Are you considering living in Basingstoke?
If you are thinking of moving to this popular town this is the article for you!
Living in Basingstoke provides locals with an array of exceptional advantages.
This post aims to provide you with as much knowledge about what to expect when living in Basingstoke as possible.
Relocating to a new town or city is never simple!
This is often made more challenging when you do not know much about the region.
There are various factors to consider when moving to a new region.
On top of this, there are additional stresses of the actual moving process.
We understand that this whole process can be incredibly overwhelming.
We are here to help!
In this blog, we will help you to better understand what living in Basingstoke is like.
Having a well-informed understanding of what living in the area is like will surely help with your decision to move there.
This is our guide to moving to Basingstoke!
House Prices in Basingstoke
Living in Basingstoke means buyers have a variety of housing options available to them.
Stunning Victorian homes, cosy terraced properties in the town centre, a choice of period Edwardian properties and a huge selection of new build homes.
A Little further out of town, in Old Basing, buyers can find rural properties.
These can be very desirable.
Prices in these rural locations can reach well over £1 million!
According to Zoopla, the average property price in Basingstoke is £335,342.
Detached homes are selling for an average of £494,583, with semis averaging at £379,636.
Terraces are currently sitting at £301,472 and flats at £188,507.
For those renting, you can expect to pay an average of £1,509 per month.
It is important to keep in mind that property prices are liable to change.
Those considering a move to the area should be sure to stay up to date with all the latest property prices in and around Basingstoke.
Keeping your finger on the pulse of the property market is essential and could help you to find a great deal when it pops up!
Schools in Basingstoke
One of the biggest stressors for parents is finding a suitable school for their child.
In some areas, it can prove to be a real challenge and will influence where exactly you choose to start looking for your next property.
Some people find a school they like and then find somewhere to live in the vicinity.
Others do it the other way around.
However, one thing is for sure, Basingstoke is more than adequate when it comes to its education provision.
With almost 60 primaries, 10 secondaries some of which are also 6th forms, and several colleges, getting the best for your family should not be too difficult.
Notable primaries include Castle Hill Infant School and Oakridge Infant School.
Ofsted gave both an “outstanding” report across the board.
The Ashwood Academy, Everest Community Academy and The Vyne Community School are among the many secondaries who were rated as “good” following their most recent inspections.
Queen Mary’s College (QMC) and Basingstoke College of Technology (BCoT) provide further education for older students.
QMC a former grammar school teaches a range of AS and A-level courses in 40 different subjects, as well as several vocational courses and BTEC National Diplomas.
(BCoT) is spread across three campuses and also offers plenty of choices.
It is well known for its wide range of industry-standard facilities which includes an in-house restaurant, a salon, and an air cabin crew training facility.
Shopping in Basingstoke
You are in for a treat if you decide to spend some time shopping in Basingstoke.
With so much choice, there is no chance of going home empty-handed when you shop in Basingstoke.
There are several main shopping locations, consisting of two malls, a market and the main high street so you are sure to find what you are looking for at one of them.
Festival Place is Basingstoke’s premier retail destination and one of the South’s best.
A large shopping centre which sits in the centre of town and houses over 160 stores, 20 or more eateries and a 10-screen Vue multiplex cinema, a shopper’s delight.
The Mall is smaller but is in a handy position with easy access from the train station and good connections via local buses.
Better for a quick in-and-out shop.
Basingstoke Market is always buzzing with activity. Packed with everything from fresh produce, bread, fish, meat, vegetables and much more.
Held every Wednesday and Saturday in the central market square is incredibly well attended.
With an excellent selection of 29 stores, Chineham Shopping Centre is the destination for busy shoppers looking for great retail stores or somewhere to relax.
Conveniently located with plenty of parking.
Known as the “Top of the Town” is another unique area with a host of places to not just shop, but to eat as well, alongside Basingstoke’s Haymarket Theatre or The Willis Museum, the hub of Basingstoke’s nightlife.
Things to do in Basingstoke
A visit to Basingstoke will uncover a host of interesting things to do and see.
You will find a rich heritage dating back to Roman times and beyond and also the best entertainment venues to rival that of any modern town the UK has to offer.
