The south of England is a fantastic place to live. With multiple national parks, a beautiful coastline, pretty villages, vibrant cities, absorbing culture, great transport links and so much more… the south has got something for everyone.
As estate agents in the region, we know some of very best places to live and are willing to share our secrets. Read on to find out our shortlist of the most desirable places to live in the south of England…
Top three things to love about Winchester:
Delightful Winchester was named ‘The Best Place to Live in Britain’ in the Sunday Times Best Places to Live guide[i] a few years ago. Its cobbled streets, a gorgeous cathedral, boutique shops and fascinating history create the perfect backdrop while excellent schools, university, easy transport links to London and surrounding countryside fill in the details.
Residents agree with us that it is one of the best places to live Hampshire, if not the whole country. It tops our shortlist and, if you are thinking of moving to the south, is certainly somewhere you should consider, too.
A two-bedroom house in Winchester currently fetches an average price of £385,482.
A four-bedroom house is around £968,430.[ii]
To find properties for sale in Winchester click here.
To find properties to rent in Winchester click here.
Top three things to love about Salisbury:
Salisbury, another cathedral city, is a narrow second on our list and certainly one of the best places to live Wiltshire. Winding streets, a large market square, independent shops and restaurants and rich cultural scene make Salisbury a fantastic place to call home.
Within easy reach of national landmarks such as Stonehenge, the city is a firm favourite with visitors from near and far and came third in Garrington’s poll 2022[iii]. Definitely keep it in mind if you are moving to the region.
A two-bedroom home in Salisbury costs an average of £238,053.
A four-bedroom home will cost around £619,371.[iv]
Top three things to love about Farnham:
Garrington ranked Farnham as the best place to live in Surrey and placed it 61st in the country as a whole.[v] The 12th Century castle, arts centre and museums have got culture covered while the lovely surroundings, woodlands, walks and cycle routes give residents their fresh air fix.
There are great places to eat and drink, good schools and the town is only an hour from central London by train. Go and check it out for yourself if you are property hunting in the area.
A two-bedroom house in Farnham costs an average of £372,300.
A four-bedroom house is around £968,323.
To find properties for sale in Farnham click here.
To find properties to rent in Farnham click here.
Top three things to love about Southampton:
For somewhere with a real ‘city’ feel while still on the beautiful south coast, Southampton ticks an awful lot of boxes for residents. Bustling and boasting a huge array of amenities, from theatres and shops to museums and multiple universities, this city is an extremely popular place for people of all ages.
Next to the New Forest, you are always in easy reach of stunning countryside, while ferries wait to whisk you to the nearby Isle of Wight for a jaunt, and planes from Southampton Airport journey to internal and international hubs.
The average two-bedroom house in Southampton costs £240,053.
For a four-bedroom house the average price is £503,958.[vi]
To find properties for sale in Southampton click here.
To find properties to rent in Southampton click here.
Top three things to love about Petersfield:
An ancient market town in the middle of the South Downs National Park, Petersfield has got to be one of the best places to live in Hampshire. There are excellent schools, independent shops and restaurants, a 69 acre heath and great transport links. There is plenty to explore in and around the town.
If you had not previously considered this gem, be sure to check out the purchase and rental opportunities in the area. We are always on hand to help.
On average, a two-bedroom property in Petersfield costs £289,565.
A four-bedroom property is around £784,063.[vii]
Top three things to love about Southsea:
In a recent Muddy Stilettos poll, Southsea ranked in the top 10 places to live in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight[viii]. We did not need a poll to tell us how great this Brighton-esque town is, but it’s nice that it’s getting some well-deserved recognition.
East of Old Portsmouth, this vibrant town perfectly blends Victorian charm with hipster character. A long beach, pier and Solent views constantly remind you of your vicinity to the sea while nearby Portsmouth provides all the big-city amenities you could ever need.
A two-bedroom house in Southsea fetches an average price of £263,066.
A four-bedroom house costs around £704,861.[ix]
Top three things to love about Stockbridge:
Last but by no means least on our list is Stockbridge: one of the best places to live Hampshire. North of Southampton, this small town was also recognised by Muddy Stilettos as a gem of a place to live. It is pretty, quaint, welcoming and surrounded by glorious countryside.
If you are after a bustling scene, Stockbridge is not for you but, if country pubs, fly fishing and village vibes are up your street, then maybe check out the streets in this area.
A two-bedroom house in Stockbridge costs around £411,990.
A four-bedroom house is around £926,786.[x]
Whether you are looking for the best places to live in Surrey, Hampshire, or Wiltshire, we are here as your local estate agents to help. While this shortlist highlights some of the most desirable places in the area, it really is the tip of the iceberg… and we can’t wait to show you around.
If you have got any questions about moving nearby or we can guide your property search, please get in touch. Our experienced, friendly team are here to help.
[i] https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-35855783 [Accessed 23/11/22]
[ii] https://www.home.co.uk/guides/house_prices.htm?location=winchester [Accessed 1/12/22]
[iii] https://www.garrington.co.uk/best-places-to-live-in-2022/ [Accessed 23/11/22]
[iv] https://www.home.co.uk/guides/house_prices.htm?location=salisbury [Accessed 1/12/22]
[v] https://www.garrington.co.uk/best-places-to-live-in-2022/ [Accessed 23/11/22]
[vi][vi] https://www.home.co.uk/guides/house_prices.htm?location=southampton [Accessed 1/12/22]
[vii] https://www.home.co.uk/guides/house_prices.htm?location=petersfield [Accessed 1/12/22]
[viii] https://www.hampshirelive.news/news/hampshire-news/8-best-places-live-hampshire-6782006 [Accessed 23/11/22]
[ix] https://www.home.co.uk/guides/house_prices.htm?location=southsea [Accessed 1/12/22]
[x] https://www.getagent.co.uk/area/stockbridge [Accessed 1/12/22]
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