Whats it like living in Hampshire .

[diana.m]

Considering moving lock stock to Hampshire, England. Was wondering if anyone had any experience of living there and had any views on nice areas to live in Hampshire.

[sammd]

It's great, especially being by the sea. It depends where you're looking for work/have a job. Southampton and Portsmouth are the two main cities on the coast, north of these there's lots of lovely countryside and little villages, so you could go for either a city (i recommend the suburbs) or a little village just outside. If you need any further specifics let me know.

[gucciman]

i dont live there but was on holiday there last years and didn't want to go home. it seems a beautiful area, very affluent, lots of beautiful villages and countryside. we stayed at milford on sea

[shaneystar2]

I dont live there either but would love to.I have a friend who lives in Winchester and go to visit her often.It's a lovely place and some of the surrounding villages are beautiful .Aylesford is nice too.This will be my destination if (big if) I ever win the lottery !!

[spudqueen]

My sister-in-law lives near Waterlooville not far from Portsmouth and she loves it, not too far from the sea, nice towns like Petersfield and Winchester not too far away, and quite a dry climate.

[maggie01]

I live in Fareham and would avoid it. Lots of other nice place around but not cheap.

[Lollyhoney]

It's worth it just for the New Forest. I keep my horse there and adore the area I'm in!

[user66]

Don't go near Portsmouth....its a **** corner. I hear its nice around Derby Road way, in Southampton.

[sammd]

Don't listen to user66! There's nothing wrong with Portsmouth. Every city has it's council estate area, Southampton as good as any other. Derby Road in Southampton is the red light district. Why do people give untrue advice on here?

[user66]

Sammd.....only my little joke, no offence meant. For what its worth I live in Birmingham, in a place called Castle Vale....any fellow Brummie posters will know what I'm saying !

[sammd]

I forgive you user66. It's just that for someone like diana.m who doesn't know the area and wants to know where to move to, i'm sure she'd appreciate accurate advice!

[Gowergirl]

Have lived in Hants for 40years now.Love it. Try to live out of the big cities if you can.Traffic at peak times is a problem.
Weather is generally warmer & drier.Housing is expensive.
Lots of countryside around,if you like walking & cycling.Beaches never far away.

[diana.m]

Thanks all for your answers and especially to sammd yes I do need accurate information. I will be working in basingstoke and need a property near by. I will not be able to avoid the traffic, no doubt. I am mortified by the cost of properties, I would like to live in a nice area but I am not a 'snob' if you know what I mean, so it doesnt have to be suburbia, just not beirut.

[sammd]

I don't know the Basingstoke area at all so can't give any advice on the different areas around there i'm afraid. I've heard that the motorway gets pretty busy around the junctions at rush hour though. I recommend visiting the countryside, the New Forest and the south coast while you're there!

[Gowergirl]

There are lots of pretty villages around Basingstoke.The only one I know is Little London.It's really nice there.Lovely area for walking & cycling.

[1rovert]

Hi Diana!

Having moved to Hampshire (Southampton) from London some years ago, and lived in several places around the area, I think maybe I can give you more constructive information.

I now live in Titchfield, which is two miles from Fareham. If you look on a map, and find junction 9 on the M27, you'll find it. That is a suggestion where you may look for, maybe your new home. There is a new town called Whitley, which has its own shopping centre. It's not far from Fareham or Portsmouth one way, and Hedge End, Southampton and Bournmouth the other, all have large shopping malls. If you draw a ten mile circle from junction 9, you have all the shopping and entertainment you could wish for. And you are at the most fifteen minutes from the sea. There you have it, but like someone said before, the housing is very expensive. Best of luck. JR.