There’s no doubt the UK is a great place for expats. It’s a melting pot of different cultures while still feeling familiar, the wonders of Europe are right on the doorstep and if you love history, grandeur and spectacle, there’s nowhere better.
If you’re like me, though, the appeal of the UK isn’t just in its cities. When I first arrived, I was longing to explore the countryside, with its rolling hills, flowering meadows and enchanting woodlands – not to mention the charming villages and the eclectic mix of people to be found in them.
By a stroke of luck I ended up in Sussex, which as well as having a stunning coast and countryside is well connected to London and has a major airport right in the middle of it. It’s the perfect place for someone who wants to be near the big city but not in it, and is packed to the edges with historic treasures, natural wonders and quintessential English charm.
While Sussex isn't just one city, it's an entire area, there are a lot of great places to live here, all offering slightly unique lifestyles.
Let's dive right into what it's really like living in Sussex to see if this is your ideal destination in the UK, too.
Short on Time? Here’s the Cheat Sheet
💭Located between London and the English Channel and with easy access to Kent and Hampshire, Sussex offers the perfect mix of coast and country with easy access to the city and the European continent.
🏠Popular towns and cities to move to in Sussex include Chichester, Lewes, Littlehampton, Crawley, Worthing, Eastbourne and Brighton.
🛂Most expats who live here are on Skilled Worker, Youth Mobility or Ancestry visas.
☀️The weather in Sussex is milder than the rest of the country – while temperatures can get into the high 30s (95-100oF) in summer, it rarely snows in winter.
💸The cost of living is high, but still lower than in London. Depending on your accommodation, you may need as much as £1,500 - £2000 (US$1,900 – $2,500) per month.
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A Quick History Lesson
Sussex is, in fact, two counties, though it was originally a single kingdom founded by Saxons after the Romans left. Between them, they span nearly 1,500 square miles in the south east of the country.
Being on the coast it’s naturally been the location of several battles and invasions throughout history – most famously the Battle of Hastings in 1066 – and is dotted with castles and other military fortifications.
It was divided into East and West Sussex for administrative purposes in the late 19th century, and though a friendly rivalry exists between the two, culturally and geographically they remain very similar.
The Best Places to Live in Sussex
There are plenty of cities, towns and villages in Sussex to choose from, each with their own appeal. The best places to live will depend on what you’re into and what your priorities are.
Here are some of the best options:
- For trains to London: Chichester, Burgess Hill, Horsham and Crawley all have good train links to the capital, and are great options for young professionals who prefer a small town lifestyle.
- For history and charm: Lewes, Littlehampton, Hastings and Arundel all have castles and cobbled lanes to visit and explore.
- For the beach: Coastal towns like Worthing, Eastbourne and Bognor Regis have decent beaches and nightlife – though they do get very crowded in the warmer months.
- For walks: Choose somewhere with access to Ashdown Forest or the South Downs Way, such as Petersfield, Storrington, East Grinstead or Crowborough.
- For a bit of everything: Brighton is arguably the most diverse place in the UK, with residents from all over the world, a ton of students and a thriving LGBTQ+ community. It's got beaches, nightlife, markets, theatres and a huge variety of restaurants. Read our entire guide on what it's like living in Brighton.
Getting Around East & West Sussex
Despite the fact that locals complain about it constantly, public transport is actually pretty good here. Most towns have good rail connections and are commutable to London, and buses connect towns and villages throughout the countryside.
If you mainly travel between towns you can probably get by without a car (especially as parking can be tricky in built up areas), but if you plan to get out and about and explore more remote areas then you’ll find life much easier with your own transport.
Fun Things To Do in Sussex
Sussex is home to plenty of great things to do, providing you with plenty of opportunities for unique weekends and after work fun.
Enjoy the Nature
This part of the country is an absolute treasure trove of historic and natural sites. Almost two thirds of it is taken up by the South Downs National Park, with around 2,000 miles of walks and hiking trails overlooking the sea and chalk cliffs like Beachy Head.
