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Original poster

winchester - can anyone give me some advice on which area to choose please?

23 replies

sfis · 03/09/2011 21:30

Hello
We are moving down from SW London in a month (renting, due to alarming speed of property sale after having been on for a year! plus to work out where to buy), and have seen 2 places, but not sure which to go for - one in St Cross and one in Teg Down area...
I have a 2 yr old and a 4 month old and am at home so I thought I wanted to be near shops/toddler groups/docs/playgrounds for entertainment/being able to meet people.....so Teg Down suits as near waitrose, sure start centre etc .. but then the st cross house is lovely but not sure if its too quiet, having been used to everything on my doorstep in london??

Also my 2yr old currently goes to a nursery 1 day a week and was looking for advice on a good one in either of these areas.
DH will be commuting so both a bike ride to the station...
Any advice greatly appreciated
thanks

OP posts:

CurwySwide · 03/09/2011 23:13

I would say that Teg Down is a newer part of the city and has more of a 'housing estate' feel to it if you know what I mean. St. Cross is a much older part of the city and has quite a different 'villagey' feel to it, but neither is that far from the city centre as Winchester is a relatively small city. If it were me, I would go for St. Cross, but that is because I like the old city/Winchester feel of it; Teg Down could be in any number of towns/cities (my opinion of course!). There are loads of young families everywhere, and once you register with a GP your health visitor will be able to tell you where parent/toddler groups etc. meet.

With regards to nurseries, there are a number of very good ones in Winchester - some are more difficult to get into than others - but I would take a look at Hampshire County Council's website for info about different providers:

www3.hants.gov.uk/childcare

You are more than welcome to PM me if you'd like more local info - I have lived here for quite some time and have a three year old so have good knowledge of the city and its facilities. And welcome - Winchester is lovely!

Gonzo33 · 04/09/2011 06:04

I totally agree with CurwySwide St.Cross would be my preference as well. Winchester is a lovely place.

I lived down the road in Eastleigh for many many years so am happy to answer questions too.

Original poster

sfis · 04/09/2011 09:14

Ladies
That is really helpful thankyou, and you are reassuring me even more that Winchester is a lovely place! That is a very good point about - you could be anywhere in Teg Down, I hadnt thought of it that way.
I am rubbish with change and I think the thought of having nothing very nearby and not knowing anyone (after living in London with everything within walking distance and lots of friends) is scaring me a bit. However we are moving,and Winchester looks so lovely - I think I am going to have to be brave! I did prefer the look of St Cross...but didn't see anybody out with prams when we went, there is a primary school though so not sure where everyone was hiding!
Thanks

OP posts:

southchinasea · 04/09/2011 16:36

St Cross is lovely. And there are lots of families there- especially in the roads around St Faith's primary. There's a really nice walk into town on a path alongside the water meadows- from St Cross church for a mile or so to winchester college and then you could either turn along the river or through the cathedral grounds- your husband could probably cycle to the station this way too. Winchester is a beautiful place to live. Other central areas you could consider- Fulflood (v near the station), Hyde and the Old city/ Cathedral streets. There's a nice little playground on Culver road and bigger playgrounds are Abbey gardens and Oram's arbor. I think there's a playgroup in St Faith's church hall on Back St nr the allotments? You can walk to the high street- Sainsbury's etc in 15- 20 mins from St Cross so it's not too far out. Good luck with your move.

Original poster

sfis · 04/09/2011 20:02

Thankyou southchinasea, I think Fulflood would have been ideal but no properties came up at all in any price range!
I am looking forward to this now, even if still a bit apprehensive - are there any good places to meet new friends (), apart from playgroups (or any particularly friendly playgroups)?
thanks

OP posts:

mistressploppy · 04/09/2011 20:11

The play park at Riverpark leisure centre is nice and friendly. The Surestart centre on Bereweeke Rd ('Lanterns') is great too - they do drop in sessions on most days, the best being Mon and Fri mornings.

Sproglets aside, um - the pub?? Our favourite is the Black Boy

Sariska · 04/09/2011 21:17

YY to the Black Boy - maybe I've seen you in there, MistressPloppy? Also the Hyde Tavern ( and Hyde is a nice place to live), The Corner House (also has a book group and a sewing circle that meet there) and, my favourite, The Wykham Arms.

I'd also go for St Cross over Teg Down although I'm sure you get more house for your money, whether rental or buying in Teg Down.

Agree that there's lots going on. I recommend the NCT's Bumps and Babies (toddlers welcome too) on Mondays 10-12 at Holy Trinity Church Hall in the City Centre and Hyde Tots at Hyde Parish hall on Thursdays. I've also really enjoyed Waterbabies and baby massage at the SureStart centre.

mistressploppy · 04/09/2011 21:27

Could be, Sariska! Although we have a toddler and live in Twyford now, so we don't get there as often as I'd like. I was previously living in Fulflood and DH in Hyde, and I think we both miss being 'central'.

Sariska · 04/09/2011 21:35

I live in Hyde too - really like being so central (although being so close to the shops is proving an almost daily exercise in willpower) but we are planning a move out to one of the villages. Question is which one and whether we wait until DC are both at school (3 years to go....assuming we stick at two).

Have you looked at Hyde, Op? There's a couple of decent nurseries there: one by the leisure centre (name escapes me at the moment, sorry ) and Hartley House Montessori.

Original poster

sfis · 07/09/2011 22:02

Thankyou - we have decided - off to st cross next month! so hopefully see some of you at the venues suggested! thankyou for all your suggestions.

OP posts:

mistressploppy · 07/09/2011 22:16

Hooray! You'll love it.

CurwySwide · 08/09/2011 09:03

Good luck with the move!

MogandMe · 08/09/2011 09:17

We're in Harestock - maybe we should arrange a MNET Winchester meet up ?

mistressploppy · 08/09/2011 13:12

Look, more Winchies! I'd be up for a meet-up if anyone else is...

MogandMe · 08/09/2011 19:22

CurwySwide · 09/09/2011 09:20

Me too - be good to put faces to names!

Original poster

sfis · 09/09/2011 16:20

excellent - when we get in, ill let you know!

OP posts:

CurwySwide · 09/09/2011 20:12

There is a thread in the Winchester local pages on MN where there are more local mums wanting to meet - Mogandme - I think you are in there? Perhaps (not sure how!) we could co-ordinate the two threads for a meet up? Just a thought!

mistressploppy · 09/09/2011 20:13

Right, see you all on that thread then

mistressploppy · 09/09/2011 20:16

this one

mistressploppy · 09/09/2011 20:16

Was that the one you meant, Curwy?

CurwySwide · 09/09/2011 23:14

Yes - see you all there!

mistressploppy · 10/09/2011 19:12

Bump

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