Move from West Sussex to Hampshire

[Zogster]

Hello 👋

We're from West Sussex but looking to move to Hampshire.

We have two children 3 and 8.

Looking for recommendations of large villages or small/market towns.

We live semi rurally now (one corner shop one sleepy pub) but would like a bit more going on for the kids whilst being safe and homely.

Budget is 500k

Any recommendations please?
Thank you xx

I'd put a few more requirements in especially work-wise, and what size property you are expecting. Because I would recommend Fleet/Hartley Wintney/Odiham as 'nice places' but you could get way more bang for buck down New Forest Way.

Petersfield
Liphook
Hartley Wintney
Fleet
Romsey
Alton
Whitchurch

Thanks for your responses...in terms of property we are less fussed on size. Need three beds but like the idea of a bungalow with a bit of land versus a house.
Husband works remotely and I'm considering retraining as a counsellor so work can be flexible.

We aren't keen on places that are too yuppy (Londoners etc ..had too much of this where we are in Sussex).

Are the places suggested villages or towns and what sort of amenities are there for kids please?

Alresford, great schools, beautiful area, large village, lots of countryside and walks but very close to trains and main road links. I’d do a day trip, look up the walks and see what you think as there are lots of surrounding smaller villages as well that are stunning.

Also drive the candover valley that runs from Alresford to Basingstoke, lots of villages.

Winchester, fab city, expensive but you’d find something and busy but small city again lots of surrounding villages and smaller offshoots.

For your asks I’d probably go for Romsey- busy market town not far from Southampton with shops, cafes, community vibes. Has a lively community theatre, large green with duck pond, play equipment etc. There’s a fair amount of new build development on the outskirts but all these seem to have community centres etc. Peppa Pig World + Paulton’s Park is 10 mins drive and plenty of our friends have season tickets. New Forest on your doorstep with plenty to explore and the beach within 30 mins. Very easy access to M27/M3. Short drive to Southampton for things like cinema, bowling, entertainment and a brilliant theatre. Winchester in the other direction for a “naice” town which has the cathedral, art scene, Xmas markets etc. Your budget will get you what you need, though it might need to be a “doer upper” to get that kind of land!

There are some smaller, lovely market towns in the New Forest too, closer to the forest and beaches. Ringwood, Lymington, Fordingbridge but quieter, older population and your budget probably goes less far. Excellent schools in all though.

Romsey is a small market town. 2 good comps and various good primary schools, within reach of a variety of 6th form options. (Hants school don't generally have 6th forms).
Trains to Salisbury and Southampton. If you want London you either go via Southampton or Winchester.
Nice shops but for most clothes you have to go out of town.
Summer carnival, winter light parade, beggars fair music weekend in july.
Am Dram group that has own theatre.
Maybe not very exciting for teens but no village / small town will be.

Post with @user1471548941

We lived in West Sussex (village outside Horsham) for 20 years, but moved to Winchester a few years back. For me, I wanted to live within walking distance to central Winchester itself as I had previously lived here and absolutely loved it, but obviously you pay property wise for that. However, if looking for smaller towns, I agree Alresford, Romsey or Stockbridge are all lovely. These have shops, restaurants, cafes but compact historic towns and very attractive. Surrounding countryside is beautiful.

Personally I probably think Alresford would be my first choice to look at as I have many friends who live there with kids and they love it, plus it has such easy access into Winchester itself, so family can get into the city easily for various summer festivals and events that go on. Winchester is a great vibrant place for kids as it has so many youngsters due to the University, Art college and Peter Symonds sixth Form college (largest in the country), so it’s not a sleepy historic town just filled with lots of old people. Also lots on as it’s also a very busy tourist town. My knowledge regarding schools only extends to Winchester itself which are all very good, but my daughter was 16 when we moved here and she started Peter symonds sixth form college. Its catchment is very large taking in these other smaller towns mentioned and it’s a very desirable and recommended as it’s one of the best in the country grade wise. My daughter came out with three A’s and absolutely loved her time there. Although I loved Sussex, I do prefer this area in Hampshire. Plus you’re within day trip distance to the New Forest, Wessex/Wiltshire Downs and South Downs still.

Fleet is good for a commute to London. The town centre was dire when we lived there and the bus service poor. Schools are good I believe. There’s been a massive amount of development on the outskirts of Fleet and Church Crookham.

Hartley Witney is lovely, but no one moves from there.

Petersfield has more going on.

Im in Fleet and it’s decent, both the secondary schools have a fairly good reputation and there are plenty of good primaries too. Town centre isn’t particularly exciting, the small shopping centre is practically a ghost town now but I wouldn’t describe it as dire- it’s relatively clean, minimal graffiti or asb and has some nice places to eat and drink.

Alton is another one to consider, quite a pretty town imo, certainly compared to eg Farnborough or Amazingstoke, the friends I know that live there like it.

New Forest is definitely nice but to be properly on the forest eg Brock you will struggle at that budget. Lymington just about possible and it’s also quite a pretty town. Winchester I think again you’ll struggle at that budget tbh.

Fleet has great secondaries, primaries are a bit hit and miss I think. You’re in London commuting belt everywhere in north east Hants I think.

I would avoid north of Whitchurch, very rural and a bit cut off. Whitchurch is nice and quite buzzy, folk music scene is excellent if that’s your thing. Lots of traffic from A34.

Winchester is gorgeous but you won’t get much house for your money.

Andover schools are much improved, some solid secondaries, it’s good value house wise, but not the most attractive town, some lovely surrounding villages but they’re small.

Overton is nice, if a little sleepy, good transport links without actually being on a really busy road.

I grew up in Basingstoke and although it’s got a bad rep it’s a very easy place to live, the town centre is a bit bleak, but it’s got good connections, some decent restaurants and a great theatre. There are some secondaries to avoid though.

I don’t really know the south of the county too well.

Petersfield
Liphook
Alton

Emsworth. Lovely old town by the river. Excellent connections via the South Coast Mainline - Southampton to Brighton

Thanks everyone for your comments and ideas

I think at their ages you would be better off with more rural. Nice safe walks the 8 year can do with school friends , parks and nice walks with you and the little ones.
East Hampshire is overrun with Londoners making the most of A3 and direct rail link. It has the National Park and which means building falls to south Hampshire is in the process becoming a large housing estate.

Bordon was an old army town and has no rail link meaning prices are cheaper and swerved by the London set.. It’s not posh but it’s been completely rebuilt and it’s been done well. Roads are wide and the interesting military buildings retained There is acres of army ranges still around it to explore which are more open and accessible than farmland. Farnham ( Birdworld and Alice Holt ) up the road, Petersfield down the road and lots of little villages all around if you like an old pub.

Alton probably ticks many of your boxes - small market town with primary & secondary schools & sixth form college, direct (if a bit slow) trains to Waterloo, a fair amount going on (though clearly not as much as somewhere larger like Winchester).