Which parts of Southampton to avoid and which are the best to bring up a young family?

[ssaw2013]

Hello. We are planning to move to Southampton before September and we are on the lookout for schools and places to rent. Currently we live in a very nice area. Not posh but still nice and quiet. Our school is lovely with outstanding Ofsted report. Naturally, we would love to find something as nice but at this time of the year it is not easy.
So, I have been looking at some of your local chat forums regarding worst places to live and it looks as the following parts of the town are best to avoid:
Millbrook
Bevois Valley
St. Marys
Northam
Thornhill
Warren
Flowers
Wimpson
Somers town
Leigh Park
Coxford
Lordshill
Weston
Parts of Totton
Parts of Eastleigh
Hedge End
Portswood

Best areas:
Upper Shirley
Highfield
Bursledon
Hamble
Sholing
Marry Oak
Basset

We are considering both Southampton and the outskirts. My husband wants to cycle to the city centre. Currently we live 10 min by car from the city centre without major obstructions. Theres Tesco nearby, Boots, a playground, park and postoffice. Not posh but nice area for the family with little children.

Most of the parents at school are professionals and never look rough.

I will miss this place :(

I would be so grateful for all your comments and suggestions.
Thank you.

I have made a list of schools and will create another thread for this question.

DH said he might take a bus to the city centre or consider a shirt drive, so we would consider a few miles from the city centre too.

Romsey, Chandlers Ford, and for something a bit smaller and cheaper, North Baddesley. Romsey is lovely, but £££ - but your husband would have choice of train, bus, or a 30-50 minute bike ride into town (depending on how fast he is). Chandlers Ford also has a station but is very spread out and public transport to the nicer bits is not as good. Romsey has a proper 'town centre' with local shops.

Portswood/Highfield are practically on top of each other and dominated by the University, but Highfield is, you're right, posher...

Feel free to PM for more information.

Hi Jenijena and thank you for your response. I quite like schools at North Baddesley (infant and junior minutes away from each other). Then there is a couple of very good schools in Chandlers Ford (Knightwood, Scantabout), a primary in Durley and another one in Brockenhurst. Still have to reasearch other areas. It is interesting that North Baddesley has hardly anything on rightmove whereas Chandlers Ford has a few nice properties below £900.00. I am from another county and it looks as we have to apply via our own county. I do not know how it works but I will be able to find out about it next week. Once we know which schools still have places available we could start looking for a house to rent.
I also made a note about Halterworth in Romsey, Upham primary and Botley. One of our children will start Reception this year and another one --Y3.
Thank you.

Hedge End is nice for families - good schools, shops, parks, paddling pool, Manor Farm Country Park.
Netley is also nice and has a quicker road into Woolston / over the bridge.
Botley is nice and has a more 'rural' feel
School places in these areas may be tricky for 2 children as many are full for Reception - call around schools in the areas that you're interested in.

Out of interest ssaw2013, where did you end up? And what school(s) did you find?