Just 50 miles outside of London, you will find Basingstoke, a popular commuter town with a modern feel. It’s surrounded by the Hampshire countryside, and port towns and cities like Southampton and Bournemouth aren’t far away. If you’re considering moving to Basingstoke, you’ve got a little bit of everything on your doorstep. Here, we look at what it’s like to live in this Hampshire town, local house prices and everything there is to do and see.
A brief history of Basingstoke
Basingstoke’s roots date back to the Iron Age when it was a small market town, a status held until the early 1960s. At this point, it expanded to become the largest town in Hampshire after an agreement between London County Council and Hampshire County Council.
Where is Basingstoke
Basingstoke is a town in the county of Hampshire, situated in south-central England and lying across a valley at the source of the River Loddon. It’s located 30 miles northeast of Southampton, 48 miles southwest of London and a little over 25 miles west of Guildford.
Moving to Basingstoke
There’s a good mix of houses in Basingstoke, although much of the housing was built after the 1960s. Expect to find several new-build developments, including homes and high-rise apartments around the town’s centre. In 2020, it was named one of the best places to live in Britain by Halifax’s Quality of Living Survey.
Buying in Basingstoke
The average sold price in Basingstoke is £345,114, which is slightly higher than the UK national average of £329,547. Expect to pay an average of £553,466 for a detached home, £288,111 for a terraced house and £175,008 for an apartment.
There’s a varied selection of estate and letting agents in Basingstoke, with chain and independent options available to help you find a home.
Renting in Basingstoke
One-bedroom homes rent for an average of £950 per month in Basingstoke, with two-bedroom properties fetching in the region of £1,300 per month. For larger homes, expect to pay an average of £1,500 per month.
Cost of living
If you’re moving to Basingstoke, you can expect to pay similar prices to the rest of the UK for everyday living. A meal for one person is around £15, while a cappuccino and a pint of milk cost about £2.75p and £85p respectively.
Utility bills are lower than the national average (UK average £155) in Basingstoke, at around £136 per month for electricity, heating, cooling, water and waste disposal. Expect to pay around £25 per month for broadband.
Living in Basingstoke
Open spaces
The town has plenty of parks and open spaces, including Eastrop Park with its boating river and lake. The gardens of Basing House are also popular with people looking for a peaceful stroll and somewhere to relax. There’s also plenty of Hampshire countryside to explore nearby, including the Hampshire Downs.
Transport links
Basingstoke benefits from convenient transport links, with the train station offering direct services into London Waterloo and Clapham, as well as Southampton, Bournemouth and Manchester. Motorists enjoy easy access thanks to its proximity to the M3.
Shopping
The town centre is the place to go for all your shopping needs. Here, you’ll find a good selection of high-street favourites and independent shops. Festival Place is an award-winning shopping centre with mayor brands.
Eateries
Basingstoke offers some cosy eateries, some with wood beams and a fireplace serving Turkish cuisine, seafood and pasta. Basingstoke also has popular chain restaurants dishing up various types of dishes.
Nightlife
Basingstoke is well served by bars and nightclubs, one even has three floors and live DJs. There’s also a range of bars and pubs.
Art & culture
The Milestone Museum has a range of collections and cares for over 2.5 million historic objects. For local art, try Willis Museum and Sainsbury Gallery: it’s a local-history museum featuring diverse exhibits dating back more than 100 years.
Things to do
If you fancy yourself as a bit of an ice skater, Planet Ice has a rink where you can pull off some moves. Or try Flip Out, an indoor trampoline park offering a great day out for the whole family. Nearby Highclere Castle offers something slightly more peaceful. Plus, it was the setting for the popular TV show Downton Abbey.
What’s not to like?
It’s a bit same-y compared to many other towns that became prominent in the 1960s. You know the drill before you’ve even arrived: plenty of roundabouts, newish homes, and a town centre with a shopping centre.
Who lives there?
Basingstoke has a population of more than 85,000 and a median age of 42.
Typical broadband speeds
The average broadband speed is 75mbps in Basingstoke, which is faster than the UK national average of 67mbps.
Crime rates
The overall crime rate in Basingstoke averages around 77 crimes per 1,000 people.
Moving to Basingstoke
Move iQ’s property report provides an in-depth analysis of specific properties as well as details about the local area of Basingstoke. If you’re thinking of moving, make sure you get one first!
Last Updated: September 14th, 2022
