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Winchester/Chandlers Ford/Eastleigh (and surrounds?)

11 replies

KobaniDaughters · 21/01/2022 17:15

We’re moving back to the U.K. after a decade abroad and looking at Winchester area - know Winchester reasonably well and have toured the schools etc but I don’t know the surrounds at all, if anyone would care to shine some light?

Most important is we have Pre-teen and teen DC and would like them to be Independant, getting to school and friends’ houses, in an area where there’s walkable safe hang out spots etc

We’ve found houses in our budget and the commute is fine (WFH mostly but I’ll sometimes have to get to London). We’ve only lived in large metropolis before and don’t want the opposite extreme of rural idyll - and won’t be able to do a reccy before we move so would just love some thoughts?

Welcoming community also a big thing especially as we both WFH so won’t make friends through work. We like to cycle and DH is into tinkering with cars, I’m a director so other creatives always a plus (whether professional or not!) and we’re heavily liberal politically

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Dolphinnoises · 21/01/2022 17:18

Well - there’s a bit of a difference between Winchester and Eastleigh. Chandlers Ford I don’t know well. Is it a question of more bang for your buck in Eastleigh / CF?

islamann · 21/01/2022 17:28

Steer clear of Eastleigh. It's not nicknamed Beastly for nothing! Romsey is a nice small town with great transport links to Winchester, Southampton, Salisbury & London.

Crustypiepants · 21/01/2022 17:31

Eastleigh is alright. My DH's family come from there. Such snobbery here.

KobaniDaughters · 21/01/2022 17:31

Just the market doesn’t have a huge number of houses so thought we’d best cast our net a little wider. Good to hear about Romsey and CF - what about north of Winchester? I really only know the city itself (and that would be my preference but we’re very open to options!)

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SuperSange · 21/01/2022 17:42

Alresford area is nice, though once they're teens you'll either be the taxi or they'll be constantly getting the bus into Winchester.

PoleFairy · 21/01/2022 17:48

Eastleigh absolutely not! Chavvy and grim.

Chandlers Ford is very nice and has one of the leading state secondary schools in the country in it (you would have to be Thornden School catchment). There is a small train station with a direct train to Southampton or the number 1 bus every 20mins to Winchester or Southampton but it's very quiet with mostly houses and woodland, no real centre for kids to hang out. Just the Fryern Arcade with a costa. You get more for your buck than Winchester (but only just). Most teens go on to Peter Symonds college from Thornden.

Winchester is extremely pricey but has good schools and Peter Symonds in it. The city centre is nice but tbh is going down hill a bit with drug use and homelessness

SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius · 21/01/2022 18:12

Hursley is lovely, and when my lovely MIL lived there, it had an excellent primary school.

catchingzzzeds · 21/01/2022 18:32

Chandlers Ford is a fantastic place for a family. Thornden is a very good school although oversubscribed so I'd call and ask about places for your teen before moving.
Otterbourne is lovely, it's a village in between Chandlers Ford and Winchester with a bus going to Winchester/Southampton every 15 minutes.

DiscoStusMoonboots · 21/01/2022 18:34

I grew up in Chandlers Ford (currently on my way to visit my mum there now, too) and it was lovely. Well connected to Winchester,Southampton and London. Good schools and - depending on where you live- potential catchment area for Peter Symonds College, which is exceptional. Would recommend!

DiscoStusMoonboots · 21/01/2022 18:36

Also, I wouldn't completely discount Eastleigh. Some parts are ropey - right in the centre, for example - but places like Bishopstoke are quite pleasant. My cousin has a lovely house close to the woods there and I could not be more jealous.

KobaniDaughters · 21/01/2022 21:40

Super helpful Thankyou - def not interested in becoming a taxi service so if not Winchester then needs to have a decent bus service!

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