We also have the Ashdown Forest (a.k.a. Winnie-the-Pooh’s Hundred Acre Wood), as well as 140 miles of coastline. And though you won't find sparkling, sandy beaches, the seaside towns have plenty of good vibes and there is some decent surf.
Embrace the History
Lovers of historic buildings will be very happy here, as there are Norman castles, medieval churches and roman villas to be found all over.
If you want to explore the past lives of the well-to-do there are some exceptionally well preserved country houses, including Petworth in the county of West Sussex and Bateman's in East Sussex. Many of these are run by the National Trust or English Heritage – consider an annual membership if you think you'll visit at least one per month.
Eat & Drink Up
Foodies and connoisseurs will also find plenty to do in Sussex – the milder climate along with our south facing slopes makes it ideal for grape growing, and the sparkling wine industry has grown exponentially in recent years.
There are craft breweries popping up all over the place, too, and on any weekend in summer you’ll find a brewery or vineyard open for tours, tastings and events.
Evade the Winter Gloom
And never fear the colder months, as there is still loads to do – Halloween celebrations are growing in popularity every year and Sussex is famous for its bonfire celebrations in early November.
In December, Christmas markets abound and all through the season you can escape into cozy pubs with roaring fires and steaming vats of mulled wine.
Job Hunting Tips
Most visas will require you to have a job lined up before you get here, but if you find yourself job hunting once you’ve arrived there are plenty of options.
The hospitality and construction industries are always understaffed, so if you have a trade or fancy yourself as a barhand, waiter, chef, or housekeeper you’ll never be out of work. The current minimum wage (which is set to increase in April 2025) is £11.44 an hour for adults aged 21 or over.
Sites like Seek, Indeed and Gumtree are good places to find work, and many industries have their own sites, such as Hospitality Jobs UK.
Visa Options to Live in the UK
There are literally dozens of options when it comes to getting a visa to work in the UK. The easiest way to figure out the best one for you is to use this handy UK Visa checking tool, but the most common visa categories are:
- Skilled Worker or Health and Care Worker
- Youth Mobility Scheme
- UK Ancestry
- Seasonal Worker
Most visas start with an initial period of two or five years, and some allow you to bring your family. The downside, though, is that most of them are super-expensive and require proof of savings.
Finding Properties in the Southeast
As with many other places, prices have risen exponentially in recent years. Competition for rental properties is fierce, so this is something you should definitely look into before you arrive.
Some jobs come with accommodation provided – for example if you find work on a farm, in a hotel or on an estate.
How to Get a Lease
To be accepted as a tenant, you generally need proof of employment, references and a guarantor. You’ll also need a deposit, usually equivalent to a month’s rent.
The average rent for new tenancies in Sussex is around £1,422 ($1,797) per month plus utilities, which is slightly higher than the national average but still much lower than London.
If you're looking to buy, property prices average around £430,000 ($534,000), though you'll find smaller apartments for around half that.
Money Saving Tips
To save money, you can find share accommodation on sites like Ideal Flatmate or Gumtree, and many apartments come already furnished.
If you commute to London or Brighton, rail passes will save you money, and most supermarkets offer almost-out-of-date food for greatly reduced prices – look out for yellow or orange stickers!
One Thing I Wish I'd Known About Living in Sussex
The sense of community is strong in both East and West Sussex, so once you’ve found your corner get out and get involved in your local area. There are clubs and societies for every kind of hobby, and most villages and towns have social media groups for sharing news and events.
Socializing with your colleagues, volunteering and even popping down to the local pub will help you to make new friends, and that – in my own experience – is the best way of all to truly learn how to live like a local.
Will You Move to Sussex?
For me, moving to Sussex has been the perfect combination of charming English life but close enough to a big city that when that itch pops up, I can easily scratch it. While I know most expats think of moving to London, Leeds, or Manchester (cities = jobs, right?), from my experience, you're overlooking a fantastic gem in the southeast.
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