HELP IN RELOCATING.Moving to Hampshire with family??

[Babedestiny]

Hi Everyone,
i need your honest reviews if you stay in Hampshire area.We are currently in Wales and thinking of RELOCATING to Hamsphire region.We have never been to Hampshire region but looking up on the net, i have heard both great and bad reviews of the area which is not surprising as every areas are bound to have that.Love Winchester but unfortunately is too over our budget.I have a daughter who is 6 years old and a son with special needs who is 14 months old.I do not drive and will need to use the bus regularly.Hubby is just finishing his last year in the Army and we need to BUY A HOUSE soon.
Which part of Hampshire is cheap and family friendly with local buses nearby and schools within walking distance.Thank you so much in advance.

There are loads of us on here who live in Chandlers Ford, Romsey, Southampton area so I'm sure you'll get a few recommendations for here.

We moved to Hampshire 4 years ago and really like it. It combines being near the sea, near the New Forest and South Downs, by the M3/ M27 for quick motorway access to other parts of the world and close to Winchester for loveliness and Southampton for shops and theatre.

Fareham area

In between the two cities of Portsmouth and Southampton, lots to do, some nicer village type areas (stubbington, alver stoke, wickham etc)

Near the sea, good links to the rest of the country

Can't think of anything else...I would be rubbish as an estate agent

Fareham area fits your requirements as you have stated

I live in Portsmouth and I love it. I've got easy access to the M27, A3 and M3, good train links, and there is so much going on here. We have lots of things to do, plenty of beautiful parks, lovely beaches both here and nearby, and ferry access to the Isle of Wight, France and Spain. You have a range of areas to live in - Southsea is rather nice, but pricey, or you could live in Farlington or Drayton on the outskirts (mainland, not on Portsea island) and there are some very nice houses there. Have a look at the Mumsnet Local Portsmouth site - it's a good one with lots of information on it and the editor does a local blog as well.
local.mumsnet.com/portsmouth

Did someone mention me . Hi Babedestiny, I can definitely recommend Portsmouth for the needs you describe. We have an excellent bus service, it's a small city and easy to get around and we have sooooo much going on. Do come and have a look at the site (link above - thank you NumTum and here's a feature I did aaages ago. www.mumsnet.com/things-to-do/site-of-the-week-portsmouth

May as well plug the blog whilst I'm here.

Hampshire is a huge county. You need to consider jobs surely, if your husband is leaving the Army?

Look at where he's likely to get work then narrow it down to areas. No point moving to Fareham for example if he needs to work in Andover or Ringwood.

I lived in Southsea and loved it - the sea and common are great and there's loads going on. The downsides are that it can take forever to drive out of Portsmouth and gardens tend to be tiny.

Hampshire is a huge county and there are many different places. Do you want sea/pretty village/forest/urban/countryside? Will you want to visit family in Wales often?

I lived in the Portsmouth area for a few years and although I quite liked it for things to do, it takes ages to get anywhere else and is fairly isolated. I wouldnt live in the centre, Fareham is nice, Havant is perhaps a better bet, good schools and on the train line to places like Chichester which is beautiful.

Will your husband be looking for a job with MOD, there are lots of sites around Portsmouth/Fareham/Gosport and again around Andover. Andover is far more central and there is loads going on in the area, I suppose without driving though it wont appeal and pretty it aint!!

Whats your budget?

Thank you so much for the helpful message.My hubby is looking at security and driver jobs around Southampton.Our budget is

You won't be likely to get as much house for your money in most of Hampshire as you would in Wales. There are some lovely places in Hampshire, but they'll have prices to match. I'm currently living in Basingstoke mostly because it's cheaper than living in Whitchurch or Romsey was (also it's convenient for work - price isn't the only factor.)

You could try Eastleigh, or places on the edge of Southampton like Netley, Hedge End or Totton. (Postcodes SO50, SO31, SO32 I think if you want to Google/Rightmove them) They are near enough for easy work access and lower house prices that the Forest but not right in the city. Having said that, I live 10 minutes drive from the city centre and love it where I am. I have lived in other parts though that weren't so nice so have a good look first.

*than the Forest.

It's been a long day!

Feel free to pm me if I can be of any help.

I think eastleigh is better value too and better without a car. I don't think you can survive in chandlers ford without driving. It is more a commuter suburb without much at all within normal walking distances, and the public transport is dire.

Or any parts within Southampton with good transport. I used to live in Highfield. Great transport and we didn't have a car. But it will be over your budget I believe.

Thank you so much.I am looking at Eastleigh area at the moment and will definately look at tge postcode you have mentioned.Great start for me.
Do you know area in So16?
Studland Rd
Lordswood
Swafield Rd
Wittering Rd
Fairisle Rd
Wimpson Lane
Aldermoor

Muddlewitch how can I pm you if I need more info pls.Thanks :)