South of England-Great place on small budget?

[househuntinginthesouth]

Does this place exist? I just need somewhere that's nice, safe, has great secondary school within walking distance, things to do for older kids within walking distance, preferably good transport links although do drive so this isn't a must, not too far from a city. WFH but will have to be in office max twice a week or so, so needs to be Dorset, Wiltshire or Hampshire. Max is £325k so small budget and will need a three bed.

Everywhere I've seen is either In okay areas but needs loads doing (which we can't afford) or is nice but in terrible areas, or is massively over budget, also really struggling to find decent schools even in the okay areas. Seen some new builds within budget but they all seem to be in the middle of no where and I need somewhere the kids will be able to get themselves to school and be able to meet with friends etc by themselves (so safe area and not far from parks/shops/cafes etc) like where we are now.

Any recommendations of great places to live on a small budget?

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/106428305#/?channel=RES_BUY

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/108492560#/?channel=RES_BUY

Can walk to school, sports centre, the Tivoli (theatre and cinema) or catch bus to Poole or Bournemouth. Also could try the Poole Grammars in addition to the Upper school, there are buses for the Grammars. No city but Poole amd Bournemouth merge together and you have beaches plus New Forest.

Wonder if Salisbury might work? I don’t know enough it or the schools but others will know.

Romsey and Test Valley are lovely places. Both schools in Romsey are very good, some nice parks and shops to mooch about in, 20 min or so drive to Winchester or Southampton for larger cities. Easy access to M3 and M27.

You could get a 3 bed for under £325k but would have to compromise, e.g. semi/terrace rather than detached, 20 minute walk to town rather than town centre that sort of thing.

Houses sell quickly though, there aren't any available on rightmove right now but there are quite a few sold STC to give you an idea.

@Volterra thanks. I did wonder about Salisbury; seems like most of the schools are private however the couple of non private ones were rated good. I did find a house that's just at budget (I think they want offers above but maybe worth a try) location seemed good as walking distance to town and looks like there is a park nearby, it says that it's priced for a quick sale which made me suspicious as houses seem to be going really quickly and above what there worth at the moment, maybe I'm worrying about nothing.

@HungryHippo11
Thank you, I'll check those out.

Alton in Hampshire, with a bit of patience/flexibility you should be able to get something for your budget and it fits your requirements.

@snowspider thanks. Do you know which are the nicer areas or if they're any areas to avoid? Looks like Basingstoke would be the closest big City (we love Milestones and the indoor Skydiving place so that could work ).

Alton is friendly with plenty of community activities. It has a good variety of housing and some new developments as well as a traditional centre and nice old buildings. No real bad areas and schools are good. Surrounding villages are lovely and nice countryside (Jane Austen country). Basingstoke has the main shops but is not in itself that exciting, but useful and functional. The train to Waterloo from Alton takes about 70 mins and you are guaranteed a seat as start of the line. There may be faster trains at peak times too. Amery secondary is nice. there are some pubs ( a bit of a local music scene) and coffee shops. A Waitrose. Library and weekly market. Winchester is not far and other towns like Petersfield for a change of scene. House wise those two places are more expensive. Alton is a good solid family oriented area.

Like everywhere at the moment houses are selling so not a lot available but if as above you check Alton sold subject you will get an idea of possibilities.

Have you checked if liphook comes in under budget?
Although technically hampshire it’s nearly Surrey and West Sussex so don’t know if location would work. Hour-ish into Waterloo and good schools

Does anyone know what Portchester is like?

Yes it’s between Portsmouth and Fareham - I’m sure there must be some nice areas but driving through recently it looked run down and tatty. I wouldn’t want to live there. I’ll add my vote to Liphook and also Liss.

This is the only one in Liphook

Edmonton Way, Liphook
www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/111821237

West Wilts is very good value with Bath and Salisbury both within half an hour. East Somerset similar but a bit more expensive. Lots of nice villages on the edges of each town and Westbury, Warminster(Waitrose, great park), Trowbridge (Cinema complex) and Frome(Sunday Times Best place to live winner) all have rail stations. Not sure about schools but I think most are rated good. None maybe big/busy enough for you but they are certainly doable on your budget.

Good schools in Chippenham www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/find.html?locationIdentifier=REGION%5E319&insId=1&sortType=6&maxPrice=325000&minBedrooms=3&includeSSTC=true&_includeSSTC=on&googleAnalyticsChannel=buying