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Liphook: Is it worth it? - John Arbuckle (13th Oct 2008 - 08:15:03) Dear Liphook Residents, Firstly, please forgive the upfront nature of this post. My wife and I (with our two young boys, 5&9) are thinking of relocating to the Liphook area from Balham - I know its a cliche, but its for "quality of life", more space and a better future for our kids. I've read with interest the comments on this noticeboard and it appears that there is a lot of dissatisfaction about Liphook and the direction it is going in. We are not hugely familiar with the area, although we have friends in Petersfield, so my question really would be: Would you recommend Liphook as a place to move to, to raise your children and to build your family home? (And where is to be avoided, if anywhere....) Well, at least I thought I'd ask, and no offence intended. Thanks John [editor - hi John, I moved to Liphook 10 years ago, and to be honest I wouldn't want to move away. People will only post about the bits that annoy them, but all towns / villages have their bad points. I'd certainly recommend moving here - now lets see what other residents have to say - Alan]

Re: Liphook: Is it worth it? - Neil (13th Oct 2008 - 09:37:57) John, I have lived in Liphook for 34 years, I have grown up with Liphook and to me it is a great place. One thing I would say it has got too big as a village it use to be this nice place where everyone new everyone but I guess as with all villages change happens. As for schools I think you will be very hard pushed to find better in the area and if you make an effort you will meet lots of nice new friends I am sure. Take the leap if i was you.

Re: Liphook: Is it worth it? - Jan Rathbone (13th Oct 2008 - 11:47:20) I moved to Hampshire 7 years ago, from over 200 miles away, so I can speak with some experience. We don't live in Liphook itself, but in one of the many close, surrounding, villages - and there are plenty to choose from. We take part in village life, both locally and in Liphook, not just for shopping either, the Liphook Carnival is a tradition already. I have two 16 year old boys, who have both received their 'senior' education at Bohunt School and have both left this year, going on to study at college - both 'Beacon status' colleges, one in Alton, the other in Waterlooville. I would never, and have never, looked back. We are happy here and so are the boys. We have made many friends and know our neighbours, both in our village and in Liphook and the surrounding area. Do take a look at the websites of the local schools, and villages, jump on a train and visit some of the areas around Liphook. Why not Google some information on the proposed eco town 'Bordon' and learn how the MOD are moving out and lots of new homes are being built, even the whispers of a new rail station! (ok, might be by 2017, progress is slow, but progress none-the-less). I have friends who live in Balham and have visited us, wishing they could swop! If you can do it, go for it. The Welcome mat is out for you and your family.

Re: Liphook: Is it worth it? - Sarah (13th Oct 2008 - 11:51:25) Hello We're a couple in our thirties who moved to Liphook about four years ago to raise a family and for the exact same reasons as you describe. We also chose it because it was still within reasonable commuter distance to London. I can honestly heartily recommend it. I agree with the previous post about the fact that on a website like this the main posts are complaints, because this is the place to do it. I have no doubt your post will spark an avalanche of messages praising Liphook as well! We think Liphook is lovely. It has beautiful surroundings (much of it National Trust or National Park), walks, good local shops including many farm shops and Liphook has a nice community atmosphere. As people settling in with small children we have found other parents to be very friendly and like minded. I recommend you come to the Bonfire Night Carnival if you want to get a good feel for the place as a nice place to live. Liphook is also close enough to Petersfield, Haslemere, Farnham, Guildford and Gunwharf Quays at Portsmouth for High Street needs and a bit of bustle if you get a craving! We live in one of the small villages just on the outskirts of Liphook and have never had any problems with antisocial behavious or crime (fingers crossed). So I would very much recommend your move to the area.

