Where would you recommend in Hampshire?

pattojones

Hi. We currently live in a nice town in the West Midlands as Selly Oak/RCDM was my last posting before I retired from the RAF in 2016. I used to live/work in Gosport when posted to RH Haslar. We have some very good friends who live in Rowlands Castle and whilst we like it there we wouldn’t want to live in their pockets and not much comes up for sale anyway.

I am seeking recommendations for the Hampshire area. We like Emsworth but anywhere else? Schools do not matter as kids grown up. Max 30 minutes drive to the sea. ‘Villagy feel’ with pubs nice.

Waterlily24

We lived in Drayton for quite a while and liked it there, not too far from Emsworth. There is upper and lower Drayton upper is meant to be the best. We haven't lived there for years (probably 30) but loved it there.

Justsusan

Avoid Basingstoke. It's a hole

HampshireH

By!Justsusan

Avoid Basingstoke. It's a hole

But more to the point it doesn't fit the OP criteria of being 30minutes from the sea, nor is it a village.

There are plenty of lovely villages near Basingstoke which offer the "villagey feel" but no sea.

Peterfields is an old market town with a fair bit of development in recent years but has all the necessary amenities, isn't too big and towny. Has the local type pubs and is just a half hour or so from southsea. Worth a drive around the local areas from there for a more villagey feel

I prefer new forest though. Lovely place plenty of quaint pubs. Lyminngton has the harbour and a little market street. Good links to all the major routes.

LandyAndy

I live in Fordingbridge. It's very pleasant around here with the New Forest on your doorstep and the sea 30 minutes away. Plenty of attractive villages and also good access to the M27/M3.

Linton

How much can you afford? Wickham and other villages in the Meon valley are very nice though relatively expensive. Swanmore and Bishops Waltham also. You get best value if you avoid places that are an easy commute to London. The M27 between Portsmouth and Southampton can be very busy, so best to check you are not dependent on it to get to where you may want to go.

Murphybear

There are lots of lovely places in the New Forest that are not too far from the sea. That part of Hampshire can be very expensive and desirable though, what is your budget and size of house?

Just be aware that this is a big tourist area as well and can get seriously busy in the summer.

I was born and brought up in Hampshire and still have lots of relatives there, probably too many nice places to name

TrickyDicky101

Knowing your budget is key to suggesting anywhere and whether or not you want to be 30 minutes from Portsmouth area or are you happy to be 30 minutes from any coast line?

CarbonImage

LandyAndy wrote: »

I live in Fordingbridge. It's very pleasant around here with the New Forest on your doorstep and the sea 30 minutes away. Plenty of attractive villages and also good access to the M27/M3.

Second vote for Fordingbridge here. My in-laws moved there this year and it was much cheaper than any of the surrounding areas in the New Forest.

30 mins to Southbourne or 45 to Bournemouth beach and Sandbanks.

You also have Salisbury and Wimborne on your doorstep which are both beautiful, and Ringwood down the road if you want to do some shopping.

oldwiring

CarbonImage wrote: »

Second vote for Fordingbridge here. My in-laws moved there this year and it was much cheaper than any of the surrounding areas in the New Forest.

30 mins to Southbourne or 45 to Bournemouth beach and Sandbanks.

You also have Salisbury and Wimborne on your doorstep which are both beautiful, and Ringwood down the road if you want to do some shopping.

and +1 from me, having lived near Ringwood for 16 years.
Some of E. Dorset were once in Hampshire until the 90s, and would have suited your criteria too. What is your employment status? Do you need good communications e.g public transport with anywhere in particular? What about medical services? As one ages they are essential.

Apoorwoman

Westbourne, just north of Emsworth is nice. Both old and new properties. Shop, post office, Fish & Chip shop and plenty of pubs.