Moving to Southampton

[lovebagel]

Hello! My partner and I will move to Southampton soon. We have a small dog. We don't drive, will rely on public transport or just walk. We may not have a child within 5 years.
We are thinking to rent an apartment in Polygon or Ocean Village.

Polygon sounds more convenient with supermarket and amenities around. But we are a bit worried about the crime rate

Ocean Village sounds more quiet with less crime especially burglary. However, the public transportation there is not that convenient. Need to walk 20mins for supermarket.

Given the rental cost is similar on the 2 apartments, do you have any recommendation on Polygon and Ocean Village?

Thanks!

I have lived in Southampton all my life (over 60 years).

The Polygon area is studentland. Many HMO's, much partying, lots of trash at changeovers. I'd recommend you discount this area completely.

As you say, Ocean Village not convenient for supermarkets and very busy roads to cross to the nearest within walking distance. Pollution from cars pretty bad down there too.

Have you considered Upper Shirley or Hill Lane? One major road takes you straight into town centre and the Common is very close for walks (esp with dog). You also have Shirley nearby for shopping (Sainsburys). There are lovely large houses in the streets off Hill Lane away from major traffic.

I echo what @BMW6 suggests. I grew up in Southampton and only ever went to Polygon for wild student houseparties. I'd say it's not an area that's massively conducive to family life.

I grew up just off Hill Lane and it was great. A few new developments around there too, so potentially more choice. Upper Shirley and Bassett (budget allowing) are also good choices and easy to get into the centre via bus.

My family relocated to Chandlers Ford when I was 11 and I can't recommend it enough for a family. Huge choice of properties (age/style, flats/houses etc.) and only a few miles from the centre too. If you don't mind a little extra distance to the centre, parts of Bitterne (the older part) might also be of interest. Only places to avoid I'd say are Polygon (sorry), Sholing and Redbridge.

Hope that helps!

@BMW6

I have lived in Southampton all my life (over 60 years).

The Polygon area is studentland. Many HMO's, much partying, lots of trash at changeovers. I'd recommend you discount this area completely.

As you say, Ocean Village not convenient for supermarkets and very busy roads to cross to the nearest within walking distance. Pollution from cars pretty bad down there too.

Have you considered Upper Shirley or Hill Lane? One major road takes you straight into town centre and the Common is very close for walks (esp with dog). You also have Shirley nearby for shopping (Sainsburys). There are lovely large houses in the streets off Hill Lane away from major traffic.

Thanks for your comment :) We love the Common! We want to look for a place near the Common but rarely see any in upper shirley within our budget.

Apart from Upper Shirley and Hill Lane, can you recommend the good neighbourhood? Our key concern is safety and security.

Where will you be working ? In the town centre?

@KeyboardWorriers

Where will you be working ? In the town centre?

not sure at the moment. we will start looking for jobs after settle down

I was a student there and would avoid areas near the university (Highfield, avenue and city), have a look at their websites to see where these areas are. The far side of the common would be a great area with good transport links nearby as well as suitable for walking the dog.
I lived just below the Highfield campus and it was always covered with litter but I never had any issues with crime in the area and I started work at 4am most days and never felt unsafe.
There's some nice houses in Portswood around the avenue/bolderwood campus which aren't too far from a large Sainsbury's or the common but it is sandwiched between 2 student areas.
I wouldn't worry too much about the public transport, I always found them to be great as they're largely used by students so pretty regular and cheap, especially if you're living on one of the student routes. This means you don't have to live near the city centre to have access to good supermarkets, there's a lot of choice if you're willing to travel by bus.

I realise I slightly contradicted myself. Highfield, while a lovely campus is the main hub of the University of Southampton and therefore more students in the area. Portswood is the nearest high street for the university and is a bit run down and samey but will have most of what you need including a large Sainsbury's and a Waitrose. Between Portswood high street and the smaller avenue and bolderwood campuses there are some lovely houses and flats that aren't let to students but are on the student bus routes so very convenient. I don't think the crime rate in this area is particularly high and I've always felt safe even early morning or late at night.

I live in Southampton too and would agree with Hill Lane if you're wanting to stay close to city centre. There are some nice areas slightly further out such as Bitterne, Hedge End or West End. Still good transport links into the city. HE is basically a city in itself now with major shops and supermarkets, train and bus links. Lots of new developments, good schools if that's a consideration, lots of green spaces and footpaths for the dog.

