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Original poster

Where to house hunt in Southampton area

43 replies

Sotonwhere · 17/08/2015 13:30

Any advice gratefully received as I need to move and there is very little which fits my criteria in the areas I've looked so far.

I'm looking for a 4 double bedroom, ideally period, ideally detached house.
I want a big (100ft+) garden though this is negotiable if I'm near a park/common.

I'm not too fussed about anything else- big and old is my main house requirement.

The other main thing is I don't drive so need somewhere I won't be too isolated, especially as we're planning a second baby (have one toddler) once we move.

And finally we both work in London, though only 2 days a week each, so need to be commutable which I think rules eg Romsey out.

Budget is 650k. We'd be happier at 550 though, esp if work is needed.

Help!!

We considered Bassett, Highfield, Upper Shirley but not much around at the mo. We'd also consider Chandlers Ford. Where are we missing? I like the look of Twyford but it looks very high risk for flooding...

Thanks in advance for any replies

OP posts:
IssyStark · 17/08/2015 14:22

You're not missing anywhere. There's just not much on at the moment (live in Southampton and am looking to move to somewhere bigger in the next few years so have been keeping an eye on the market for about two years now as its about the right house, rather than the outgrowing what we have).

For your price range, and needing to be near good transport links, Bassett, Highfield/Portswood (the boundary is very flexible in AE-land) and Shirley are the obvious places. You could look across the Itchen in Bitterne and Sholing, where prices are somewhat cheaper. Also try Netley - slightly more out of the city but all three have railway stations.

IssyStark · 17/08/2015 14:27

Also, Regents Parks area has some nice roads with large, substantial villas. The transport links on that side of the city are okay: there's a good bus network and the Central station would be about a 20-30 walk or less depending where you bought I think (I'm up in north Southampton Bassett/Swaythling area, so use Parkway as my main station).

IssyStark · 17/08/2015 14:33

For example, this is a house in Lower Shirley/Regent's Park and is easily walkable to the bottom of the Common and also into town (plus there are buses galore in Hill Lane.

And this is one in Woolston (sorry typed Sholing before, meant Woolston)

Tutu1000 · 17/08/2015 14:37

With your budget I wouldn't bother with Woolston. I live in the cheapest housing you can get in Itchen and if I had your budget I would definately not be living in Woolston! So far it sounds like you are looking in the right areas for your budget and requirements. Bassett and Highfield I would think would be the most likely areas where you would get what you want.

Is there a particular reason why you want Southampton? Only if you need to commute to London would you consider Winchester?

IssyStark · 17/08/2015 14:45

Depends what you want - the Woolstonians I know all love it for its good community feel etc and keep urging those of us who live the other side of the Itchen to join them!

Original poster
Sotonwhere · 17/08/2015 15:01

Thanks for the replies. I'd spotted that semi in shirley but I worry that I'll always regret not holding out for longer to get the same thing but detached. It's so annoying they're isn't anything on at the moment!

I haven't considered Woolston, it looks very close to the coast and I do worry about flooding in the future Confused

We're keen on Soton because of family (who also don't drive) but would consider Winchester if it wasn't so expensive- the sorts of houses we want are over a million from what I've seen!

What about Allbrook and places like Fairoak or Horton Heath- are they going to be too far out?

OP posts:
IssyStark · 17/08/2015 15:18

I know what you mean about so little being on. There were some large detacheds and huge semi-detached on Upper Shirley Ave earlier in the year (although for my money most weren't as nice as the semi on Darwin Road, or indeed the detached on Wellbeck Ave, although that is only 3 doubles and a single).

Have a look at the coastal map data to see about flooding areas - parts of Woolston are actually high up, and being between two rivers, there are parts all over Southampton which are always going to be at risk of flooding.

Fairoak is quite far out - I wouldn't like it myself if I didn't drive and had two pre-schoolers. One of the benefits of being in the city is that there are always plenty of free playgroups etc to go to by foot or on the bus.

Original poster
Sotonwhere · 17/08/2015 15:29

That one on wellbeck Ave is lush! I'd compromise on 4 db for that. My only worry would be the hundreds of students traipsing past the door every day. Any idea whether that is a real worry?

OP posts:
Original poster
Sotonwhere · 17/08/2015 15:30

Thanks tons btw- you clearly know your stuff!

OP posts:
IssyStark · 17/08/2015 15:52

If it were in our price range I'd be fighting you for it Wink but unfortunately for me, it is about a £100K above our upper limit.

Students aren't a problem. Although you get lots of students living in the Portswood area, Welbeck Ave isn't one of the main thoroughfares as most go along Church Lane if they are coming from the centre of Portswood, or live behind the uni in Blenhiem/Ripstone Gardens so wouldn't be in your way at all. You are as likely to be disturbed by the number of uni staff walking on the way to work or kids going to Portswood Primary (a v. good school, regularly gets outstanding and v. difficult to get into if you are not well in the catchment area or already have a sibling there). Welbeck is mainly owner/occupiers or professional shares rather than student-ville.

