Are you considering living in Locks Heath?
This lovely area located between Southampton and Portsmouth has so much to offer to a variety of different buyers.
It is a particularly popular spot with both tourists and buyers.
In this article, we will cover some of the main reasons that people are choosing to move to Locks Heath.
Relocating to a new area, town or city is never simple!
It is often made more of a challenge when you do not know a lot about the area you are thinking of moving to.
If you have decided to call Locks Heath home, then you are in the right place!
As with relocating to any area, there are various things to consider when thinking of moving to Locks Heath
We are aware that the moving process can sometimes seem very daunting!
If you are thinking of moving to Locks Heath, we are here to assist you as best we can.
In this blog, we will attempt to provide you with a better understanding of what Locks Heath is like.
Creating a better understanding of what you can expect when moving to Locks Heath will surely help with your decision to make the move.
Here are some great reasons to move to Locks Heath!
House Prices
Buyers looking to purchase a home in Locks Heath can look forward to a wonderful mix of old and new properties of all sizes.
Many of Locks Heath’s older bungalows and houses built in the 1950s and sitting on large plots, have either been demolished or have been subdivided and sold to make way for modern estates and one-off new builds.
According to Zoopla, there are currently 47 homes for sale in the area.
The current average cost to buy a home in Locks Heath is £377,563.
As with any area, there are plenty of different properties available in the Locks Heath area.
Starting at the lower end of the market, flats are the cheapest properties available.
Those with a tighter budget but still wanting to live in a house should consider looking at terraced properties.
Unlike flats, these properties tend to have a small front and back garden and can vary in size and style.
There are also plenty of detached and semi-detached properties available in the area.
Whilst these homes tend to be on the more expensive side, they provide a little more space both inside and outside.
Although there are no large construction sites currently being built in Locks Heath, there has been plenty of new-build activity in nearby areas.
In line with Government policy for the region, Bovis Homes and Linden Homes are in the middle of an impressive development consisting of hundreds of 1,2-,3- & 4-bedroom homes within a new community called North Whiteley.
To find out more about this project, check out Zoopla.
Cost of Living in Locks Heath
Your cost of living will vary depending on where in the UK you live.
Broadly speaking, northern areas tend to have a lower cost of living than southern locations but, anomalies do occur.
The one certain thing is that (unless you are a millionaire), no matter where you live or how much you earn there are times when we have all struggled to make ends meet.
If you are moving to Locks Heath from a city, then you should see your money stretch a little further.
If for instance, if you have moved away from a major city like London the price of daily necessities will seem much more reasonable.
So, is life in Locks Heath expensive?
This question is hard to answer as everyone’s spending habits differ, some are naturally more careful with money than others.
Something that is universal however is that your spending patterns may leave plenty of room to save money, especially in a couple of key areas.
Ways To Save Money
- Go through your finances with a fine-tooth comb, wheedle out and cancel any subscriptions you either don’t or hardly ever use.
- Do you need a large car? Buy a smaller one preferably a hybrid, you will save hundreds of pounds a year on maintenance and fuel costs.
- Reduce your energy usage. A minor change to make which can save you a significant amount. Most see it as a huge inconvenience to change suppliers but nowadays it is easy as the new provider will do everything for you.
- Investing in a programmable thermostat will ensure you aren’t heating your house when you are not at home.
These are just a few ideas to consider, of course, there are many more areas you can tweak too.
While the word “budget” is often associated with restricted spending, a budget does not have to be restrictive to be effective.
Taking a close look at each monthly expense and considering whether you truly need it or whether you could use the cash toward something else is simple but incredibly cost-effective.
Living in Locks Heath doesn’t mean you have to shop at expensive stores.
There are lots of “budget-friendly” ones in the area. Lidl, Aldi, Home Bargains, B&M and Iceland (the usual suspects) are all within a two-mile radius of the area so, keeping your grocery costs down is made all the easier.
Taking care of your finances ensures that you lead a comfortable, debt-free and most importantly a happy life!
Shopping in Locks Heath
Moving to Locks Heath ensures you have access to some great shops!
Whilst you may think shopping will be best in neighbouring Southampton or Portsmouth, Locks Heath in fact has some great choices of its own!
The local Waitrose along with good independent shops, including a butcher’s, wine merchant and hardware store ensure locals have a great choice of basic amenities.
When it comes to eating and drinking there is a choice of coffee shops, Strawberry Field Tavern which pays reverence to the historic strawberry growing the area was once renowned for.
There is also the very well-regarded Italian restaurant, Franco & Paolo.
Locks Heath also provides residents with a local library, surgery, pharmacy and three community centres.
There’s a real sense of self-containment and self-sufficiency when moving to Locks Heath.
Whilst the option to travel the 9 miles to Southampton, 14 miles to Portsmouth and just 4 miles to Fareham is always a possibility, a move to Locks Heath ensures there is no need to travel too far for a spot of shopping.
Schools and Education in Locks Heath
Locks Heath provides its residents with an excellent choice of schools.
Ensuring you have access to good schools will be a big factor for those moving with families.
Luckily, this high level of education runs all the way from primary school age up to college and sixth form!
Locks Heath has several primary schools that cater to children aged 4 to 11.
Some of the top primary schools in the area include Crofton Hammond Junior School, Harefield Primary School and Sarisbury Church of England Junior School.
All three of these schools received an ‘Outstanding’ report at their latest Ofsted inspection, separating them from the rest!
When it comes to secondary schools, Crofton School is the main school.
The school provides education for students aged 11 to 16, offering a wide range of subjects and extracurricular activities.
The school received a ‘good’ report from its last Ofsted inspection.
For students aged 16 and above, there aren’t any further education options available in Locks Heath, however, the wider Fareham area makes up for this.
Fareham College is a popular choice, offering vocational courses, apprenticeships, and A-level programs.
The college is a great option for many, having received an ‘Outstanding’ report at its most recent Ofsted inspection!
Clearly, those thinking of moving to Locks Heath can expect excellent education provisions.
Rail Connections
Whilst Locks Heath does not have its own railway station, locals are fortunate enough to still have access to rail links very close by.
The nearest railway station is Swanwick, located approximately 2 miles northeast of Locks Heath.
Swanwick Railway Station is served by South Western Railway and provides direct connections to Southampton, Portsmouth, and other destinations.
Swanwick station also allows for convenient travel into the capital.
There is a direct service from the station arriving at London Vicotria, with the journey taking 2 hours 15 minutes on average.
You also have the option of travelling into Southampton to change to a faster train to London.
Whilst Locks Heath doesn’t benefit from its own station, nearby Swanwickensures you can access different parts of the country very easily.
Road Connections in Locks Heath
Life in Locks Heath with a car ensures that you can very easily navigate both the local area and the rest of the UK.
Locks Heath benefits from its proximity to a number of different major road networks, meaning it is easily accessible by car.
The biggest major road in the area is the M27 motorway.
Located around 5 minutes away, the M27 provides connections to Southampton, Portsmouth, and other cities along the south coast.
The M27 also connects to the M3 motorway, meaning that access to London and other destinations further north is made particularly easy.
Are you thinking of living in Locks Heath?
Regardless of if you are moving for the beautiful houses or the great everyday costs, living in Locks Heath is an excellent choice!
If you have made up your mind and are ready to move, we are here to help you get your new journey in Locks Heath 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.
