Is Crawley a Nice Place to Live?

The market town of Crawley in West Sussex offers the perfect balance between city life and the countryside. The local economy thrives from the vibrant shops in town benefiting residents and visitors alike. In addition to modern leisure amenities such as a sports centre with state-of-the-art facilities, there are picturesque parks for a stroll in nature.

If you want to move to Crawley, you will find our blog useful. Here, we have covered the different aspects of life in this Sussex town to give you a glimpse of what it’s like to live here.

The transport links in Crawley are excellent making it an ideal town for commuters. In addition to its proximity to Gatwick, there are trains to London terminals such as Victoria and London Bridge, which are just over half an hour long. On the weekends, soak up some Brighton sunshine by hopping on the Southern train line. 

Metrobus services are available throughout the day with routes covering every part of town. The M23 motorway offers smooth road connectivity for those looking to get behind the wheel.

Some of the richest green spaces in Sussex can be found in Crawley. Crawley Memorial Gardens, Goffs Park, and Tilgate Country Park are noteworthy. But nothing rivals the stunning Tilgate Park which is the locals’ favourite. In addition to walled gardens and a maze, the stunning Tilgate Park houses a forest!

Watch reindeer over the Christmas period or spend a day with meerkats and otters at the Tilgate Nature Centre. The site also offers educational tours and birthday packages meaning there will always be something exciting to do.

There are several good primary and secondary schools in Crawley as well as colleges. Manor Green Primary and Maidenbower Infant have been rated as “Outstanding” by Ofsted. Some other primary schools with an Ofsted rating of “Good” are Broadfield Primary, Bewbush Academy, and The Brook School. Similarly, secondary schools such as Oakwood and Oriel High have also been rated “Good” by Ofsted. Independent schools such as Cottesmore and Worth School are also good options. 

There is no dearth of leisure amenities in Crawley. From vibrant shops and restaurants to excellent fitness facilities, Crawley’s recreational opportunities offer the best work-life balance. 

The food scene in Crawley is vibrant with a variety of cuisines. From the historic Parsons Pig pub to wood-fired pizza at The Real Pizza Company and vegan options at the Sage café, Crawley’s restaurants offer mouth-watering delicacies. 

The County Mall Shopping Centre's vast array of coffee shops, chocolate shops, footwear, and clothing stores meets multiple needs. 

Outside of Crawley town centre is a performing arts centre called the Hawth. The complex houses a studio, a theatre, a Curzon cinema, an amphitheatre, two bars, and a café all-in-one. There is also an exhibition space in the foyer. Be it film screenings, live music, or art exhibitions, there is no shortage of entertainment at the Hawth. 

The green spaces in Crawley call for fun-filled activities in nature. If you love an adrenaline rush, Southern Pursuits is a must-try.  From hovercraft riding to Argocat driving and quad biking, the outdoor adventure offered at Southern Pursuits cannot be found in any nearby cities. Plus, they are budget-friendly and diverse which means you won’t get bored or have to worry about spending too much. 

With brilliant south coast sunshine, good life expectancy, and low crime levels, properties in Crawley are highly sought after. The good news is that despite being competitive in terms of prospective buyers and tenants, the housing market offers significant discounts. For instance, a 5-bed property could cost as low as £500,000!

With so much to offer, it is no surprise that the town’s population has increased rapidly. Did you know that Crawley’s population has gone up by 11,900 between Census 2011 and 2021?

If you’re yet to make up your mind about which neighbourhood to live in, check out our blog on the best areas to live in Crawley.

With weekdays in London and beach days in Brighton, the commuter town of Crawley is highly sought-after by prospective residents looking to relocate out of nearby cities. The scenic views of the Sussex countryside and modern amenities such as excellent transport links undoubtedly make Crawley a nice place to live.

If you are looking to move to Crawley, you will be pleased to know that we have a self-storage unit in Horsham. With our storage for moving house, you can keep those nerves at bay by being prepared for your move-in. Brainstorm some ideas for your new home with our home renovations guide.