I have a possible good job offer coming up in Portsmouth UK and if we decide to make the move from Brisbane Aus does anyone know where to live in and around Pompey with good schools and facilities

I was born there but sorry don't have that much info to offer as I don't know it that well but I do think it is a good place to bring up kids, lots of things to do.

My youngest son used to live in Langstone Harbour and it seemed a really nice place.....right on the edge of the harbour and the gateway to Hayling Island

Sorry...don't really know about schools etc.

G

My parents in law live on Hayling Island, which is lovely and they love it, loads to do. We're from Manchester and I always view visiting my in laws as a bit of a holiday as its so nice in and around Portsmouth.

Hi there live in fareham next town to pompey.Where is the job ? Do you mind a commute ? so maybe able to help .

Janet

The job is to do with the build of the new aircraft carrier and will be in the harbour. Commute is OK dependant on time of course. Any info would be much appreciated. Been looking at hayling Island, Lee on the Solent, Southwick and just west of Lee on solent. Schools would be the major concern, looking at private mainly but a good public would also be fine.
cheers
Mark

If you've got to commute by car to Portsmouth then for goodness sake don't go anywhere near Gosport or Lee-on-Solent. There's only one real road in and out and it's a traffic nightmare. Not quite so bad if you're going to the dockyard as you can get there by ferry.

Lee-on-Solent is great if you like 1950s bungalows, knitting wool shops and stony beaches...

I grew up in Lee-on-Solent which is a really nice place to visit but is horrendous for getting anywhere else from. Gosport/Alverstoke/Stubbington have same problem - only a couple of roads in and out.

Fareham is cheaper (especially Whiteley which is a housing estate on the Western side with easy access to motorway) but bit boring.

Some nice places east of Portsmouth - Chichester, Emsworth, etc but a bit pricier. You could also go north to Wickham area - more countrified and just a short hop over the Portsdown Hill to Portsmouth.

Portsmouth itself may be an option. It is an island so has similar problems with access but if you're going to be working there this may not be an issue.

Private Schools in Portsmouth are excellent (St Johns, Porstmouth Grammar, Portsmouth High School) but not sure about state schools. BBC education website is good for info - look under school league tables. Meon Cross School is another one in Stubbington which is cheaper but very good.

Hope this is of some help.