Hampshire Area Guides

Coastline, countryside, and exciting cities are all on offer in Hampshire. Whether you prefer golf, horse riding, water sports, cycling, or a gentle country walk, Hampshire has it - and in under an hour’s commute to London Waterloo. Almost all of the area is classified as rural, meaning that the views are unspoilt from the thatched country cottage or country estate you call home. The area also offers good employment and education opportunities, in addition to the opportunities provided by its good rail connections to London. Hampshire was rated the best place to live in the UK in Halifax’s 2014 Quality of Life survey, with residents reporting excellent health, high salaries, long life expectancies, and good weather.

Living in Hampshire

BasingstokeExceptional4.9

Basingstoke is a town located in the county of Hampshire, in South East England. Situated across a valley at the source of the River Loddon, Basingstoke is commonly referred to as "Doughnut City" or "Roundabout City" due to the number of large roundabouts dotted around the town. Basingstoke has developed from an Old Market Town to a thriving economic centre with excellent transport links to London, ideal for commuters. The town is a popular residential area that offers a variety of accommodations for house hunters, including a wealth of beautiful Victorian and Edwardian homes, period buildings, and Victorian villas, all of which are perfect for families and professionals. The average property price in Basingstoke is around £350,000, which is lower than the average London home of £540,000, but still a high price for families to be able to afford. 

PortsmouthExceptional4.7

Portsmouth is a waterfront city located mainly on Portsea Island in the county of Hampshire, South East England. Known for its maritime heritage and Historic Dockyard, Portsmouth is a vibrant port city that thrives by the sea, offering a seafaring culture with a modern twist. Portsmouth has undergone a regeneration project which has seen the arrival of navy buildings and a range of amenities that are set among canals and squares, all anchored by the 170-metre-high Emirates Spinnaker Tower. With the average property price of £250,000, many first-time buyers are attracted to Portsmouth as it provides a great range of accommodations that are suited to families, professionals, students, and retirees. 

RomseyFabulous3.9
SouthamptonExceptional4.3

Southampton, or Soton as it’s known by the locals, is a small coastal city with a lot to offer. Southampton has had city status for about half a century, and has a population of around 240,000 as of the 2011 census. 

 

There are two universities in Southampton, and a student population of over 30,000. This means that there is a very large population of university-age adults living in this area, which tends to have an impact on the city – it is perhaps the students who can be thanked for the good shopping, dining, and nightlife options in Southampton.

 

However, the city has a lot to offer families. Relatively affordable family homes, lots of green space, and good schools all draw families to the area. Good transport links by road, rail, and even by sea and air make this a good place for commuters to live, too. 

 

Southampton was named the sixth best place to live in the UK by the 2015 Good Growth for Cities Index.

WinchesterFabulous3.7

Winchester, the once-capital of England, is a cathedral city in Hampshire. 

 

The Sunday Times declared Winchester the best place to live in Britain in 2016 for its “food, festivals, and feel-good factor”. A Halifax survey concurred. Unfortunately, all this happiness comes at a price, with very high costs of living and property prices. 

 

Still, residents will likely find the costs are worth it, with outstanding access to green and open space, a good community feel, and good schools and transport links among the many amenities for locals. 

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