Living in Southampton: where to go?

CCP

I'm probably getting a bit ahead of myself here, but I've recently started applying for jobs in Southampton, and have an interview next week! :j / :eek:

I'm currently living in Portsmouth and can't face doing the commute from here to Southampton every day, so I'll be looking to move. Despite having lived in Portsmouth for several years, though, I don't really know Southampton that well and have no real idea of which areas are good and which are best avoided. I'm hoping that the ever-helpful MSE forumites can give me some advice!

I would be looking for a quieter area, preferably, but within walking distance of some decent pubs / shops / restaurants etc. If I get the job I am being interviewed for next week I would be working for part of the time in Warsash, so somewhere with fairly easy access to this area would be good (I would be driving, although decent public transport is always appreciated). I will also be coming back to Portsmouth quite regularly to see friends so, again, easy access to this area would be helpful.

At least to start with I will be renting, but would be looking to buy in the long-term; I don't have kids so schools aren't an issue.

So - what do you think, peeps?

Mortgage_Mark_2

Most places that side of the river Hamble are pretty nice; West End, Park Gate, Swanwick, Curdridge, Sarisbury are all nice but fairly expensive.

Hedge End isn't a bad shout, it's not that close to Warsash although travel shouldn't be a problem being 1/2 junctions up the M27 and able to connect by rail to Warsash by either going into Southampton or via Fareham (which is also worth considering).

tiggerbodhi

Agree with what MM says, all nice areas, the "rough areas" are fairly easily spotted, similar to the ones in Portsmouth, if you like Suburban hell on earth type places (all new build, 2.4 kids, people carrier and a BMW for the hubby) look at Whiteley, it is a very nice area with good facilities, but stick to the Fareham side

southoftheriver

Bournemouth is lovely.

Yes I know you asked about Southampton but...

Mortgage_Mark_2

southoftheriver wrote: »

Bournemouth is lovely.

Yes I know you asked about Southampton but...

Bournemouth is ok.

AVOID BOSCOMBE though...!

CCP

Thanks very much everyone - I knew I could rely on MSErs!

One place which keeps coming up when I look for houses is Bitterne: it looks nice enough when I've driven through it, but does anyone have any thoughts on what it's like as a place to live?

southoftheriver - thanks for your suggestion. If the interview next week doesn't come off I might look further afield for a job, and Bournemouth may well now be on list!

tiggerbodhi - you're really selling Whitely to me there! :rotfl: I think we have similar tastes in places to live, as it doesn't sound like my kind of place either!

TrickyDicky101

I agree with M_M. Bitterne's an OK place (it's more 'in Southampton' than any of the other areas mentioned) but with easy access to Warsash.

I would avoid Whitely like the plague if you are ever likely to need to be leaving (or arriving) there at anything approaching rush hour - the roads in/out just turn into a car park.

Qualcuno

CCP wrote: »

One place which keeps coming up when I look for houses is Bitterne: it looks nice enough when I've driven through it, but does anyone have any thoughts on what it's like as a place to live?!

Ah, great, somewhere in Southampton 'proper' and not out in the sticks! It's a bit further from your work, so make sure you know how long it takes at rush hour.

Based on what you've said, I would recommend Bitterne Park or Bitterne Manor rather than Bitterne itself. They're both close to Bitterne Park Triangle, with its independent shops, new micropub, new ice cream !!!!!!, etc, but in walking distance of Portswood which has good supermarkets, pubs and restaurants.

Bitterne itself has the shops and supermarkets but it's not quite as peaceful, and I don't think the pubs and restaurants are as good either. It's not rough though, unless you go too far outside Bitterne and hit Harefield or Townhill Park.

MartynK

Mortgage_Mark wrote: »

Bournemouth is ok.

AVOID BOSCOMBE though...!

Boscombe isn't bad if you live towards the coast side, but then the prices jump up dramatically.

But that aside, Bournemouth is a slightly longer commute to Southampton anyway. So if you don't want to commute from Portsmouth, it won't be any better from Bournemouth.

andthethreebears

If you want to be in the city I'd go for Bannister Park or Upper Shirley - both quieter areas within walking distance of the centre

Mortgage_Mark_2

MartynK wrote: »

Boscombe isn't bad if you live towards the coast side, but then the prices jump up dramatically.

But that aside, Bournemouth is a slightly longer commute to Southampton anyway. So if you don't want to commute from Portsmouth, it won't be any better from Bournemouth.

Boscombe is also particularly good for access to Class A narcotics...

Forget Bournemouth to Southampton as a commute - I work in Whitely and live just north of Ringwood and would not recommend it...!

EDIT: Re: Upper Shirley - you'll find that is expensive and very close to Shirley Warren which is a total hole, so it would be easy to confuse the two when looking at prices...