Can add my one tell me what kind of a place is Portsmouth?

[LuluuB]

Hi I’m considering relocating to Portsmouth but want to hear others thoughts on what it’s like to live there? Please share. . .

Like what? More investment and decent housing notwithstanding students living in dumps?
Not convinced.

Might be great for those with money. It's poverty stricken whilst wealth is abound I'm sure it you live in the countryside.
A bit like other port towns.
Investment for the already wealthy

I lived there until recently on £35k a year with no partner or parents to l subsidise me. You can still buy a flat on (or off) the island in a decent location for £100k or less.

It is a great city with lots to opportunities. It has the same disparity of wealth seen in any conurbation. It used to be (probably still is) the most densely populated city in Europe.

Your recollections from the 80s are very very out of date not least of all because of the lack of "squaddies" and even Naval sailors these days.

If you're daughter's son left uni because of bad accommodation that is a shame, but one crap house or bedroom isn't a reflection on an entire city.

Thanks so much all for your thoughts and recommendations-really helpful!
I work in London so would be commuting a few x a week. Have a 12 year old who will be in school nearby.
anyone got any experience of commuting?
thanks again 👍

For commuting, I'd stay off the island.

I assume you'll go by train? From the harbour station it's 1h45m - 2h15m by train to Waterloo, depending on which train you catch. Petersfield would knock half an hour off each way and is a lovely place for example.

Which school are you looking at?

Agree that Southsea is a nice area, we lived in Southsea for 5 years a while back. Enjoyed picnics on the green with a sea view, Gunwharf Quays for a special occasion night out, everything we needed was in walking or short bus trip distance including the train station for longer days out.

I grew up there in the 90s, I liked it but going back there to visit I found it quite run down

I like Portsmouth as a regular visitor to someone living in a nice bit, never lived there though. i think that commute by rail to London would be long and expensive, would rule it out if you’d need to do that more than once a week. (i’ve done a range of commutes myself and done portsmouth to London by rail a lot of times)

I can't comment on the commute apart from saying that the London trains take at least 90+ mins on a good day.
I can say that my children have both gone to state schools here and my dd did very well academically, my son isn't doing quite so well academically but enjoys school which is the main thing for me. Primary school was lovely, really nurturing
. The south of the city is lovely imo, there are areas of deprivation but, to me, that's part of city life. It's not 'posh' but it is interesting, historic and has a beauty to it. There is a really strong emerging culture here I'd say.
The one thing that is terrible is the shops, all decent stores shut down about 5 years ago and you have to go to London/Brighton to get any decent shops. I sort of miss that side of things.

Born in Portsmouth and lived there for years.

Live in a town just outside now but I go in twice a day 5 times a week as ds swims with their club!

Like all cities there's areas to avoid.

There's areas that are very expensive.

Milton and southsea area are my favourites.

That's the 2 places I lived growing up 😂

I grew up in Portsmouth and often wish I lived in Southsea now

I’ve lived here since Uni.
The city hugely varies by where you live.
Southsea - lots of bars, coffee shops, quirky and eclectic in places and generally a ‘nicer’ area
milton/eastney/baffins etc all nice family areas

Buckland/Somerstown/paulsgrove all quite deprived and not so nice.

Beach is lovely (when it’s not being polluted with sewage!) close to lots of nice countryside, lots to do.

downsides - parking! Hardly any houses have parking and it can be a nightmare especially if you’re anywhere near the football ground on football days.

I wouldn’t want to move away now

I live just outside Portsmouth, but work there.
What I love about living in the area:-

The sea & the beach
So many places to eat
Music/arts/theatre
Great attractions
Free events
Gunwharf Quays
Good sports
Several great Cities/market towns within 40 minute drive.
Beautiful countryside just over the hill.
Europe available from the town's continental ferry port (nothing better than catching the ferry home from France/Spain and only having a 5 minute drive home)
The Isle of Wight just a hop over on the ferry ( the most relaxing time warp)

A bit of everything right on your doorstep.

The only thing lacking is a major concert venue.