Relocating near Southampton

[Kgdaw]

Hi I'm looking for some advice on where is good to stay in and around Southampton area. I'm at the start of my search but i need to consider the following:
We have 2young children under the age of 3 (there has to be age appropriate things to do, good schools etc)
Need to be with an hour of an international airport

Ideally I would like to live in a large village with a good community feel, I can drive but it would be useful to have good train links. My husband works away very often so somewhere I can get to know people and feel safe is a must. We enjoy the outdoors wether that's coastal or woodlands isn't too much of a concern. We have a decent budget of around £500-600k, any advice you could offer would be great.

Many thanks
K x

Hedge end/ botley is a good area for schools, Southampton airport is one junction on the motorway so pretty close.

There's a lovely country park on the river and lots of buses/trains. You could get a lovely sized house with nice garden for your money.

Thanks for your reply, I'll have a lil nosey xx

Can anyone shed any light on whiteley? Xx

Whiteley is nice, its very new and modern, I think it was all developed only about 25-30 years ago.

Its right by the motorway, I don't think there's a train station but won't be far to get one, not sure on bus routes. I think you would have to rely on a car more.

They've just redone the shopping centre and has loads of places to eat, I think there's a leisure centre and a junior school, don't think they have a secondary sch yet.

There prob isn't as many outdoor places to walk to tho.

I used to live in Southsea (nice part of Portsmouth) and work in Southampton. I though Whitely was a bit souless. There were lots of nice villages around but I don't have any direct knowledge. Burlesdon ? where the Jolly Sailor pub is, was nice.

I loved living in Southsea...but hated Southampton! Good luck - lots of people would disagree with me!

Romsey is nice (not sure if there is a train station) good school I believe. I agree with Johnograts Whitely isnt my cup of tea.

Most of Southsea is lovely, not a village though.

Locks Heath is lovely (between So'ton and Fareham) - v good schools, close to motorway and lots of green spaces.

Brockenhurst? Village in the Forest. Has a station with regular trains to London. Think the school is good.

Romsey, good schools, train station, great community feel, nice town centre, pretty central road links, peppa pig world on door step! 500-600k will get a nice house