Moving to Southampton

[WaitingInTheBushesOfLove]

DH and i are looking to move around Southampton.

We don't know much about the areas and what is like living there. We have an almost one year old and a dog, so schools is something to consider and dog friendly places to walk the dog.

Houses have been coming up in our list in:

Chandler's ford
Eastleigh
Totton
Bitterne
Bitterne Park
Woolston
Hedge end
Shirley
Dibden Purlieu
Sholing
Nettley
Marchwood

Any advice of what areas to avoid and what areas to look into? Areas that might get affected by air traffic because of SH airport?Any more areas to suggest that aren't in the list?

North Stoneham Estate possibly?

We live in Romsey and I like it a lot. Its only about 20 minute drive to the centre of Southampton on a good run and a similar distance to Winchester. 10 mins to M3 or M27 and quite a lot to do in the town itself.

You have told us your budget but not what sort of house you're looking for - number of bedrooms etc. There are definitely houses in Romsey for as round £300k.

Jobs wise have a look at Southampton Science Park which is near north baddesley. I dont know much about it but I think there are a lot of science/lab based businesses there.

Thank you all so much for your replies. This has been a very informative thread.

House wise we are looking for a 3+ bed, with parking, and decent garden. DH is the cook of the family so he wanted a decent size kitchen (Current kitchen is small). On the other hand, i wanted the third bedroom to not be way to small. Add the location in the mix and well we have to compromise on something. DH wants the 'perfect' house and not bothered much about location. I feel that we can upgrade/renovate a house but we can't move it! Example: he saw a house that he felt was perfect. Location? Right across some electricity pillars! According to street view,of course, but i doubt they have moved them. They looked hideous! Never mind health issues associated with them.

Also a bit paranoid about new builds.. i have heard and read too many horror stories.

In Southampton location is very important in relation to where you are working, the traffic situation is dire on many routes. Think 60 mins to travel 6 miles at peak times.

@haveuheard you are thinking of Hamble. There are various ways in and out of Netley, but only one road into Hamble

Romsey's lovely and really easy o get to Southampton, Salisbury and Winchester! There are definitely some three beds in your price range.

Good and bad areas in all those. Also good and bad access issues.

Whitely is lovely with loads of walks for dog. Good school but a pain for access.

Fareham has love,y areas and is great for train route. But there has been issues within town centre and other areas lately. Plus the 2 academy secondary schools are dire!

Chandlers ford can be expensive.

Eastleigh has good areas, you will get noise from planes but it doesn't annoy everyone! Lovely areas to walk including the lakeside railway.

Bitterne has nice areas and is quite accessible.

The areas you were told to avoid categorically - I would!

Hedge end is lovely for all reasons stated. Just remember the M27 has roadworks for the next few years so anywhere along the route will have longer commute currently.

Netley and shamble are love,y - but again traffic in and out is heavy during rush hour.

Have you looked at areas such as lee on Solent or stubbington? There is a beach which is sandy when the tides out. Plenty of places to walk dogs as lots of country parks around. Also the schools have a great reputation.

Have a look at schools, especially secondary schools. Find ones to avoid and don't look in their catchments and find ones you like and look in theirs. This is especially important in Southampton, not important in Winchester (for example) and I think not important in Romsey but someone will be along soon with a view of the schools.

I would look at Marchwood for dog walking, also Hythe and Dibden, really close to the New Forest and beach. I would also look at Dibden and Colden Common.

Could you rent for a year?

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-57937959.html
Winchester has good schools.

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-55802217.html
Romsey gets you more house for your money.

Winchester is one of the most expensive areas in the country. The surrounding villages are generally nice.

The Romsey house posted above is unlikely to appeal - the reason it’s “believed to be a former railway cottage” is that its back garden is the railway line...

Something like this... local green areas, 60s estate but perfectly fine area, walking distance to town and a couple of good local primaries (not sure exactly which catchment you’d be in)... if you’re ok with suburbia it’d be fine. Hogarth Close, Romsey, Hampshire
www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-83427065.html

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/fullscreen/view-floorplan.html?propertyId=62425077

Nice area with good schools. 3 descent bedrooms with separate dining and utility.

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-84099644.html

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/fullscreen/image-gallery.html?propertyId=83578661&photoIndex=0

This has good sized kitchen and also 4 bed with scope you have 3rd floor as master with dressing room!

If you look at Romsey, regarding secondaries, Mountbatten is considered better that Romsey Community.

I lived in Colden Common for about 5 years then a year in Chandlers Ford near the waitrose.

Both lovely places!

Hello again,

DH likes a couple of houses in Rownhams. Does anyone have any opinions about it? What it's like to live there, schools, traffic, parks, the feel of the area?

In that area, Romsey is a good option and I would probably look there if I wanted to be close to Southampton.

Eastleigh isn't that bad, although I imagine there is a bit of noise from planes. But Southampton isn't a big airport and doesn't take really large planes.

A friend grew up in Hedge End, it seems nice too.

New builds are ok as long as they are freehold. Certainly avoid the leasehold scam though.

Missed this thread the first time, but you're looking at quite varied areas so I think you need to narrow down what you want. Most of them are fine, but some are more urban, some more suburban, and some more rural. Some (Woolston/Netley/Marchwood) might have more traffic issues depending on where you need to be. I'd avoid Bassett because schools are not so good. Rownhams is nice, on the edge of the city, not that far from Romsey, good schools as far as I know. I have friends there who seem happy enough.

You mentioned the airport, and if that bothers you then Bitterne is probably out. We are across the river but still hear planes, although it's more in the background. I like living in Southampton, and have accidentally lived here for 15 years now! It is a pleasant city, not beautiful sadly, but well connected and we have a nice life here.

@Miljah Mountbatten might be 'considered better' than Romsey School by some, but that doesn't mean it's true!

OP - if you do end up in Romsey either of the secondary schools are great, in other areas they could both easily be the aspired to school. We are really lucky to have both options. They have different ethos, but both get very good results.

A pp mentioned Stubbington - if you do decide to look towards Fareham etc, bear this in mind: www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-49972677

Rownhams is fine. It was recommended to me when I relocated to the area. I don't know it personally but haven't heard anything negative about it. (Btw it's pronounced as row - having an argument, rather than row row your boat.) Not sure about schools but I assume the kids go to Mountbatten.