Moving to… Andover
As a well-connected countryside town, Andover enjoys easy access to London and popular tourist towns like Windsor. It’s surrounded by sprawling countryside and is located in the Test Valley, known for its scenic landscape in northwest Hampshire. The town itself is growing in popularity, and many nearby villages are known for their charm. Here, we’ve got the lowdown if you’re thinking about moving to Andover, including property prices, living costs and more.
A brief history of Andover
Andover’s name was first recorded as Andeferas in Old English as far back as 955, but it was first mentioned when King Edred built a hunting lodge there in 950. It developed as a wool town and was an important staging post for coaches travelling between London and Salisbury. For most of the 20th century, it was an RAF town before becoming home to the Army Headquarters in 2012.
Where is Andover
Andover has both older, period homes and new-build developments, offering homeowners a good mix of property types. The town centre is popular with movers, as are nearby villages like Hurstbourne Tarrant, St Mary’s Bourne and The Chutes.
Moving to Andover
Andover has both older, period homes and new-build developments, offering homeowners a good mix of property types. The town centre is popular with movers, as are nearby villages like Hurstbourne Tarrant, St Mary’s Bourne, The Chutes.
Buying in Andover
The average sold price in Andover is £359,720, which is similar to the UK national average of £329,547. Expect to pay an average of £604,933 for a detached home, £243,826 for a terraced house and just £158,542 for an apartment.
There’s a varied selection of estate and letting agents in Andover, with chain and independent options available to help you find a home.
Renting in Andover
One-bedroom homes rent for an average of £750 per month in Andover, with two-bedroom properties fetching in the region of £875 per month. For larger homes, expect to pay an average of £1,200 per month.
Cost of living
If you’re moving to Andover, you can expect to pay the same as the UK national average for everyday living. A meal for one person is around £15, while a cappuccino and a pint of milk cost about £2.85 and £1.15 respectively.
Utility bills are lower than the national average (UK average £155) in Andover, at around £140 per month for electricity, heating, cooling, water and waste disposal. Expect to pay around £30 per month for broadband.
Living in Andover
Open spaces
Andover is part of Test Valley, meaning you’ll find plenty of splendid nearby villages to enjoy. Residents also have easy access to the many swathes of Hampshire countryside, including the Anton Lakes and Rooksbury Mill Nature Reserve.
Transport links
It’s easy to get in and out of the town, with the A303 linking to the M3 and the A34 leading to the M4. Trains take around 20 minutes to Basingstoke, while services arrive in London Waterloo in just over an hour.
Shopping
The town centre is where you will find most of the shops in Andover. On the high street, you’ll find a selection of chain stores, as well as a few independent options. There are also a few boutiques selling items like antiques, books and jewellery.
Eateries
Choose from a range of cuisines, whether you’re enjoying lunch or a meal out at dinner. Andover has got you pretty much covered with authentic dishes from around the Indian subcontinent, and restaurants with contemporary menus and afternoon teas.
Nightlife
While Andover doesn’t have an extensive range of nightlife options, there are a few spots where you can enjoy a drink and a dance.
Art & culture
Learn about the UK’s ancient history at the Andover Museum and Museum of the Iron Age. It’s located in a Georgian townhouse and features archaeological findings from the Bronze Age and Saxon times. For local art, head to Ace Framing and Art Gallery.
Things to do
Spend some time at the Hawk Conservancy Trust and see different birds. For more history, visit Bury Hill, a former Iron Age hillfort site. It’s just 1.5 miles southwest of Andover centre and is about 22 acres.
What’s not to like?
It’s somewhat short on amenities for a town, especially when compared to nearby Basingstoke and Winchester.
Who lives there?
Andover has a population of just 38,000 and a median age of 42.
Typical broadband speeds
The average broadband speed is 112mbps in Andover, which is significantly faster than the UK national average of 67mbps.
Crime rates
The overall crime rate in Andover averages around 91 crimes per 1,000 people.
Moving to Andover
Move iQ’s property report provides an in-depth analysis of specific properties as well as details about the local area of Andover. If you’re thinking of moving, make sure you get one first!
Last Updated: November 1st, 2024
