Fareham

[orangefuzz]

We're moving back to the UK and looking for houses around the Fareham area - the children will be at school in Stubbington. I've heard a lot of mixed reviews about Fareham itself. Any areas you stay away from or would make a beeline for?

I’m interested in that as well - have you managed to uncover any info?
We’re looking into Warsash and Locks Heath as well as Stubbington and Lee.

I'd love to live in lee on Solent. It's my day dream. But also regularly look at Stubbington and over to Warsash.
Wouldn't be so keen on Fareham and definitely not Gosport but Locks Heath very popular with families too.

Wickham and Titchfield are lovely.

Stubbington itself is decent, although traffic is a nightmare.

Would any of these offer “open the door and tell the child to go out to see his friends” or are they mainly no-pavement, heavy traffic villages / towns?

I'm not sure. You'd need to look for the estates in these areas. Another option is Hedge End which is a couple of junctions along the M27 but it certainly would. It's hugely family friendly - sadly not quite so close to the sea (or perhaps so pretty - I may get shot for that!) but it's nice and fairly close.

Warsash is good. It has a nice sense or community. Good walks and by the coast /river Hamble

I personally wouldn't send children to school in Stubbington and live elsewhere unless you're prepared to sit in traffic every day. Having said that, there's not much going on in Stubbington, Lee , Hillhead, Fareham or Gosport. If I had the option I'd go for Titchfield or Wickham.

@SorrelForbes, thank you, I believe there’s a school bus into Stubbington.
Why would you pick Titchfield over other surrounding villages?

Titchfield has a good community going; have a look at the village news website. Local theatre; stuff going on in the Parish Rooms; Barry's Meadow to play in; the Christmas trees on each house in December.

In Fareham, Peak Lane and Longmynd Drive used to be OK, though uninspiring housing (I grew up there!). West Downs Close OK as well, though not close to Stubbington.

Botley might be worth a look; for the Purbani if nothing else.

If I were ever forced to move back, then it would have to be Titchfield, though only certain houses.

If you are doing private school, then there's West Hill Park in Titchfield, on St Margaret's Lane.

Is it because of private school in Stubbington? Where will they go 11+? One of the best local state secondaries is Bay House in Gosport.
I would avoid Fareham and stick to the Stubbington, Hill Head , Titchfield etc suggestions unless you go to the other side of Fareham.
What’s your budget? Lee, Stubbington, Hill head are more expensive than Fareham. And a house in Bay House catchment area is more expensive than the rest of Gosport.
Do you need to get out of the area every morning for work?

@orangefuzz I live in Gosport so let me know if there is any local info on houses etc you’d like in those areas you have mentioned.

Knowle always seems quiet and low traffic. Has little playgrounds dotted around so never far from one. Whiteley could be worth a look. Always think both these are really well designed for good paths, walking areas, parks. I walk round these areas and would happily live in either.

I'm so sorry. I completed missed the Stubbington school reference. Please Ignore my previous post. The traffic is horrific around there -!avoid the M27 as much as you can!!

@hidinginthegarden

I'd love to live in lee on Solent. It's my day dream. But also regularly look at Stubbington and over to Warsash. Wouldn't be so keen on Fareham and definitely not Gosport but Locks Heath very popular with families too.

NC . I live in Lee, whilst it is nice bit does get very boring. But I've lived here all my life.

Can I ask what appeals to you?

It's quite an expensive area and the houses are way over priced!

But*

Fareham I'd avoid Redlands area.

Locks Heath and Warsash are okay. PIL's live in Locks Heath. DP didn't like living there.

Even though Lee comes under Gosport I wouldn't want to live in actual Gosport. Alverstoke is the only nicer area of Gosport.

Stubbington again is very boring. Yes, Meon Cross school is there but it isn't fabulous. Crofton secondary has gone way down hill.

@Monica261

Would any of these offer “open the door and tell the child to go out to see his friends” or are they mainly no-pavement, heavy traffic villages / towns?

Yes friends wise. Stubbington probably gets the most traffic but that's the main routes and not the back routes. People trying to avoid the motorway and to get to schools. But then after rush hour calms down it's back to normal.

My DC are late teens and their 'playground' is everywhere from Portsmouth to Southampton, pubs in Fareham, Beach BBQs Lee/Hill Head so they use the whole area and it wouldn't really matter where in the area we lived.

@Knittingnanny, @Namechangerealquick, yes, he would be going to Meoncross - it looks like a good school, is that not the case?
They go up to 16-year-old but we might move earlier anyway - depending on the job.

I need to commute to work once or maybe twice a week to the outskirts of London so I’ll just need to suck it up

I have always taught in state primary schools locally so haven’t ever been in Meoncross but it does have a good reputation as far as I’m aware.

@Namechangerealquick I live about 35 minutes away but am desperate to be closer to the sea / water. We visit most weekends with the dog who LOVES water and l love the walk along the prom and the ice cream shops. It seems a really nice community and always seem to be things going on - park run, rememberance Sunday had a nice feeling and I quite like the high st. I always seem to end up chatting to someone.
It's close enough to the sea for me but would mean my husband/ kids could continue their activities where we are now. And it's less expensive than Lymington side of the water ie Milford, Barton etc.
But realistically I'm not looking to actually move till I retire!!