I've decided I want to move to WINCHESTER

[000Laura000]

Never been there of course but it sounds nice. For quite a while I've wanted to move out of London.

I've got these fantasies in my head about children playing in the street safely away from speeding cars. Neighbours going to each others' barbecues or chatting in the front garden while the children play. Lovely state schools within walking or cycling distance. (Forget about fee paying schools, that's not for me). Maybe a few interesting shops. Nice countryside nearby. Things for boys to do!

I want a Ladybird book, but with some of the good bits of the 21st century.

1. Is Winchester going to provide me with something similar to this?
   
   
2. If it is, where in Winchester should I move to?
   
   All information gratefully received. Anything will be useful. Once I've got your advice, I'll pop down next weekend and sort everything out. (Anyone selling property near a good school give me a shout).
   
   Thanks
   
   Laura

[sarahnurse]

Hello,

We moved to Winchester from London 8 years ago.

I thought I would go back all the time but hardly ever do.

We bought a modest house in Winnall which is an estate but not in a bad way and that is what we could afford. The houses are a bit boring to look at but we have given ours a cottage feel with logburner, loft extension etc

We have private parking and big garden.

The local School is quickly improving and my children are very happy there and doing extremely well.

15 minutes walk into town.

There is a nice sense of community here it feels very safe and I've lost count of the number of times people have returned lost purses and handbags and I have often left front doors open all day and keys in ignitions etc (I'm a bit forgetful!)

There are a lot of Boden-Wearing Mummies with rich banker Husbands, but there are enough 'normal' people to go around.

Winchester is beautiful, especially if you like eating out. There is plenty of culture. The Hampshire countryside is lovely. I only miss the ethnic mix of people and Turkish supermarkets!

[LondonLady2014]

Hi issystark, would you say you miss bath now you live in Winchester?

I prefer the slightly boho feel of the south west and that's where I grew up. I love the countryside there - though saying that the South Downs are pretty beautiful! You are right re the tourists in bath, it's crazy busy, way worse that Winchester and I'm not sure that wouldn't do my head in!
We will still work in London so Winchester is better commute wise and the major plus is that my mum lives in Winchester so the child care would be the main plus point! If it weren't for those practical considerations I would choose bath, I've always been fond of it....the new river cottage in winch is lovely though!!

[IssyStark]

Have loved in Bath and live near Winchester now. Both beautiful but Bath is even more of a tourist trap than Winchester. However Bath has more vibrancy and has that off kilter south west thing going on. If you like cycling then Winchester is a better bet (flatter but near the downs), if you like theatre then Bath's Theatre Royal and easy access to Bristol's Old Vic wins hands down. It all depends what you are into as a family...

[TranmereRover]

I have these fantasies too - went there en route to the new forest last year and adored the ancient oaks and red brick and indie shops on the high street and lovely pub for lunch. In my fantasy world, I'm moving to one of the Georgian market town / villages to the east and sending my offspring to St Swithuns.
It's unclear how this will be funded given that I will not be able to commute to my job. Oh and of course the HORSES. Who will pay for the horses?

[Luckystar82]

Bath is way cooler, friendlier and more interesting than Winchester. I used to live there.

If you want posh safe and white middle class, I'd vote for Bath over Winchester!

[Luckystar82]

I wouldn't move there. Sorry but I can't stand Winchester. Visit there a lot for business, it's a boring place and the people do generally look a lot more miserable than other places I visit. Sorry! I say this having lived in the SE all my life, so not a friendly northerner by any means!

If you like shops like Joules and Jack Wills, then you will probably love it though!

[LondonLady2014]

I don't think any of those observations about Winchester are correct to be honest. It's not very "hunter wellies and headscarves" either, which implies landed gentry. It's just a historic, pretty city with a largely educated middle class population. I don't find it snooty or "all white". The schools are excellent and it has a 50 min train to London so it's a popular migration spot for those leaving London....
When I say it's getting posher I meant in terms of upmarket restaurants as opposed to becoming snooty!

[Blackeyez09]

1mrsb I'm glad you said this I mean what has race got to do with it! I've seen a lot of threads like this where people seem to suggest only white people in these "nice" areas...

[LondonLady2014]

Bump!

I know this is an old thread but it came up first on google so I'm bumping it....

We are researching Winchester too. My mum and sister live there so we know it quite well already.

Fulflood is the area popular with commuters as it has Edwardian houses and is close to the station.

Hyde has become more popular in recent years. Not too far from station either.