Polygon is still full of students (late night parties etc).
Ocean Village is much better, and they do have a Tesco express and Coop now! Plus lots of nice bars and restaurants, when they’re allowed to open again.
City centre is a 10 min walk, and I’m sure there’s lots of bus routes too from OV, but from the city centre you can go anywhere!

Happy if you want to PM me about any areas (lived here 42 years and ex-estate agent!).

OOhh I love Soton.. spent many years there when I was at Sea 🌺

Highfield, you’re near the Common and near a Waitrose and can walk into town.

You could always look at the little towns and villages further out. Totton is okay for transport links.

Ocean Village is a nicer part of Southampton.

I lived in the polygon for 7 years and it's really not somewhere you'd like to live....

I know a lot of people are saying the top Hill Lane (near to where I live) but IMO it's not overly accessible if you don't have a car and a walk to town would take about 45 minutes which isn't overly convenient.

I would have to recommend somewhere on the uni bus route as the buses are frequent and the areas aren't overly bad ( portswood, highfield or just off the avenue)

I have a few friends who live in the new development off archers/ the avenue and although technically the polygon you can bypass it completely, students don't live there and it's a short walk to town / Lidl... plus the common is close as is the town parks

Is it a place to move if you need to get a job?

I’ve lived in Southampton all my life and grew up in the Polygon (back then it was an area for families before the landlords came in and ruined the area!) The Polygon is ok, it’s just full of HMOs. Ocean Village is yuppie ville, expensive and you’re a long way from a supermarket or anywhere nice to walk the dog. Beautiful flats though.
Archers Rd is not in the Polygon - it’s Banister Park - and there are lots of lovely blocks of flats around there, have a look on Northlands Rd, and Hulse Rd and the development between Archers Rd and the Avenue.You’re well placed for the Common, there’s a Lidl now and you can walk to town and the station. Portswood Waitrose also relatively close.
Upper Shirley (where I live) is fine - the buses along Shirley High St will take you into town or you can walk. Again, good for Common and there’s a Sainsbury’s in Shirley or an M&S food.
Lots of young professionals also like the Inner Avenue and St Denys which are good for Portswood. St Denys also has the advantage of a train station but may be more small houses as opposed to flats for renting.
Not sure what the local jobs market is like. I commute to London so it’s ages since I tried to get anything locally.
Happy to help further.

I lived in Southampton during my student years and stayed in student accommodation and then on to Ocean Village and my final year was in Shirley. Ocean village does have a small Tesco express and I enjoyed there better than the other two places I stayed at. I found a job there as soon as I graduated and decided not to take it and moved back home and didn't have a job for 9 months which was ok. Do you really need to move to Southampton? Southampton is nice if you're a student for the party life etc but I can't imagine ever living there. By the way, you're lucky that you don't drive because Soton is one of the worst cities for traffic where it makes you want to dump your car after get stuck at traffic lights a 100 times to move 20m.

Why Southampton OP?

Southampton is an absolute dump I would not recommend can’t think of a single nice part there

St Denys is great for community and well connected transport wise. Is mostly houses rather than flats though. You could look at the flats on Winn / Westwood Road in Portswood - near the Common and Waitrose / Sainsbury’s on Portswood High Street.

Soton is a student city so has its pros & cons but it has lots of green spaces and you are near to both the sea and the forest which I love. And it’s easy to get to other places 🤣

@MySoCalledStrife

I’ve lived in Southampton all my life and grew up in the Polygon (back then it was an area for families before the landlords came in and ruined the area!) The Polygon is ok, it’s just full of HMOs. Ocean Village is yuppie ville, expensive and you’re a long way from a supermarket or anywhere nice to walk the dog. Beautiful flats though. Archers Rd is not in the Polygon - it’s Banister Park - and there are lots of lovely blocks of flats around there, have a look on Northlands Rd, and Hulse Rd and the development between Archers Rd and the Avenue.You’re well placed for the Common, there’s a Lidl now and you can walk to town and the station. Portswood Waitrose also relatively close. Upper Shirley (where I live) is fine - the buses along Shirley High St will take you into town or you can walk. Again, good for Common and there’s a Sainsbury’s in Shirley or an M&S food. Lots of young professionals also like the Inner Avenue and St Denys which are good for Portswood. St Denys also has the advantage of a train station but may be more small houses as opposed to flats for renting. Not sure what the local jobs market is like. I commute to London so it’s ages since I tried to get anything locally. Happy to help further.

I looked around at Northlands Roads the apartment and houses there are gorgeous!