Moving to Basingstoke area

[gifdy]

Hi - I'm just about to move down to the Basingstoke area so thought I'd say hello and find out what's going on in the region. Is this the right regional forum ?

I'll be renting for 6 months or so until I get to know the area, any recommendations ? Or more importantly, places to avoid !?

Cheers

[sotonS2]

I'm a bit further south than Basingstoke so can't really comment on where to avoid around that neck of the woods.

The nearest monthly TVR meet to you would be at the Hen & Chicken on the A31, just north of Alton. A fairly decent cross country run for the V8.

2nd Thursday of each month - check the TVRCC Hants website.

[Don]

Hi. I'm a Basingstoke local. There are quite a few PHers here. The odd drive out ("Pie and Drive" happens, the occasional meet etc.

The local Hants TVR mob (as mentioned) are a friendly bunch.

Areas to consider renting in:

Chineham.
Lychpit.
Old Basing.
Parts of Kempshott.
Parts of town.
The villages if you commute into Basingstoke to work.

If you are moving to Basingstoke to commute into London you should be aware that the car parking is SHITE and expensive.

Areas to consider briefly and then rule out:

Popley.


Feel free to mail me if you want any details. I've lived here for ten years now.

[JonRB]

Don said:

Areas to consider briefly and then rule out: Popley.

And Basingstoke.

[Don]

JonRB said:

Don said: Areas to consider briefly and then rule out: Popley. And Basingstoke.

Well you have a point, Jon.

I'd live either in one of the villages or on the outskirts myself. (I do live on the outskirts).

Suits me because I'm a sad old fart. Someone younger might want to live in an apartment in town so they can pub/club/walk to the rail station etc

[Krusty]

Dummer's pub 'The Queens' is about as near as I get to Basingstoke nowadays

[gifdy]

Thanks for the advice so far chaps.

I'll be working at Motorola which I think is central, but I'd rather be outside the town in a village or on the outskirts. More chance of a double garage ata a reasonable price. A decent local pub is essential though.

Can't find Popley on multimap - I take it that's an area in Basingstoke ?

[Don]

gifdy said:

Thanks for the advice so far chaps. I'll be working at Motorola which I think is central, but I'd rather be outside the town in a village or on the outskirts. More chance of a double garage ata a reasonable price. A decent local pub is essential though. Can't find Popley on multimap - I take it that's an area in Basingstoke ?

Yep. Sure is. Lychpit where I used to live is great. "Barton's Mill" pub is walkable from around there and is great - has its own millpond, swans, ducks, outside seating etc. The houses around that area are nice too - and some have double garages.

Around Basingstoke "Renway" made great houses - sadly now ceased trading - but their houses are a cut above Bryant homes for example. Better materials.

Expensive though.

The villages aren't cheap either - North Waltham is nice. So are Sherborne St John, Sherfield on Loddon, and Bramley. Tadley OK but not as nice.

Good luck.

[JonRB]

I didn't realise you used to live in Lychpit, Don. That's where we lived for a year or so - Ivar Gardens, just up from the Centrecourt hotel.

Anyway, in reality Basingstoke isn't so bad, especially now that the new centre has been built with all the extra facilities.
I can't say I particularly miss living there, but there are plenty of worse places to live.

[gifdy]

Thanks again Don,

Interesting - I've found a place in Lychpit with double garage in my price range. Think I'll pop down at the weekend and have a look around. If the sun is shining I'll bring down the S and check out the local roads!

kenny

p.s. stunning picture on your profile, where was it taken ?

[Don]

JonRB said:

I didn't realise you used to live in Lychpit, Don. That's where we lived for a year or so - Ivar Gardens, just up from the Centrecourt hotel.

Nearly bought a house in Iver Gardens.

Lived on Feld Way. Keep going past Tescos, Iver Gardens on right, Centrecourt on left, mini roundabout turn right, Feld Way on left - and (in fact) on the route to Barton's Mill.

Nice spot. Where we are now is much further out in the wilds of Southern Kempshott - Gabriel Park. Gabriel Park is nice too, of course. Not as nice IMO - although our house/plot is tons better than where we used to live.

[Don]

gifdy said:

Thanks again Don, Interesting - I've found a place in Lychpit with double garage in my price range. Think I'll pop down at the weekend and have a look around. If the sun is shining I'll bring down the S and check out the local roads! kenny p.s. stunning picture on your profile, where was it taken ?

No problem. Check out Lychpit - if its in your range some of the houses are jolly nice - if they've been cared for. At about twenty years old if they haven't been updated inside they'll be due for it.

"Gabriel Park" where I live now should also be in range. Worth checking. Houses here are a bargain at the moment - some people actually selling below the original asking price. These houses are three years old and should be in top nick.

The photo was taken on the road coming back from Diabaig heading towards Shieldaig and those are the Torridon Hills. Buttock clencher of a journey I swore to beat "Superflid" up after it - although he's forgiven as he was right - the scenery is amazing.

Off up there again in a few weeks. In a rented Landie instead of the Porsche, though. Should be a top laugh.

Local roads around Basingstoke:

A339 Basingstoke Alton - stunning but best done early of a summer morning to avoid cops and traffic.

Some of the roads between Overton and Kingsclere and Whitchurch are simply brilliant. Unfortunately soon to get "rural" 30s. The roads are a known supercar playground and it appears some have been falling off or annoying the residents. I spotted some speed census equipment there only last night. So enjoy whilst you can!

[gifdy]

Don said:

The photo was taken on the road coming back from Diabaig heading towards Shieldaig and those are the Torridon Hills. Buttock clencher of a journey I swore to beat "Superflid" up after it - although he's forgiven as he was right - the scenery is amazing.

It is fantastic up there - very dramatic with a storm raging, reminds you you're still alive! My parents took me to Ullapool every year on holiday as a kiddie (we're from Lossiemouth in Morayshire) but I was more interested in fishing off the harbour wall than taking advantage of the roads

[DaveR]

sotonS2 said:

The nearest monthly TVR meet to you would be at the Hen & Chicken on the A31, just north of Alton... 2nd Thursday of each month

Aha. I'm in the process of hopefully moving to Privett.

Now I know where to come to say

[jvaughan]

Krusty said:

Dummer's pub 'The Queens' is about as near as I get to Basingstoke nowadays

fantastic place. loads of character. used to eat drink there every day when I worked there.
Im in Andover, its my local cinema / shopping place.
Its not that bad. good for commuting into the city... if you can park

[wacky racer]

Don said:

If you are moving to Basingstoke to commute into London you should be aware that Basingstoke is SHITE............