages (missing out B&H) all the way to Hastings. Took us 3 days (staying in a couple of very nice places en route) but at the end of it we were pretty well decided between two places ... it was then just waiting for the right house to show up