Best areas in Southsea?

[ChasingTheBeach]

Hi all,
I've never posted before but I'm hoping for some help please!
My husband and I are thinking of moving to Portsmouth from Walton on thames! We have a 3 and 5 year old and we think living near the coast is for us!
I've read so much (and visited) southsea and love it but would like to know
If the schools are any good?
Areas to avoid to live ?
Rough areas?
Family areas?
We are looking for somewhere with lots of shops, bars and cafes, parks and beach with good schools!
Any help would be really appreciated
Thanks!

I'm afraid that I can't advise too much re schools, as I don't have kids. The only bit to definitely avoid is Somers Town, to the immediate north of Elm Grove, although even there you'll find pockets of Georgian houses (still wouldn't recommend though. it would be handy to know what your budget is, although if you're coming from Walton, Southsea is a fair whack cheaper. If you're after proximity to shops and bars etc , then I would be looking in the areas around Albert Road and Palmerston/Osborne Rd - the latter is generally a bit nicer, but priced appropriately. These bits are a bit more built up - if you want more open space, I would be looking more Craneswater/Eastney areas, still quite near Albert Road but quieter and and nearer the quieter end of the beach, although nowhere is all that far from the beach in Southsea. I can be more specific if you let me know what sort of budget/house size you're thinking of, although I would say that you'll have to spend a lot to get anything bigger than a pretty small garden, but you''ll probably know that already. I live just north of Festing Grove in Eastney, and I love it - about 4 minutes walk to the sea, quiet but within easy walking distance of loads of pubs/restaurants.