Re: Liphook: Is it worth it? - Nigel Marr (13th Oct 2008 - 12:25:56) As you can see from the volume of positive posts that you have generated life in Liphook is good. I moved to Liphook in 1999 and if you want to be part of a community and take an active involvement this is the place for you and your family. I can vouch for the sporting side of Liphook as I have the honour of being the chairman of Liphook United FC. We provide football for Under 7 through to Mens football and had the distinction of winning the Hampshire Intermediate Cup last year. There is a vibrant cricket club, tennis club, bowls club to name but a few of the local clubs who can keep you fit. As suggested come and have a look particularly on carnival evening when you can see how much the people of Liphook and the surrounding areas put into their community. Did I mention that we have the best run and thriving Guide and Scout organisations in Hampshire - oh and then there's the annual charity bike ride. Sorry to go on but there is much to be part of here. Nigel

Re: Liphook: Is it worth it? - Eneida (13th Oct 2008 - 12:33:16) I moved to Liphook 7 years ago from the south Devon coast, an area that many people aspire to live in for the 'quality of life', if TV programmes are anything to go by and I can honestly say that Liphook is just as good. In fact, it feels safer as far as crime goes....I'm not forever tripping over drug fuelled beggars with dogs on string here!! Eneida

Re: Liphook: Is it worth it? - Barry Hope (13th Oct 2008 - 12:47:54) Hi John As the editor of this site says, there are always examples of antisocial behaviour in any village or town across the country. Most events happen late at night around the centre of the village after pub kick out time. You wont experience much of this behaviour if you don’t live in the centre of Liphook. The local community work very well together to not only address any issues but also to enhance the day to day life in the village. You only need to look at some of the links to the left of the page to see just how many clubs, societies; organisations exist to cater for most interests. I would especially recommend having a look at Liphook in Bloom who regularly win awards each year without fail. The Liphook Carnival is one of the best for miles around and people attend from outlying villages and towns to see it and be involved. The schools are great and of course we have, as has been said, hundreds of acres of forestry land, country walks and footpaths to follow. We have a first class golf course, lovely pubs of all varieties serving good quality value for money food and also our very own entertainment centre at the Millennium Centre. For regular dinner dances there is the Old Thorns Hotel and Restaurant. The list goes on but by far the most important thing is the people of Liphook. By volunteering so much of their time they make Liphook what it is. I would certainly recommend moving here.

Re: Liphook: Is it worth it? - Chris (13th Oct 2008 - 13:14:20) Moved here from West Sussex in 1998 and must say that it is a fine place to live with an excellent sense of community spirit. Best kept village and South in bloom prizes, excellent bonfire night carnival, superb countryside and just about every church denomination you can imagine. Bohunt is a great school as are the nearbyish 6th form colleges (Alton and Godalming) but then we are also close to Petersfield for Churchers and Bedales. North-east Hampshire is a lovely place with lots of walks and excellent village pubs and restaurants. We are close to the south downs and at the same time close to Guildford and other places in Surrey. Like all "large" villages it has some issues mainly concerned with keeping the place desirable and not over built upon. Having taken the plunge to leave London way back I will never look back. This is a fine place to live and no mistake; take a week or two in a local hotel and explore the area. You will not regret the move.

Re: Liphook: Is it worth it? - Jo Herridge (13th Oct 2008 - 15:29:08) Hi, my husband and I decided to leave the city life of Portsmouth behind and moved to Liphook last year and mainly for the same reasons as you. it is overall the best decision we ever made. Jo

Re: Liphook: Is it worth it? - Sue Marshall (13th Oct 2008 - 15:43:05) Since moving to Liphook from London 12 years ago we have been very happy here despite lots of changes to the village/small town. If it weren't for the fact that our long term plan has always been to move to France we would happily stay put. There are quite a few houses for sale around and about (including ours!) and with 4 estate agents here there is plenty of choice. One of the things we found best about Liphook was just what a friendly place it is. It is often said that you have to head northwards to find friendly and welcoming people but Liphook belies the reputation of unfriendly southerners. As a dog-walking area it is amazing, we are really spoilt for choice. And if you are interested in ancient history and/or archeology then there is plenty of evidence of the Roman occupation including a Roman road! Nowhere is perfect of course but Liphook and the surrounding villages come pretty close. We shall miss it when we eventually leave.

