Experiences of Living in Winchester

[Designhelp]

Any black mumsnetters in Winchester? Anyone have any experience of living in Winchester as a black person.

I lived there once temporarily for a job - I'm not Black but I had one Black friend from Winchester (he moved there from London as a student). He was literally the only Black person around and he used to joke about how he was famous in Winchester because of it.

Thanks @Evianna83 are we talking a long time ago?

It was 10 years ago.

It's a very white area, and very white wealthy middle class, switching between Tory and a lib dem MP so in that sense like a lot of commuter towns outside of London.

Depending on your context eg where you're moving from and your current place of residence the demographic may or may not be a shock to the system I guess!

Hi
Previously lived in the Midlands suburbs, Brighton and London suburbs due to the rotational nature of my job.
Yes I notice that it is very white but I work for the hospitals which of course have a more diverse population of staff so you often forget.

I found it to be either white and snobby antique dealers or white and boring crusties. We met one chap in the pub who proudly pulled his shirt off to show his tattoos and half of him had been tattooed solid black as he had gone off the tattoos underneath. And he was all while and wobbly. Ewww!

It's a very white middle class area . I've been many times and never seen a blank person

Black

Yes, the only black people in Winchester are hospital staff and most of them reside in Basingstoke.

Interesting, I have devided to go ahead with the property purchase (Littleton, Winchester) though as areas remain like this if no black people choose to move to these places. Have spent a lot weekends this summer exploring the countryside walks along the river Itchen and really love the area. I plan to join some local groups to make friends that way.

Ah @Designhelp good for you and I hope it works out. I was reading this with interest as I have relatives that live there.

Re the River Itchen walks, I can wholeheartedly recommend the most picturesque pub right on the river - the Bush Inn in Ovington. It is stunning and is beautifully situated on the river with a little bridge out the back. Some lovely walks fro there too, fresh trout and fresh watercress.

Hope you enjoy it and it works out.

It would be my belief that you will experience little to no racism in Winch. I live 7 miles to the SW. My estate (v middle class) is largely white but also has many non-white families. Why? The local secondary, Thornden, is the best performing (academically) in Hants; vies with Kings in Winch. So, what 'unites' us all, of all races and nationalities, is a 'middle class' approach to our DCs education. That trumps skin colour by a lot, here.

A lot of my (non-white) neighbours tend to be doctors and health care professionals, Southampton General and Winchester.

White and snobby. I am half asian.

Yes, I think you'll see more snobbery than racism!

Hi Designhelp

How did your move go?

We are in a similar position. I'm black hubby is white and we have 2 boys. Keen for diversity for us all but love winchester... my feeling is the more of us move into winchester the more diverse it will get. But wouldn't mind a lack of diversity if people were warm friendly and inclusive. How have you found it since your move?

Hi NMCK9

Yes our move has gone ok so far. I am enjoying local facilities and the new leisure centre.
I would recommend and don't let the diversity issue worry you as with kids you would find it easy to settle and make new friends. I am also for more black people being encouraged to move to areas like Winchester as they have a lot to offer. PM if you would like to know more.

Glad you decided to buy, we are moving down to Winchester and we were a little worried about this too. My husband is British Nigerian and I'm white British. We currently live in Yorkshire. We're looking at Littleton and other villages.