Homelessness in Winchester City Centre- honest views needed

[cheesecakeandchocplease]

Hi there, I am contemplating moving from London to Winchester with my young family.

During a day trip I was quite shocked at the high visible homeless presence on the High Street.

Can I ask honestly for those that live here - does it become difficult at night? How do you find this- is it something that has increased recently with the impact of the pandemic? Can you/teenagers go out and does it cause any problems?

So sorry for the very blunt post. I know homelessness is , sadly, everywhere, I suppose I wasn't expecting the level I saw. This is a a big, long term move for us so I want to get it right.

Honest views appreciated please - Winchester seems to have some so many fantastic reasons to live near/there - would love some feedback.

TIA x

Bump!

I've lived in a few cities with high homelessness and street begging - I don't see that it causes any additional issues around safety at night? In my experience they, just like you, are hoping you will leave them in peace and fearful for their own safety. I think you have some ideas that homeless people = predators and thugs but that just isn't the case - I'd be much more wary of drunk men on a night out!

Yes that's a really good point 😊

There aren't so many of them around at night; there's a homeless night shelter next to the library. I'd be more concerned about the pissed people causing trouble at night.

Thank you so much @SuperSange that is really good to know.
How do you find Winchester to live? We thought it was gorgeous when we went to see it!

I’ve never heard of problems from the homeless here. As someone said, most head off to the shelter in the evening. It’s generally a very peaceful, crime free city.
My daughter was a fast food delivery driver for a while and used to get the odd inappropriate comment but it was always from creepy blokes in big houses not the homeless.

It is gorgeous and almost all of us are luffly!

@Velvetbee ah that is really good to know. Sadly I can imagine the comments for your daughter😢
That is so wonderful you love living there. Very excited to potentially move down!

I grew up there and visit my mum regularly there. Homelessness is very visible there because its such a small but wealthy place, but I've never witnessed any related trouble. The army lads who descend on the pubs on Friday nights are - in my experience - more likely to cause issues.

@DiscoStusMoonboots that is so good to hear, thank you! Haha yes I can imagine those Friday nights!

Will you be living in the city, or just out? It is a lovely city, but it's very different living somewhere. The high street is half empty of shops and there's a big development starting in the city centre. Mind you, they'd been starting for 20 years now, so no panic. 😂

@SuperSange we are looking more centrally but open to outside too. That is interesting- is it a housing development? Where we live at the moment there is so much development going on so nothing new to us! Haha yes can imagine the ongoing 20 year plans🙈

It's more smartening up the tatty end of town where the bus station currently is. Shops/flats, etc. Trouble is, the high street is dying on it's arse and there's already a shopping centre that's virtually empty, so The retail plans are changing. For decent shopping you need to go to Soouthampton or Basingstoke. It's a shame, the shops used to be good, but high rents and covid have taken a toll. The University/ies are buying up alnd and building flats left, right and centre, so that's clearly the way forward, the student pound.

@SuperSange interesting - I didn't know about all this. Mumsnet is a gem for insider info! Thank you 😊