Re: Liphook: Is it worth it? - Steve Read (13th Oct 2008 - 17:33:39) Hi John, Just to say after 50 years here, things have obviously changed but still a very good place to live. Agree with all other posters, come on down and give it a go. Regards, Steve

Re: Liphook: Is it worth it? - Karen Feeney (13th Oct 2008 - 18:55:38) Is it worth it? Yes it is. We moved here in 2002 (my mum lived in Bramshott as a child and I lived in Hindhead for most of my life so knew Liphook well) and I can honestly say that we find life here great. Yes, there are the odd problems as have been noted in Talkback, but I am afraid these problems spring up anywhere and everywhere. We have a young family and for us, Liphook offers everything, good schools, shops, clubs and associations, good road and rail links, fab pub (The Links) within walking distance and a very friendly community. Once you move in you won't want to move out!! Do bear in mind that this site is used to air grievances so try to look for the good comments about the village and not the unflattering! Karen Feeney

Re: Liphook: Is it worth it? - Sue W (13th Oct 2008 - 20:46:18) John, I too would recommend the area, I also live outside of the main village, and there are many smaller villages and hamlets around. As you would know Petersfield is not too far away, and the A3 gives a good link to north and south. I really can't say if it is better here than further a field, as all my 47 years have been spent no further than a 20 mile radius of Liphook. May sound sad, but if you like something why change it!! I would like to endorse the view of making the trip to our Carnival, friends of ours come from Wimbledon every year. As the editor said, all areas will suffer from disruptive behaviour, but as proved on one of the threads you probably read, the police are very pro-active here, with a small office attached to the Millennium Hall. Best of luck with wherever you end up Sue

Re: Liphook: Is it worth it? - Niall G (15th Oct 2008 - 09:07:45) We moved here just over three years ago as a positive decision to put roots down 'somewhere nice'. The area is beautiful and we love being out in the country on walks, runs, bike rides. We have found our neighbours to be friendly and welcoming, without exception, and sure, we do tend to get on this website and gripe about local problems such as traffic, development, shopping etc, but I think it is only because we care about the area we live in, in a way that we haven't done anywhere else we have lived. Niall

Re: Liphook: Is it worth it? - Finchie (16th Oct 2008 - 12:19:41) John, Don't do it. It's been a 6 year nightmare. Loads of points ... People are far too friendly down here, it takes ages to get the shopping done for all the conversation bumping into people. I miss the nice hum of traffic and fumes. Down here you can actually get from A to B quickly and hence miss all the interesting bits on FIVE LIVE. The kids are far too happy - they want to interact, play in the park, get out in the fresh air. Life was so much easier when they just went to their bedrooms and played on the computer. My wife has made loads of great friends, met at the school gates, and we constantly do social events - all when the rugby/football/cricket is on the box. Couple of weeks ago I went for a cycle with a few people all over the downs. Firstly they are very hilly - not good - give me a flat road anytime. Again a complete nightmare - no adrenaline rush through dodging cars and pedestrians. At one point we stopped at the top of the hill with a view of the whole of the south of england - to complete silence. As an avid plane spotter I was gutted - not one plane in sight. Bring back the Heathrow flight path. As for the pubs - you end up drinking too much coz they serve you far too quickly. I used to enjoy the general scrum in town trying to get served. Last Sunday, a rare sunny day we hopped in the car and 30 minutes later we were at Gunwharf Quays in Portsmouth having a beer by the harbour as the sun was setting - it was dreadful, I forgot my sunglasses and was charged 2.60 for a couple of hours parking - daylight robbery. I suppose the postive is there is a great website - but you can get to that from anywhere. Finally, if you do make the move, for goodness sake don't tell anyone else its any good otherwise well have the whole of b&*()y London coming down. Cheers, Finchie

Re: Liphook: Is it worth it? - ellen (16th Oct 2008 - 12:38:20) Very good Finchie!!

Re: Liphook: Is it worth it? - Sue (16th Oct 2008 - 18:18:49) Ellen I totally agree. good to see some humour returning 'Finchie'.

Re: Liphook: Is it worth it? - Darren F (20th Oct 2008 - 12:33:35) Liphook is great !!!!! ,we have two children aged 7 and 3 , we certainly wouldnt want them growing up any where else.

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