Are you considering living in Southampton in 2024?
If you are looking to make the move you are in the right place.
This famous maritime city is full of charming character and history!
Living in Southampton ensures locals are supplied with a range of excellent benefits.
In this blog, we hope to provide you with as much information as possible about what to expect when living in Southampton.
The decision to move to a new area is never an easy one, especially if you do not know much about the region.
There are plenty of factors to take into account when relocating to a new location.
On top of this, there are the added demands of the actual moving process.
We understand that the process may seem very daunting at first and are here to assist as best we can!
In this article, we will help you better understand what living in Southampton is like.
Having a comprehensive knowledge of what living in the city is like will undoubtedly help will your decision to move here.
Here is our guide to living in Southampton in 2024!
House Prices in Southampton
Southampton has a buzzing housing market which attracts all sorts of buyers, including ex-Londoners tempted by the cheaper cost of properties despite the 90-minute commute.
The housing stock is equally as diverse as the capital.
In fact, you will find everything from mobile homes to multi-million-pound properties overlooking the Solent.
New build properties have been popping up all over the area.
The Bovis site near Botley on the outskirts of Southampton, is very large indeed, almost small villages in size.
So, what can you expect to pay on average for a home in Southampton?
Currently, there are around 937 homes for sale on Zoopla at an average cost of £264,033.
For those who want to get onto the property ladder but are struggling with raising a deposit, plenty of new build sites are offering “Help to Buy” schemes such as shared ownership.
If you are going it alone, flats sell for an average of £168,375, with terraced properties sitting at £260,785.
Larger semi-detached properties cost an average of £310,163, whilst detached properties will cost an average of £409,161.
Location is all-important when moving to any new area.
Preference on what are to live will differ from person to person.
However, there are many sought-after areas in Southampton!
Here are just a few of the most desirable:
Chilworth: 4 miles from the city centre. A very affluent area with large properties sitting close to the main M27. Very expensive, on average homes cost £933,750.
Hedge End: 6 miles from the city centre. A very well-connected location with access to plenty of shops, out of town retailers and good schools, but much more affordable with an average of £349,607.
Ocean Village: Around 1 mile from the city centre. A popular waterside location amid an attractive residential, business and leisure development. Properties average at£229,333.
Renting a Home in Southampton
Southampton has a huge choice of properties to rent both in its city centre and further out.
The market is very active as well as competitive.
Renting is an excellent way to “test the waters” before making a purchase, thereby ensuring you get the exact location to suit you.
Well over 573 homes are advertised for lease across the Southampton region.
The average cost to rent a home currently stands at £1,460 per month, according to home.co.uk
Their estimates indicate that there are more two-bedroom properties to rent than any other size of the property, with around 139 being advertised.
Southampton University attracts over 43,000 students, so many rental properties are geared up, especially for this market.
Single rooms are available from the £500pcm mark but average at £966.
House shares among students are very popular with prices averaging at £589 per person per month mark, with cheaper options plentiful.
In-demand areas to search for students who sit close to the main university include Portswood, Swaything, Highfield and Shirley.
If you are renting with a family, of course, you are going to require a larger home.
Three-bedroom rentals average at £1,784 and four-bedrooms at £1,910.
Families will most likely be looking for areas which offer Ofsted-rated good or outstanding schools and plenty of outdoor space.
Some of the city’s top schools are situated in Bitterne, Sholing, Woolston and the City Centre.
Best Schools in Southampton
Living in Southampton provides locals with an excellent choice of schools.
There is a great choice of both public state schools and private schools.
Ofsted has regularly ranked several of Southampton’s primary and secondary schools as ‘good’ or ‘outstanding’.
This ensures local families have great access to good educational provisions!
Here are some of the best schools in Southampton:
- King Edward VI School
- St Anne’s Catholic School
- Bitterne Park School
- Highfield CofE Primary School
- Marchwood Junior School
- Portswood Primary School
- Sholing Infant School
- Springhill Catholic Primary School
Check out the School Guide website for a full list of schools available in the city.
Southampton is possibly known more for its two universities.
