When people think about living in Hampshire, they often picture Winchester with its cathedral and history, or the New Forest with its wild ponies and open heathland. East Hampshire too has long been seen as the county’s green heart.
Yet the latest figures point to a quiet shift. They show that Andover, often overlooked, is fast becoming the smart choice for those looking to settle in Hampshire without paying a premium.
The numbers tell the story clearly. The average house price in Test Valley, where Andover sits, is £381,000. In Winchester, it is £465,000, and in East Hampshire, £445,000. For renters, the gap is just as striking, with average monthly rents in Andover around £300 lower than in Winchester. For anyone planning retirement or simply wanting more space for their money, the evidence is hard to ignore.
Crucially, this lower cost does not come at the expense of safety or connections. Crime figures put Test Valley at 64.2 incidents per 1,000 people, almost identical to Winchester and the New Forest. Train services reach London Waterloo in as little as one hour and two minutes, making family visits or city trips easy and reliable.
Healthcare is close at hand too. Andover War Memorial Hospital provides outpatient clinics, rehabilitation services and hospice care, while larger hospitals in Winchester and Basingstoke are within easy reach. It is the right balance of local convenience and specialist support.
Perhaps most telling of all is the housing market trend. While house prices in Winchester and the New Forest have fallen over the past year, Test Valley has seen a 3.3 percent rise. That shows Andover is not only more affordable but also holding its value better than some of Hampshire’s most sought-after locations.
Luke Bell from Bournes in Andover said:
“Andover is undoubtedly a highly convenient location, having easy access across the south, with both a mainline train station and the A303. We do see people moving to the Andover area from areas closer to London, looking for more affordable housing and greater access to the countryside, while still being accessible when they need to commute to work. As Andover is just outside of the commuter belt, fulfils the price requirement, and has also been able to retain the village life in the surrounding countryside, that attracts people to the area.
“The rental market is strong in Andover, with rental prices increasing year on year, as demand has increased. The perfect storm of tax changes and legislation changes have created uncertainty for landlords, causing many to sell their portfolios; this in turn has caused demand to outstrip supply, creating the price issue. The latest government changes due in November are set to make this worse!
“Andover has a surprising amount of industry and corporations, but further investment in that area would be ideal to increase the desire for people to move here. Similarly, as a market town, it would be great to see Andover highlight it’s history and draw in shops that would allow an increase in tourism, creating more jobs and more money.”
John Ward from Austin Hawk in Andover also commented on the town:
“Andover’s property market is influenced by its desirable location, transport links, and ongoing infrastructure projects, such as the town centre redevelopment.
“While house prices in Andover are higher than the UK average, they are significantly lower than the average for the South East of England, making it an attractive option for those looking for more affordable homes in the region, with the ability to commute to London and the surrounding cities, comparatively priced higher outside of the Test Valley.
“Put all this together and the picture is clear. Andover offers affordable homes, low crime, good healthcare, fast transport links and access to the same beautiful countryside the county is known for. The statistics are no longer whispering but shouting the message: Andover has become the smart choice for living in Hampshire.”
Sources:
