Is Basingstoke A Good Place To Live?
Basingstoke, a town with a thriving cultural scene, good transport links, plenty of green space and an excellent range of schools, is considered among Britain’s most desirable locations for living. According to a 2020 survey, it was voted as one of the top 50 English towns to live in Britain, beating hundreds of other places in the UK.
So, what is it about this quaint town in Hampshire that has made it one of the most favoured places to live in the UK?
6 Reasons Why Basingstoke is a Great Place To Live
1. Excellent Public Transport Network:
Basingstoke was mainly a marshland until the 19th century. But that changed with the arrival of the North London Line railway. Now the town boasts of excellent road, rail and air connectivity. The main train station serving the town is just a stone’s throw away from a bustling shopping area. Both the Great Western Railway and South Western Railway have trains passing through the town. Getting to London is a matter of just 40 minutes from Basingstoke. There are direct train services to other important cities such as Bournemouth, Manchester, and Southampton.
The town also has a ring road for faster mobility. It’s also worth mentioning that parking is not a problem in Basingstoke. And since the town is not that big, most of the important public places like pubs, malls, and shopping areas can be reached on foot from the bus and train stations. The Southampton airport is just 25 minutes away from Basingstoke.
2. Safety:
Basingstoke is one of the safest towns in the UK, with a very low crime rate. There is a sense of community among residents, who have also set up a Safety Team to ensure safety in the town.
3. The cost of living in Basingstoke:
The cost of living is comparatively low, making it an attractive prospect for people looking for affordable housing.
4. Schools and Colleges in Basingstoke:
There is no dearth of quality education in Basingstoke. Most of the schools in the town are either rated as good or outstanding by Ofsted. There are a number primary schools in Basingstoke: Fairfields Primary School, Oakridge Junior School and Maple Ridge School. There are also a number secondary schools including: The Vyne Community School, Dove House School Academy and Cranbourne.
For higher education, Queens Mary College, with a sprawling 30-acre campus, is located in the northern part of the town.
5. Shopping, Entertainment and Social Life:
There are several shopping centres and cinemas around the town centre. Some include, Vue Cinema Basingstoke, Showcase Cinemas, Odeon Cinema, Empire Leicester Square and Picturehouse Central. In central Basingstoke, Festival Place is a major shopping location with a cinema, cafes, amphitheatre, and restaurants.
With its convenient location between London and Winchester, Basingstoke boasts some tremendous retail outlets. There are several supermarkets such as Tesco Express, Morrisons, Sainsbury’s Local and Waitrose, and smaller independent stores selling everything from clothes to books.
You will find many local retailers offering a wide range of goods ranging from homeware to clothing and footwear.
If you’re looking for something different, then head out into the surrounding areas, where you will find many independent retailers selling everything from clothes to books. There’s also a leisure park with an Aquadrome swimming pool.
6. Job opportunities in Basingstoke:
The vibrant town is home to thousands of IT, finance, engineering, pharmaceuticals, and manufacturing companies. Some notable names include Sony, Barclays, Barracuda, De La Rue, GAME and Sun Life Financial. Basingstoke’s economy is worth £5.2 billion, with 90% of businesses being small enterprises. The unemployment rate stands at 2.4%, which is comparatively lower than the national average of 4%. You will likely find a job that suits your profile in Basingstoke – a reason good enough to consider moving to the town.
Why You Should Consider Moving To Basingstoke?
The town of Basingstoke is a good place to consider living if you’re looking for a better quality of life, job opportunities and many excellent facilities for a comfortable living. Many reasons make it a good choice.
The town of Basingstoke has a rich history, idyllic surroundings and a thriving community. In the past few years, there have been more developments involving universities, schools, transport hubs and hospitals. In addition to this, there has also been an increase in cultural opportunities such as museums and art centres for residents and visitors alike, making it even more attractive as a place to live and work. Most importantly, property prices in Basingstoke are reasonable as compared to southeast England.
If you want a taste of village life without missing out on the amenities of a city, Basingstoke is your go-to place!
If you already live in the area and are looking for a trusted roofing service that you can rely on, then give our office a call to discuss your needs!
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