Moving to Southampton help!

[michellek23]

My family and I are moving to southampton, we plan on RENTING only and will be working at the University. We are from the states, and know nothing of the area, nor will we be able to visit before we go. We will have one child in secondary school and one child in primary.

Our main goals; 1. safe neighborhood with good schools. 2. as close to southampton as can be (we will not be purchasing a car). and 3. We are from a big city, we are not up for rural or country. We like coffee shops and some good pubs. But honestly, a grocery store close would be enough! lol

We will really be reliant on public transport. I am looking for best neighborhoods; walking distance from southampton university and good primary and secondary schools. OR a short bus/ train ride away. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

I am excited for the opportunity but want to make it as convenient and easy as possible on the kiddos. Thank you!!

I used to work at the university. I lived in the highfield area, and without a car. The university main campus is in highfield so it's very close, unless you aren't based in that campus. It is walkable distance to Portswpod high street. That has two supermarkets, lots of places to eat, and a lot of charity shops. A lot of pubs in the area too. Unilink U1 and U6 both takes you to Southampton central if you fancy a bit of shopping. They both run through Bedford Place area if you fancy a bit if night life too.

However the downside is supposedly the secondary in Southampton is quite bad. (Highfield primary is good but I was childless then and not sure about catchment size and how easy it is to get in). Friends children living in that area either go to the Catholic school or went private. Not sure if money is a problem, but I think they mention Kings has the cheapest school fees at around £7k a year.

I love then central location of highfield, and would recommend it. Hopefully someone who knows about Southampton schools will come along.

Forgot to mention King Edward near the commons is the preferred private secondary of choice. But I got the impression it's quite pricy. (Just in case you aren't after the cheapest private option).

And this is the budget private option
www.thekingsschool.eu

I'm in bitterne park just over the river from Portswood. It's about a 30minute walk to the uni (husband works there), and has an 'outstanding' secondary school and good primary school. Not a lot on nightlife-wise, not that that is an issue for me with my 3yr old and 1yr old ;) but there are a couple of nice pubs, and two very frequent buses to Portswood.

I would second onelittle's suggestion of highfield, and also would maybe say upper shirley, as that has good links into town. Not sure about schools on that side of the city though.

Good luck with the move, we came here 4years ago due to my husbands work and fell in love with it to both our surprise!

thank you! This is exactly the kind of insight I have been trying to find! Any thoughts on Bassett? Highfield and Bitterne Park are def. my top two! Just trying to find furnished accommodations close to schools and bus routes seems a bit tricky. But Have some time. Thank you again. And keep them coming! :)

Highfield is lovely BUT it and Portswood are chock full of student housing.
AVOID the flower estate (the area to the north of Burgess Road)

Agree about Bitterne park - around the triangle ... nice houses, nice schools and the flight path is not too intrusive.

On the other side of the common, upper Shirley is nice and the schools are improving (Upper Shirley High) but Shirley High street is a dump,
then again the little parade of shops at the top of Hill lane includes the wonderful Uptons Butchers.

Also the bit of Bassett around Hollybrook school is nice.

Would agree with Bassett around Hollybrook school or any of the roads around the Outdoor Sports Centre including Lordswood. I am a bit out of date on schools but Hollybrook primaries used to be ok and for secondary Upper Shirley High is improving ( according to DS friends). The sports centre is a great park with tennis courts, all weather pitches, dry ski slope etc and some playgrounds. Portswood high street is bustling and near the University and I think the primary school is ok. Highfield primary was always hard to get into but good. Buses are good all through the city and it's easy to cycle into the centre via the common. It's a nice city to live in, hope you enjoy it.