Does anyone have views one way or the other about Southampton as a place to live and commute to London? I've heard slightly non-positive things about it as being a bit rough, but it's proximity to London is attractive. I have three youngsters also which is also why I'm interested in what anyone has to say. Thanks

I hope I don't offend anyone but having spent quite a few years in and about Southampton I wouldn't choose to live there.

Yes quick, easy access to london for sure.

Ok, thanks for that, hubby seems caught up on living there, I see we'll have some more research to do.

Check this out ( link was in another thread )

http://www.guardian.co.uk/money/series/letsmoveto

Has some good info including, at least in some of them, train times to London.

Thanks for the great link, I really enjoy his column. It seems Southampton is a bit bland and rough in parts. It's a shame as it's in an amazing location. Maybe it'll get smartened up over the next few years.

This doesn't really answer your question but is one reason I could never move to that area (with apologies to Jasper123).
My father having spent time in the Navy was very fond of ships and took us as young children to visit the docks. I remember peering down about 30-40' and seeing these children covered in mud diving into the mud for pennies that people were throwing from where we were standing. It looked so bleak and was so frightening to me that I had nightmares about it afterwards for quite a long time.
Some childhood experiences leave an indelible impression.

I think Jasper is in Portsmouth , thats a more Navel area is that where you mean ?

Yes I think it was. I tend to think of them together since they are so close and such rivals... in footie anyway.

What about Hedge End, Southampton? Just saw a job advertised there..........

I know Southampton quite well and personally would not recommend it as a place to live, particularly with young children.

Winchester is in a similar location and is commutable into London and is a great place to live, but of course that comes with a price, it all depends on your budget.

Good luck!

Ta
Thanks Pommybird, I've heard great things about Winchester also. Now if I could just win the lottery! It's really a shock to see what your money buys you in the U.K. We'll be swopping a 2,700 sf house with land for probably a tiny 2 bedroom house. It'll be worth it though for the lifestyle enrichment

Hi Pommybird, are you familiar with Hedge End?

Absolutely agree, the big house is meaningless if you're not happy where you are.

Property is not cheap in the UK, but if you're a buyer, one plus point of the housing market here at the moment is that nothing's moving, so if you're in a position to buy with no chain your potential vendor may accept a silly offer if keen to sell.


Sorry no, only been as far as the huge, great M&S there, I can recommend that though!

At least you'll be buying a house - not an oversized garden shed . Not sure where you are in the US but in So Cal all the houses are constructed using 2 x 4's , 3/4" shuttering ply and polyfilla.

Same in New Jersey...and shed roofing for roof tiles.