Fleet Hampshire

[IJumpedAboardAPirateShip]

Anyone live who can tell me what it’s like?

....in Fleet!

lmgtfy.app/?q=fleet+hampshire

A bit of a broad question tbh. What it’s like in terms of what? I know it quite well as it’s 10mins away.

Is it friendly? Is it nice? Broad because would just like honest opinions really. Ticks certain boxes for us so looking for a local view

Is it nice... yes. Is it friendly... yes. Unless there’s another place/town you’re wanting to compare it to? Like with the majority of villages/towns/cities, there will be pro’s and con’s.

If you’re on Facebook, look to join the Fleet Parents and/or Fleet People Facebook groups if you are wanting more detailed answers to specific questions.

Yes it’s pretty pleasant. Not a hugely exciting town but has an ok high street. I quite often finish work late and never feel worried about the ten minute walk from the station. Very nice countryside all around so great for walking and cycling. I’d recommend it.

I used to live in Fleet / Church Crookham and it's a very good place to live. Well located and has all the usual amenities; anything specific you're after?

Thanks for the responses. Just doing a general usual Rightmove search of somewhere to live close ish to London with good schools etc etc the usual! We live abroad at the moment so def want somewhere that has a good community with friendly and welcoming people as we’ll be starting fresh all over again with Pre-teens. I know Sussex well but not Hampshire at all and found a house on Rightmove and saw the local schools were all ofsted good or outstanding

Assuming walks and bike rides locally are all pretty and nice?

Yes you’ve got loads of MOD land that is basically open for use as long as there aren’t training operations on. I’m on the north side of Fleet and we have the beautiful Minley as well as Fleet pond just a few minutes away. I will say there is a motion being tabled by the MOD to remove these access rights but it’s just at consultation stage at the moment.

The leisure centre is modern and has a great pool. My ds is in a small primary a few miles outside the centre and it’s a really nice school.

DH likes the peace and quiet, we’d prob be looking at living on the edge of any town/village - any part of Fleet better than others? I like to be able to walk to people, places and things but am up for a reasonable walk to do so!

Sounds like a pretty inoffensive place - will pop it on the reccy list!

I know it well as my gran lived there. But I haven't been for 10 years. Can someone reassure me that Fleet Toys is still there. I loved that shop.

@IJumpedAboardAPirateShip

DH likes the peace and quiet, we’d prob be looking at living on the edge of any town/village - any part of Fleet better than others? I like to be able to walk to people, places and things but am up for a reasonable walk to do so!

Sounds like a pretty inoffensive place - will pop it on the reccy list!

You might want to consider some of the villages just outside Fleet - Hartley Witney, Dogmersfield, Crondall, etc - they're still in the catchment for the Fleet secondaries, as they don't have their own.

Noise wise just perhaps stay away from too near the m3, ie the north of Ancells and Elvetham Heath. Also Farnborough airport will be heard from the southern edge. I knew someone in Hartley Wintney that said the sound of the motorway was louder than you’d expect given it’s a bit further away.

Thanks - these are great specific!

how is it as an area for pre-teens and teens?

@Bananalanacake

Yes, Fleet Toys is alive and kicking, it is now renamed Toy Arena, but still has the same lovely staff and great service. They were operating click and collect during the Nov lockdown and even although my kids are beyond that stage it was great to hear such lovely comments about them.

Isn’t it funny what memories are made of?

I’ve been in Fleet (Crookham Village) for 21 years. All my 3 teenagers were born here. If you live within easy reach of the train it gives them lots of opportunities.

A lot will depend on your budget and whether you want state or independent for schools. Good options for both, and I have experience of both sides, both boys and girls.

My husband teaches in Fleet, it’s a lovely area. It’s not that great to commute into London from though, if that’s a thought. The schools are great, the nightlife for older teens is probably not great but that’s a good thing ! Guildford is also nice if either of you needs to commute (does anybody do that any more....!)

Oh what makes the commute not good @Mumtofourandnomore? I thought it was just 45mins to Waterloo?

With the trains the fast ones are 43 mins or so to Waterloo, but due to covid they’ve cut lots of these and it’s now a stopper taking almost an hour. Plus the travel you may have either end.

OK good to know - we won't be moving until the summer and with any luck only I'll be commuting and as a freelancer it won't be every day or every week

Thanks for the reassurance, @Whataplonkerheis, I loved the stairs in that shop, space for one person at a time as the wall was so full of toys.
I remember so many shops, This and That on a corner selling lots of random household stuff, Woolworths in the Hart Centre, Fraser Hines, Bakers the Hardware shop near the baby equipment shop. Good charity shops, Phyliss Tuckwell was my favourite. My gran wasn't impressed with the Hart Centre when it was built, she thought it looked like the architects had an argument and threw the brinks up in the air. I'll come to Fleet again when I'm allowed to travel to the UK.