St cross is the posh area because it is near the water meadows (countryside walks) and the cathedral side of the city. Long walk to the station...

Properties near the cathedral are tiny and very pricey but that part of the city is beautiful and very central.

Up and coming area is highcliffe. Edwardian and victorian properties, a Michelin star restaurant, close to water meadows and st Giles hill and houses£100k cheaper than fulflood. Primary school is speedily improving and was last judged "good" by ofsted.... A long walk to the station though.

Yummy mummys moving from London will find comfort in the hambledon boutique, the new River Cottage (gorgeous building) and Rick Stein restaurants and the fact that many more restaurants are opening up every week!

I think Winchester is getting posher and posher! It is the perfect place for Londoners "moving out".... For us it's a toss up between there and Bath...both lovely but Winchester wins on the commute!

[Flossiechops]

I doubt she will answer as the thread is 3 years old!!

[vj32]

I had friends living in Winchester who commuted and they said only way to get a seat on a London train was to pay for first class season ticket - no standard seats ever at peak times.

I live near but not in Winchester. It is lovely but so expensive there is a massive massive disparity between rich and poor and not a lot in between because you have to be loaded or in social housing to afford to live there. eg At the children's centre/pre-school you get some women discussing their latest nanny and others talking about their community fund application because their fridge exploded and they can't afford another one. Its not bad at all... just a bit wierd.

[1mrsb]

Bibbitybobbityhat; re: your post. Why do you add that there are no black people ? I'm not sure what that has to do with it. Btw my partner and I are black doctors living in Winchester so you are wrong !

[tiredfeet]

I do like Winchester, and love how easy it is to get to london, and its great as most places are within walking distance. But it is very polluted in my opinion, I got fed up of choking on traffic fumes as I walked around the city, so we've moved out to a village in the countryside now. But yes there's lots thats good about it, lots going on there. And if people would just stop driving everywhere it would be a fantastic place to live.

[000Laura000]

Thanks. Haven't actually been to Winchester yet, so it's early days!

[cranbury]

Its only an hour commute but trains meant to be very full and you may have to stand for an hour. Plus family of 4 day trip to London add £50 for the train fare!

Haringey to Winchester is quite a move - good luck.

[000Laura000]

I too am a Londoner born and bred. Grew up and went to school in Camden Town, now living in Haringey, working in Soho Square. But I think it's time for a change.

I'm going for a visit to Winchester next week. I realise it's very, very small!

Fast train only ONE HOUR to Waterloo and one of the most fantastic areas of London - the South Bank. Fairly easy to do a day out in London by train from Winchester IMHO.

It probably just all comes down to money as per bl**dy usual.

I think I read your previous thread - will read it again - thanks a lot.

It's a big decision.

Laura

[cranbury]

We thought about it, you can read my Winchester school thread. Went for a couple of vists and decided I would die of boredom but I am a Londonder born and bred. Now looking at "semi rural" Home Counties as can still get to London quickly and cheaply plus a big town nearby - Winchester may only be an hour away on the train but check out the cost of tickets.

Everybody wants to move there from West London and hardly any property on the market.

We went to the Ask Pizza on the High St we got the last table at 12.15 on a Sunday, not much choice...

[000Laura000]

totally shameless bump

[000Laura000]

Thanks for your advice(s). I'm moving!

[scaryteacher]

I used to live in Bereweeke Road in Wyke Lodge when I boarded at Peter Symonds. I hear it's offices now. Great place to live.

[steamedtreaclesponge]

I'm from Winchester! It is lovely, for the most part.

Bereweeke, bits of Weeke, Teg Down all within 20 mins walking distance from schools, town centre, railway station and (most importantly) Waitrose!

Go for Chilbolton Avenue or Bereweeke Road if you want a mansion, or Littleton if you fancy something a bit more villagy (it's where Nick Clegg's brother lives!)

The High Street has got rather more poncey in the last few years and now has Jigsaw, Cath Kidston, Joules, Jack Wills etc etc.

[tiredemma]

Is it still full of squaddie recruits???

[lucysmum]

there was a thread in education all about Winchester a while back which may be good reading

[bibbitybobbityhat]

The nice new Waitrose is in Weeke.

We had a lovely house on the Teg Downe Estate (1950s/60s) backing on to woods/fields and a golf course. The primary school was great back then but we are talking 40 years ago!

[000Laura000]

LOVING the sound of it!?! (Headscarves! That's very Ladybird book.)

Sounds like I will need to sell my flat for maximum sponds.

What about nicest residential area for young families? Weeke? Other?