Buying a house in Millbrook, Southampton

bibek

Hi,

I have recently relocated to Southampton due to a new job and currently renting. I am looking to buy a 3 bed within a maximum of 15-20 mins commute from my work (SO15 0LG)

I have found a nice 3 bed, end of terrace nearby (5 mins drive/15 mins walk to work) but there arent many nice comments about the area online. It is a big area so not sure whether people are just generalising their comments based on smaller not-so-nice areas. I am wondering whether anyone on here can give any tips on the area. I have visited the road on a weekday evening and on Sunday evening and both times it was very quiet. Spoke to a local walking her dog who said she'd been living in the area for 36 years and it was a nice, quiet area to live in.

The property is located on Durlston Road, SO16 9JH. I am not a snob but have looked at the councils page to see how many council properties are on the road and only a few which doesnt seem too bad. From what the vendor says, the area usually is full of elderly with both of his neighbours owning their properties for 30-40 years. They obviously claim its a nice area but I am trying to do my own fact finding.

Any advice would be greatly aprpeciated.

Thanks!

divadee

We house hunted in Southampton a few years ago and Millbrook was an area to avoid. It really isn't the nicest of areas. It depends what you are used to though. It's rougher for Southampton but not as bad as Mosside in Manchester. !!!55357;!!!56834;

There are some nice areas around though but it depends on your budget.

bibek

I moved to Southampton from West London so although wasnt living in a rough area in London, have seen fair share of roughness to be perfectly honest! My budget is about £250k and thats stretching a bit. I did consider Itchen but havent found anything I quite like yet.

I did read a number of threads online where people were suggesting to avoid Millbrook but just trying to see if the area I am looking at is OK. I do understand the answer is going to differ based on different peoples opinion but if someone on here does know the area well, or knows someone who lives in the area then that would greatly help me make my deciscion.

divadee

Have you looked at woolsten or regents park. Some parts of Shirley I like but other people don't.

Don't look at lordshill. That is rough.

benson1980

I know Southampton well. There are some nice bits but you are never too far away from less desirable places, more so than other cities. Even if that road is ok some of the neighbouring roads arent great, but then I presume its priced accordingly.

Id rather buy a smaller house in a better area personally as obviously its important to you.

Waterlily24

We lived in Locks Heath for quite a while and liked it there. Our neighbour travelled to Southampton docks for work.

OnTheLadder

I have lived in Southampton my whole life (a 'suburb' just outside), Millbrook is one of the places I would have avoided buying a property/living in. I haven't got much to base that on such as crime stats but I just know it is not a desirable area. I can't comment on the particular road, but you are quite close to the motorway there. I would recommend looking a bit further, there's good transport links into town. Take a look at Bitterne/Sholing, they are quite close to town and have a better reputation in my opinion!

bibek

benson1980 wrote: »

I know Southampton well. There are some nice bits but you are never too far away from less desirable places, more so than other cities. Even if that road is ok some of the neighbouring roads arent great, but then I presume its priced accordingly.

Id rather buy a smaller house in a better area personally as obviously its important to you.

That's exactly where my issue is, its a bit of a mine field! I do like your advice, maybe I should go for a 2 bed within my price range in a better area. Will keep looking for now. Vendor has accepted my offer of about 8% below the asking price (which was way over its value tbh) just now making things even more interesting! Will have to give it some serious thoughts.

MysteryMe

Please don't be unfair on the vendor, unless you have explained to them that you are still in the early stages of looking at different areas to live they will be assuming you are a genuine buyer.

parkrunner

I live about a mile from there and wouldn't live in Millbrook if it was free. Shirley is far nicer and Regents Park (though closer to Millbrook) nicer still.

bibek

MysteryMe wrote: »

Please don't be unfair on the vendor, unless you have explained to them that you are still in the early stages of looking at different areas to live they will be assuming you are a genuine buyer.

I submitted an offer of what I thought was an acceptable price for the property. Generally after visiting the area twice it seemed ok but after speaking to couple of people at work I found out the area isn't so desirable despite what I was told by another EA in dealing with properties in the area. Sadly, I had submitted my offer already at this point and had negotiated with the vendor aswell.
Anyway, I will take this weekend to think things through and will withdraw my offer first thing on monday if I change my mind. I do understand your point about being unfair on the vendor but in my defence , I am a genuine buyer albeit an indecisive one due to lack of my knowledge about the area.