West Sussex

West Sussex is a county that has something for everyone. Whether you love the hustle and bustle of London and want somewhere in easy commuting distance, or prefer the peace and tranquillity of rural life, West Sussex has it all! There are many different towns and villages scattered across this beautiful county. From Eastbourne to Worthing, there is no shortage of charming little places with great schools, shopping centres, local amenities and lots more!

4.42
Average Location Score

Excellent

55%

Very Good

33%

Average

10%

Disappointing

1%

Very Poor

0%

Best places to live in West Sussex

HomeViews Top Rated Development ranking takes into account the Star Rating and HomeViews Transparency Rating of every development in the area

Chichester outdoor museum

Where is West Sussex?

West Sussex is located in the south of England, bordering Hampshire to the north, Surrey and Kent to the east, and East Sussex to the south. It is a large county, measuring almost 900 square miles!

Areas in West Sussex

There are many different areas in West Sussex that prospective home buyers might be interested in. Here is a brief overview of some of the most popular:

The South Downs Area – this area is over 500 square miles and stretches all the way from Hampshire to Eastbourne. It has some beautiful countryside, rolling hills and plenty of spectacular views on offer! There are many quaint villages within its boundaries as well as picturesque market towns such as Midhurst.

Eastbourne – Eastbourne is situated on the south coast of England near Brighton. It has beautiful beaches with wonderful views over the English Channel, popular day trips out including historical sites such as Beachy Head & Birling Gap or castles like Bodiam Castle.

 

Chichester Cathedral

Worthing – Worthing is the largest town in West Sussex. It has a wonderful beach, plenty of shopping opportunities along its high street and lots of events & shows taking place throughout the year. The town is also home to Pallant House Gallery which houses an extensive collection of artwork by modern British artists.

Universities in West Sussex

West Sussex is home to a number of universities, including:

The University of Sussex – Located in Brighton, the University of Sussex is a highly respected university with over 12,000 students. The university specialises in a number of areas, including social sciences, law, business & management and the arts.

The University of Chichester – With campuses in the city of Chichester and nearby Bognor Regis, the University of Chichester offers undergraduate and postgraduate courses in a range of subjects, including arts, humanities, business & management, sciences and sport.

Brighton & Sussex Medical School – One of the most well regarded medical schools in the UK, Brighton & Sussex Medical School is a joint venture between the University of Sussex and the University of Brighton.

Top Schools in West Sussex

Countryside in West Sussex

There are also a number of top schools located in the county, including:

The Weald School (Horsham) – A state school for boys and girls aged from 11 to 18, the Weald has a reputation for excellence and regularly features in top national school league tables.

Steyning Grammar School (Steyning) – A former specialist Arts College, the school also places emphasis on STEM subjects such as maths, science and technology to ensure students are well equipped with key skills needed by employers.

Forest School (Worthing) – A co-educational, non-selective school that takes pupils from the ages of four to 18. Forest School is one of the UK’s most eco-friendly schools, with an onsite lake and woodland area.

Kitebrook School (Ascot) – An independent day school for girls aged three to 18 years old that aims to prepare students for their future lives as successful women. The school also offers boarding facilities for pupils who live out of the area.

Population of West Sussex

West Sussex is home to a population of just over 900,000 people. While the south and east of the county are more densely populated, there are plenty of rural areas in West Sussex, which are popular with families because of the low crime rates and excellent schools.

 

Reviews in West Sussex

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Not the dream we were sold. Renter beware.

Verified Resident
Verified Resident
Review Date Mar 2024

Very little available on foot. The park is a welcome addition, albeit it was over a year late. Leaf appeared to do little to help speed this along.

Please review your development:

The property management does not feel at all like it did when we were sold rhe property.

Firstly, parking. We constantly receive letters asking to not park on the road outside our homes. The only issue is the car ports are so small, families can’t get children out without damaging doors or climbing across interiors.
Gardens are unusable in the winter. Apparently this is acceptable to leaf. The irony being while residents face lawns that are bogs and brown, leaf say it is due to waterlogging and poor weather (I.e. they won’t fix) but simultaneously trying to get those who move out to pay for a full returf. The two aren’t matching up.

