Renting in Retirement in West Sussex

Posted 2nd July 2024

Exploring retirement communities in West Sussex

West Sussex provides a wonderful location for retirement living. With plenty of heritage sites, beaches, forests and cities, you will find a welcoming back drop for your choice of retirement lifestyle.

Traveling around the county is relatively easy, with A roads connecting towns and cities by either car or bus. Foreign holidays are easy with Gatwick Airport within easy reach.

There is an eclectic mix of activities you can enjoy in West Sussex. These include sailing, bowls, golf, fishing and cricket. There are a wealth of smaller clubs that welcome participation along with annual events, such as the vintage motor-racing event, Goodwood Revival.

West Sussex is situated in the southeast of England. Bordered by Surrey to the north, East Sussex to the east and Hampshire to the north. The county has approximately fifty miles of coastline running alongside the English Channel to the south.

This county has repeatedly recorded the sunniest days on average. West Sussex has long been noted as one of the best places to enjoy an active retirement lifestyle.

Retiring to the coast in West Sussex

There are some well-known seaside towns in West Sussex, most notably Worthing, Littlehampton and Bognor Regis. The beaches are predominantly pebbles which means that the sea is amongst the cleanest in the country.

Worthing seafront has an iconic pier that was built in the Art Deco period. It’s a vibrant and lively town, with plenty of options for shopping, eating and entertainment.

Bognor Regis is another popular town to retire to. It has a sandy beach and its own pier and has lots of parks in the local area to enjoy. There’s a wide variety of shops from high street chains to the olde Bognor Rock Shop, so plenty there for your everyday essentials.

Littlehampton is in between Bognor Regis and Worthing and has two award-winning beaches. The main beach has undergone extensive modernisation over recent years and now features ‘the Stage by the Sea’. Here, they feature musicians of all genres against the backdrop of the sea. There’s a selection of shops and a supermarket on hand.

Retiring to a city in West Sussex

Chichester is the only city in West Sussex and it the county town. It’s a Roman cathedral city and the heritage from this era is evident to see all around the city. There’s an amphitheatre which is now a park and there is part of an old Roman road which originally linked the city to London.

The city centre itself is mostly pedestrianised and has a wealth of shops on offer, as you would expect. There’s lots of places to grab a coffee or get something to eat.

The cathedral has stood for over nine centuries. The monastery was founded by St. Wilfrid in 681. After two fires in 1114 and 1187, the stone roof was added in place of the wooden one. Chichester has the only surviving detached medieval bell tower.

You can also visit the harbour, which is a large and natural harbour. There’s both designated cycle paths and miles of footpaths where you can enjoy being active. It’s also a Dark Skies area, where lights don’t pollute into the sky, so it’s great for stargazing.

Retiring to a town in West Sussex

A popular town to retire to is East Grinstead, an ancient market town in the picturesque county of West Sussex. Local amenities are a close walk away, including the local shops, a post office, and a library. There is a selection of local GP Surgeries in the area, along with a choice of dental surgeries.

Living in East Grinsted during retirement is popular, and it’s clear to see why. The town is situated on a sandstone ridge beside the Ashdown Forest and sits within the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

The East Grinsted Museum tells you all about the fascinating history of the town, and the people who shaped it. The medieval high street boasts a variety of independent shops, cafes, bars, and restaurants.

There are loads of events occurring in the area throughout the year. The local heritage Bluebell Railway runs for 11 miles from East Grinstead to Sheffield Park Station in Uckfield, with multiple stops in between. Standen House and Garden, a National Trust property, is an Arts & Crafts family home, with renowned designer William Morris & Co. original interiors on display. If you’re an animal lover, there are over 40 native species at the British Wildlife Centre in nearby Lingfield.

The town and surrounding areas are rich with culture and heritage. There are excellent transport links with a regular bus service and a nearby train station. Being only 27 miles from London, getting further afield is easy, as is welcoming visiting friends and family.

Discover your new retirement rental apartment in West Sussex.