Farnborough

Author
Discussion

andharri

Original Poster:

166 posts

158 months

Monday 6th July 2020
quotequote all
Hi,

We are looking to move soon, and we are considering a few areas.

Once place we are looking at is Farnborough, but we don't really know much about it.

Anyone got any insights into the nice areas, things to look out for etc?

Thanks!

andharri

Original Poster:

166 posts

158 months

Tuesday 7th July 2020
quotequote all
Thanks for the replies, much appreciated.

We are looking at a place on Napoleon Avenue, which seems like a nice part of town. Although not too far from a bad part of town, fair to say?

Andy

andharri

Original Poster:

166 posts

158 months

Wednesday 8th July 2020
quotequote all
Gareth79 said:
andharri said:
Thanks for the replies, much appreciated.

We are looking at a place on Napoleon Avenue, which seems like a nice part of town. Although not too far from a bad part of town, fair to say?
Pretty much. I've cycled through there a bit and it seems quiet, I think it's far enough away to be ok. The naming of the roads is because it was sold off from the estate of Empress Eugénie, wife of Napoleon III. They lived in what is now Farnborough Hill school (over the A325).

edit: I think the people recommending Fleet have not checked the prices - you'll need a LOT more money to get like-for-like.



Edited by Gareth79 on Tuesday 7th July 23:33
I did wonder where the names came from, that was interesting to know thank you!

andharri

Original Poster:

166 posts

158 months

Wednesday 8th July 2020
quotequote all
I will explain why we are looking in Farnborough and you can tell me I am in idiota!

I live in Woking now, and have lived there all my life. It is nice enough, it is primarily a commuter town, but it has nice parts, a fairly decent town centre and some good open spaces not too far away.

Most of our family and friends are in a triangle roughly bordered by Woking, Fleet and Reading. Work wise I am either at home or miles away in Welwyn. My fiance probably needs better access to rail into London than me.

We would be happy to stay in Woking I think, although it is insanely priced, which I think is going to be harder to justify post Covid-19!

Our main driver is to find somewhere we can add value to, and this place in Farnborough seems to fit the bill.

I admit up until our house hunt started my only interaction with Farnborough was the airshow and Costco, so in my mind it has always been a bit grotty. But it is clear there are nice areas, and we are looking in one of them. I guess its just whether Farnborough is a good bet overall

</ramble>

andharri

Original Poster:

166 posts

158 months

Wednesday 8th July 2020
quotequote all
Truckosaurus said:
Now then OP, you mention currently living in Woking. Will you have to commute back into Woking?

The road route from Farnborough/Aldershot is terrible and takes the best part of an hour to do the 15 or so miles. I get the train from Aldershot (or did before working from home full time due to C-19) and that's way quicker, even adding in walking to/from the station. (Plus you can get certain trains that become stopping trains after Woking so no London commuters = seats even a peak times)

The problem with F'boro town centre is that there are so many other towns within a short distance so everything is disluted and if you want to go shopping as a leisure activity you might as well drive to Guildford/Camberley/Basingstoke/Reading/etc as into F'boro.

The only 'destination' shops are Decathlon and Costco.

Also, it must be the most under-pubbed place in the country. Other than the Wetherspoons there aren't really any pubs in the town centre. Even The Swan at the end of the runway got in the Good Beer Guide despite having woefully kept beer.
Only parents in Woking, so once a month if I can get away with it !

Costco is my favourite shop in the world, but yeah central Farnborough looked a bit sad when we went there.

Lack of restaurants/pubs is probably more of negative to use then the shops, so that is something to think about

andharri

Original Poster:

166 posts

158 months

Wednesday 8th July 2020
quotequote all
Dr Interceptor said:
Loads up the North Camp end of Farnborough, just means they are a cab ride away.

Malacca - Chinese / Asian / Thai
Everest Tandoori
Il Colosseo - Italian
Gurkha Palace

Also a cab ride away are the Heron on the Lake and Kingfisher on the Quay, part of the same chain.

For more generic food there's a Prezzo in town, if you have a tastecard their menu is very reasonable.

Plus you can get just about anything delivered.
excellent thanks!

andharri

Original Poster:

166 posts

158 months

Friday 10th July 2020
quotequote all
What's the airport noise like around the Empress area?

We went for a walk there and heard a few planes taking off, which surprised me given we were a fair way away from airport

andharri

Original Poster:

166 posts

158 months

Friday 10th July 2020
quotequote all
I love planes too! Even thinking about the fact I am not going to RIAT this year suddenly makes me get something in my eye.

But not so keen on daily racket, so surprised me a little bit given as you they take off south west

I supposed indoors it's not something you notice?

andharri

Original Poster:

166 posts

158 months

Friday 10th July 2020
quotequote all
Appreciate the replies everyone

Reminds me last time I was at Farnborough Airshow they have a Merlin engine static test, I don't think they warned everyone as they fired it up and it generated to most amazing amount of noise and smoke and crap all over everyone. Great sight!