We were really hopeful moving in. We were sold a dream. But the reality is this is a very poorly managed property. The rents are astronomical (much higher than private rentals on the same estate with other smaller agents) , the 24/7 property management is a bit laughable to be honest. The “negotiation” on rents we were promised when first moving in is more of an ultimatum, and the emails everyone gets are “pay this huge increase or leave”. And good luck getting that with the 2 month notice we were all told. It was more like 6 weeks and when we reply, it takes another good 2 weeks and chasing to get replies.

All in all, this is a disappointment. Flooded roads, all winter long. Selfish developers blocking driveways when we need to leave for work, leaving us late for work, a non existent property maintenance team, unusable Gardens for 6 months of the year. The houses are warm, I’ll give them that. And relatively cheap heating. But honestly, I am very disappointed with leaf living.

Please share one thing (or more) which you wish you had known before you moved in:

Kitchen storage is very small, and we are luckier than many with how much we have. If you enjoy cooking you will find it a nightmare.

Parking ports are very narrow, most family cars struggle to open both doors easily.

The car port charger is a 3 pin plug. Not a proper e charger. Utterly unsafe and not effective. Definitely angry over that as we were specifically told there would be e chargers in the car ports.

How has the building management responded to any problems or issues you have raised:

Poorly. As mentioned, they are happy to bill everyone when moving out for items, but for those who are living here with the exact same issues, the fixes are non existent

3
Facilities
1
Design
2
Location
1
Value
1
Management
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Bad choice and stuck.

Verified Resident
Verified Resident
Review Date Mar 2024

A good location for beautiful scenery close to big supermarket.

The only issue is all the road works.

Please review your development:

Property management are by far the worst I have ever had the displeasure of dealing with.
Everything in the home seems cheap and broken, trying to get help from leaf, is almost impossible.
Their attitude they give their tenants is rude and belittling, (if you don’t like it move) is the normal response.

The rent is always going up, even with any outstanding issues.

I would say, be careful with the smile you receive in moving into a property, because that smile is a smirk!

Even if you want to move out, they have hit other tenants with bills to pay for the issues that where already existing.

Please share one thing (or more) which you wish you had known before you moved in:

The community is great but I wish I didn’t move in, because of all the problems and the attitude from the landlord is so, so poor!!!!

How has the building management responded to any problems or issues you have raised:

With a rude attitude and just tell you to leave if you don’t like the way they see fit.

2
Facilities
3
Design
5
Location
2
Value
1
Management
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As a disabled person it’s very easy for me to get out and about

Verified Resident
Verified Resident
Review Date Mar 2024

Megan is amazing
She’s so very helpful
The man in the office is so very helpful and kind
I’m so very happy with the help I’ve had
As a disabled person I was concerned about getting about but it’s all flat which means I’ll not be house bound
Thank you very much for a beautiful property

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Great very happy to seeing what is going to be built
Not really sure what you want me to write here but overall as a disabled person it’s very easy for me to get out and about as it’s very flat which is perfect for me and means I’m not housebound as I was before. Looking forward to seeing what shops et cetera are going to be made.

Please share one thing (or more) which you wish you had known before you moved in:

Don’t really know what to say as I don’t know anything about neighbors but it’s very quiet.

How has the building management responded to any problems or issues you have raised:

Management
What can I say
Megan is incredible. So very helpful and caring

5
Facilities
5
Design
5
Location
5
Value
5
Management
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new development in good location

Verified Resident
Verified Resident
Review Date Jan 2024

There is a pub and a couple of fast food restaurants within walking distance, as well as a Shell station with a Little Waitrose that comes in handy. It’s a short drive to nearby towns and villages, and there is a bus stop just in front of the estate. The A27 is very easily accessed. The estate is still being built, so there is heavy machinery that drives up and down the street during the week.

Please review your development:

Our experience with the letting agent when viewing and leasing our home was great. Some maintenance requests were handled quickly and efficiently, others took some follow up to resolve. A new park has recently been opened on the estate, which is a fantastic amenity for the community. The neighbors are generally lovely and helpful.

Please share one thing (or more) which you wish you had known before you moved in:

I wish I knew when the development would be completed.

How has the building management responded to any problems or issues you have raised:

Some issues were responded to and resolved quickly, others were not.

1
Facilities
4
Design
4
Location
3
Value
1
Management
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Manager Response

Thank you for leaving a review, we really value your feedback. Please can you send us an email at lettings@leafliving.com with more information and your contact details so we can look into this for you.