LadyPeterWimsey · 17/08/2015 16:02

I live round the corner from that Welbeck house, and agree it looks lovely. I don't think students would be a problem but it is on a bus route. That might be a big advantage if you don't drive, of course - it's fairly quick on the bus to the Airport Parkway station.

If money were no object for me, I'd live on Abbott Avenue, in the Oakmount triangle or (if I had fewer children) in one of the Collins houses. I love where we live, though; it did take a long time to get a house that met our criteria because surprisingly few seemed to come on the market.

IssyStark · 17/08/2015 16:15

LadyPeter - I agree with your wishlist if money were no object! I'd also throw in some (but not all) of the houses around Genwood Avenue as there are some lovely well designed examples of 60s modernism that a covert. We live in on the Collins-designed ex-Swaythling HA houses and the house is great (which every inch already used) and the amount of communal space with the greens is really refreshing. I only wish I could make it a bit bigger to hold all our books and all dc's stuff (I could never be a minimalist!), hence looking for the 'right house at the right price' - it might take a long time...

Original poster
Sotonwhere · 17/08/2015 16:49

Issy we have similar likes! I'm umming and ahhing about the one currently on glenwood. I don't generally like modern (is 60s modern?!) but they do have a certain charm and the garden looks generous.

I think a lot of it is the move from London- I feel I need to wow my friends with a grand house to make up for the fact that we're moving away. It almost seems like that's our excuse for moving so we need to justify it. I think I need to stop being immature and work out what I want (and OH of course Wink )

I'm gutted we missed a lovely one in shirley (now not entirely sure which bit is 'upper'???). I'll try and post a link for property porn purposes

OP posts:
Original poster
Sotonwhere · 17/08/2015 17:08

www.rightmove.co.uk/s6p/51839324

OP posts:
IssyStark · 17/08/2015 19:38

I drooled over that one when it came on Grin So not surprised it was under offer so quickly. Some of the others on Shirley Ave were hanging around for some time (I think because they were overpriced as they weren't as beautifully presented as that one. I also think some sellers are aware that Londoners have started to look down here, as well as Lloyds Register moving here a couple of years ago, and so have tried to hike up the prices without having the houses to justify them).

lougle · 17/08/2015 20:45

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-52889924.html Chandlers Ford?

LadyPeterWimsey · 17/08/2015 21:55

That Shirley one looks lovely. Maybe it will fall through and you'll catch it on the rebound.

I still prefer this side of the common, though - love being able to walk to shops or use the quick buses into the centre or to the airport station. I would find Bassett frustrating because you do seem to need a car more there.

IssyStark · 18/08/2015 09:50

Despite living somewhat east of the Common and definitely having portswood as my focus and local high street, I do feel I ahve to defend Shirely a bit. It has as good, if not better, shops and cafes as Portswood (and a pool, hence I spend every early Saturday morning am doing shopping while dc are at swimming lessons), a great play park at St James and good buses into town/central station plus it's nearer the hospital for OP's baby no. 2 Grin The big houses are all within walking distance of the High Street. Of course the one thing Shirley doesn't have and Porstwood does in Waitrose, but then Shirley has Lidl and between the two of them all my shopping needs are met Grin

LadyPeterWimsey · 18/08/2015 10:33

Totally agree with you about St James' Park - so much better than anything on this side of the city. And Lidl of course, given I can't afford Waitrose.

But then there's Aldi over here, which gets my shopping dollars.

On the other hand Shirley gives you a quicker exit to the New Forest.

Now I can argue it either way!

imonaplane · 18/08/2015 12:57

Fair Oak, Hedge End, West End are all lovely but a bit further out of the city.

Original poster
Sotonwhere · 18/08/2015 13:51

Imonaplane you're tempting me lots with those gorgeous houses! I haven't really considered those areas - how do you think they'd be for someone with a couple of little ones who doesn't drive - are buses etc good? And any ideas about commuting to London - which station would you go from and how would you get there?

I'm from Swaythling and went to School in Hill Lane so I can imagine how those areas work for stations but I'm completely in the dark about areas as exotic as Hedge End/West End/Netley!

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Original poster
Sotonwhere · 18/08/2015 13:58

Really good to see arguments for and against Highfield vs Shirley! I think tbh I'd happily go for either, it all depends where the right house comes up first. I've got an aversion to Waitrose so that doesn't make me love Portswood side more and my mum lives in that area so it's both good and bad having her so close!

I'm really pleased to hear neither of you think Welbeck would be overrun by students, that one has crept to the top of the list so I really hope it doesn't go before I get to view it. It's soooo frustrating waiting for the right house that I'm tempted to make the big move now and then move into the right house in a few years if we have to compromise too much right now. OH is not so keen to do this in 2 stages because he'll be stuck doing all the DIY while I bf babies and watch tv but I'm open to the idea of not getting it right first time. Stamp duty is a bit of a killer at these prices though :-(

OP posts:
LadyPeterWimsey · 18/08/2015 14:46

I'm sitting in St James' Park as I type and it is a great Park for kids, although very busy at the moment.

I think I'd probably make my choice by schools because even with a toddler that will be upon you before you know it.