Southampton

[gingerlou77]

I am originally from Hampshire, now living in the North West of England for past 5yrs but looking to move back down South soon. I'm priced out of the area I last lived in, Petersfield, but do have links to Southampton. Southampton is much more affordable for me, but it's been a very long time since I've spent much time there and don't really know the areas particularly well. Could anyone give insight into areas that may tick my boxes? I'll be early 50s, with grown up children, therefore schools will no longer be a concern. I like leafy areas, with a good sense of community, nice local cafes, restaurants and pubs. I go to alot of gigs, need to be able to get into London easily. I would like to be within walking distance of some decent outdoor space to walk/cycle and not too far from a decent health club like a David Lloyd... Highfield and Bitterne Park seem to tick alot of these boxes, are there other areas that I should consider? What is Eastleigh likr these days? I think it's gone up in the world in the past few years...?

Hi,

How about Romsey? Lots of pubs, restaurants, things going on, community events etc. Stones throw from the new forest, very good David LLoyd in Nursling which is a 10 / 20 minute drive depending on which side you live.

Eastleigh is excellent for train links to London but I don’t think it would tick your other boxes nessessarily - however if you bought near airport parkway there is nature reserve on the doorstep and a less than 10 min train into Winchester which runs multiple times per hour. It’s not far from DL west end either.

Bitterne is awful for crime and parking / traffic so I would avoid if you can.

I live in Eastleigh borough and moved back here about 8 years ago. I like it. Easy to get anywhere. Walks are nice, and if wanted a short drive to the New Forest.

Not far from Southampton via train or car if you want to go to the theatre, etc and has plenty of cafe's/restaurants/Pubs.

You don't give a price range for housing.

Romsey
Rownhams/ N Baddersely/Nursling, bit close to Lordshill but nicer leafy side of it, close to motorway into Dorset and big David Lloyd
Bitterne is not nice imo
Heard some people praise Chandlers Ford but never been myself, think it's quite a family area

Ah thanks for your replies. Yes I know Romsey well, I had thought it probably over budget, which is £400k max, we would need 3beds ideally.

Right, I had read good things about Bitterne Park, but perhaps not.

I grew up in Ashurst, so am v familiar with New Forest, but again, limited by budget hence looking at Southampton

There are some house in your price range in Romsey: Properties For Sale in Romsey | Rightmove

Well I live very close to the Common, in Upper Shirley. Our house is on the market and is a three bed house semi within your budget. David Lloyd is about a ten minute drive, about a mile from Southampton Central. Ten mins on the bus to town.

Eastleigh is coming up as people are being priced our
of Chandlers Ford and Winchester. Bitterne Park is popular but there’s a lot of rumblings about the airport expansion. Highfield is still nice but can be expensive.

Not Southampton, but have you considered some of the villages near Petersfield?

Rowlands Castle has a direct train to London, great village feel with lots of local events, 3 pubs and few shops. Also close to Chichester and Portsmouth. There are a few 3 beds for sale around the £400k mark.

Romsey is lovely, easy links to local DLL and Southampton.
Would generally meet your brief.
A bit of a pain to get to London.
However my assumption is that if you are priced out of Petersfield you'd be priced out of Romsey too.

Waterlooville, Horndean, Clanfield?

Yes, I used to live in one of the Petersfield villages, thank you will keep an eye

Thank you, Upper Shirley seems to tick quite a few boxes, also seems to be predominantly period properties