Anyone live in Basingstoke

[Challo]

Does anyone live in Basingstoke that can help provide inputs on good or bad area's to live in. I currently live in Bracknell, but due to prices we are looking at Basingstoke (surrounding area's) for a 2 bed house upto around £300k mark.

Most houses are coming up for Old Basing, Hatch Warren, Chineham, Marnel Park but no idea if the area's are any good? We need to start to go on some viewings but wondered on any to avoid?

We have friends/family in Chineham & Kempshott but unclear on other area's.

Thanks

[Challo]

SeeFive said:

Out of those, I would say that Hatch Warren is your best bet. But be careful, Old hatch warren is perilously close to Brighton Hill and houses are getting on and bit now, with the associated drawbacks.

Anything in New Hatch warren, about 4 miles out of the town centre, opposite side of A30 from Kempshott would have been built from the late 80s to the late 90s, and are that type of house. Areas tend to be well kept and peaceful with green space and there are good services (big sainsbury, buses etc) if you need that kind of thing.

I am about to sell 2 houses on the south western outskirts of Hatch Warren, which is a very nice part of the place but too big for what you want - large 4 beds multi ensuites, and lots of reception rooms upwards of 550k. There are also more recent developments at Beggarwood adjoining south of HW, but personally, I don't like the layout of the area as much as HW - places seem to be rammed in very tight.

Chineham always seems a bit mixed to me, never lived there but have friends who do. Seems the kind of place where you would find lots of rentals compared to HW. And the s love it too. Old Basing is fine if you like village life, but has considerable "council" looking areas too.

I love the way that people knock Basingrad. We brought up kids there after moving from a dying Surrey/ Sussex border town with nothing for kids, declining old facilities and have absolutely no regrets. Like any commuter town, it has its down sides with rougher areas, but the abundance of facilities there means that I would do exactly the same thing again given the choice.

Go see your mates / family in Kempshott and have a drive up to the Sainsbury and around that area off Danebury Road and up to Heritage Park, Belmont heights, Chatsworth Green etc - I have owned properties in all those areas. I left there just over two years ago due to lifestyle changes and would be more than happy to still be there if that had not happened.

I guess it largely depends on what you want from an area. If it is solitude, then Basingstoke and its suburbs is not the area for you and you need to get out to the villages in the area. If you want a good residential area, with decent neighbours and excellent facilities in the wider area, then have a real good look yourself and ignore the detractors.

It is well under the hour to London on the train, well connected by roads to just about anywhere you need to go, including some good south coast beaches under an hour away, new forest less than that, countryside right on your doorstep etc.

Thanks SeeFive