Although there are too many places to list in totality, here are just a few (according to Tripadvisor) of Basingstoke’s highlights:
- Milestones Museum
- Odiham Castle
- Eastrop Park
- The Anvil Theatre
- Festival Place Shopping Mall
- The Haymarket
- Willis Museum & Sainsbury Gallery
Jobs in Basingstoke
In 1944 Basingstoke was selected to accommodate part of the London ‘overspill’.
Prior to the ‘London Plan’ Basingstoke was a small market town and remained so until the 1950s.
During the 1960s however, it began to expand rapidly.
This growth was due in part to the town’s location.
Basingstoke’s situation provides easy access to other towns and cities in the region.
London is around 48 miles away, Southampton 30 miles and Reading is 16 miles away!
Nicknamed the “Roundabout City” due to the huge number of roundabouts in the town which help maintain a notoriously rapid road network.
Today, Basingstoke is seen as a prosperous town.
It enjoys an above-average standard of living as well as low unemployment rates.
Basingstoke is an economic hub!
In fact, it is home to some very notable companies.
These include the headquarters of Sun Life Financial of Canada, The Automobile Association, ST Ericsson, GAME, Motorola and Sony.
Other industries present in the town include drug manufacturing, IT, insurance and electronics.
There are clearly some excellent employment opportunities if you are thinking of living in Basingstoke!
Rail Connections
Life in Basingstoke ensures that locals are extremely well-connected.
This is especially the case thanks to the town’s wonderful railway network.
The station is a major hub for not only the town but also the surrounding areas, providing excellent links to several larger areas both locally and nationally.
Here are some of the services that locals can make the most of:
- South West Main Line: Basingstoke station lies on this line, which offers both local and fast services to London Waterloo, operated by South Western Railway. This 45-minute journey ensures that Basingstoke is a viable commuter location for those who work in the capital but want to make the most of the cheaper properties offered in the town.
- Great Western Railway: Basingstoke also serves as the terminus for local services on the Reading to Basingstoke Line. This convenient link offers a host of opportunities to travel not only locally but also much further afield. Reading station is the second busiest interchange station in the UK and offers a range of possibilities for onward travel.
- CrossCountry Services: Long-distance services operated by CrossCountry connect Basingstoke to Bournemouth, Birmingham, Manchester, and further even further north. Moving to Basingstoke certainly ensures you are extremely well-connected to the whole of the UK.
Road Connections
Basingstoke’s road network is equally as comprehensive as its railway and facilitates quick and easy access to a number of major cities and regions.
Depending on your travel plans, there are various options for locals to make the most of the excellent infrastructure on offer in the town.
These are some of the main roads and routes to make the most of:
- M3 Motorway: This major motorway sits on the southeastern edge of Basingstoke and offers direct routes to London to the northeast and Southampton to the southwest. The M3 plays a crucial role in connecting Basingstoke with major cities and ensures that the town is a major hub not only for those who live there but also for those passing through.
- The Ringway: Constructed in the 1960s, this ring road encircles Basingstoke’s centre. It serves as a major local traffic route and significantly reduces the congestion in the town centre. When moving to Basingstoke you will see the benefits of the Ringway in providing easy access to various parts of the town.
- The A33: The A33 is another key connecting road in the region. It extends north-east towards Reading and the M4 motorway, making it another vital link for travel towards various other parts of the greater London area. To the southwest, it connects to Winchester, allowing easy access not only to this historic city but also to the surrounding areas.
There are various other routes that locals are able to take advantage of when relocating to Basingstoke, all of which combine to ensure that the town is extremely well connected.
It is this excellent infrastructure that has seen the popularity of Basingstoke soar.
With more people able to work from home and commute greater distances, Basingstoke is a very attractive proposition.
Ready to Start Living in Basingstoke?
Are you thinking of living in Basingstoke?
Whether you are considering moving for the excellent range of properties, the great job opportunities or some of the excellent things to do, living in Basingstoke is a great choice.
If you have made the big decision to move, we are here to help you get your dream move to Basingstoke underway.
Here at Curtiss & Sons Portsmouth, we are an experienced and professional removals company that has been helping people moving home since 1871.
If you need help and advice on moving your home or perhaps some questions about your house removals, you can get in touch with us on 023 9298 5830 and our friendly team is here to assist you with your enquiry.