The city is home to both the University of Southampton and Solent.
Some of the research carried out by the University of Southampton, a member of the renowned Russell Group, is renowned worldwide!
Southampton as a city frequently scores highly in both the UK and world university tables!
Combined, both universities play an integral role in drawing big businesses to the city.
They are subsequently a key supplier of employment within the city.
Working in Southampton
Living in Southampton guarantees a variety of job opportunities.
Southampton is one of the best cities in the UK to live and work in.
According to PWC, the city was ranked fourth overall in the UK.
It received high marks in many areas including jobs, health, and skills.
Southampton even outperforms major cities like London and Manchester in many ways!
Because of the city’s location on the coast, the port is of particular importance.
For a long time, the local docks have been a major employer in the city.
Southampton’s industry has been diversifying since the late twentieth century.
Employment grew in new industries such as aircraft and automobile manufacturing, as well as cables and engineering products.
The University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, which provides local hospital services to 500,000 people, is another of the city’s largest employers.
Further major employers in the city include Ericsson, Fors, and the Ordnance Survey.
Westquay Shopping Centre also provides Southampton with a host of excellent employment chances.
Best Things to Do in Southampton
Southampton has a particularly proud maritime and sporting history.
The city plays a substantial role in hosting the annual Clipper Round the World yacht race.
Southampton is also home to the International PSP Southampton Boat Show.
The event is conducted annually at the local Mayflower Park.
The Southampton Sky Ride has been a popular addition to the city.
Designed to encourage beginner cyclists to get involved in an 8km ride throughout the city streets!
If you are in need of a touch of retail therapy, Westquay shopping centre is the place to be.
The famous mall was built in 2000 and is home to over 150 retail outlets.
Shoppers are treated to a host of huge brands including H&M and John Lewis.
The city is also home to a range of excellent restaurants you are sure to enjoy.
Southampton offers everything from traditional curry houses, French bistros, traditional English fish and chips and even American dinners!
Southampton has a range of food options that are sure to appeal to all.
Southampton is also known as the UK’s cruise hotspot.
Numerous cruise companies call Southampton including Royal Caribbean, P&O and Norwegian.
With so many options, living in Southampton is ideal for holidaymakers to enjoy a voyage on luxury cruise ships!
Destinations include European various European countries such as Norway and even further afield locations, including Australia and the Caribbean!
Transport
Transport links in the city are truly excellent.
When it comes to rail links, Southampton offers plenty of options!
In addition to a number of smaller stations, Southampton has two major train stations: Southampton Central and Airport Parkway.
The journey to London takes 80 minutes, and Southampton Central, which is on the main line to London Waterloo, offers trains to the city every 30 minutes.
South Western Railway also provides service to Winchester, Basingstoke, Woking, Bournemouth, Poole, and Weymouth.
Southern Trains, which make stops at Gatwick, Swanick, Fareham, Chichester, Worthing, and Hove, is the best option if you wish to go to coastal cities like Portsmouth and Brighton.
Both First Great Western Trains and Cross Country Trains offer hourly services to Cardiff, Portsmouth, and other northern towns, with stops at Fareham, Romsey, Salisbury, Bath, Bristol, Manchester, Birmingham, and Newcastle.
If you are looking to travel by car you will be more than pleased.
The M3, which connects Southampton and South West London, connects Southampton to London.
Southampton is connected to the South of England via the M27, which runs between Southampton and Portsmouth.
The A31 and A36 connect to the South and West, respectively.
Shopping in Southampton
Southampton is home to WestQuay Shopping Centre, a popular shopping destination with over 90 stores.
Marks & Spencer, John Lewis, Next, Apple, Levi’s, Zara, and New Look are among the retailers.
After a long day of shopping, you can stop by the food court for a bite to eat from one of the many eateries and cafés.
WestQuay is open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekdays and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends.
Along with WestQuay, Southampton High Street has a broader selection of stores, including name brands such as Urban Outfitters, Primark, and TK Maxx.
The High Street also hosts the annual Christmas Market, which features a variety of stalls selling one-of-a-kind homemade gifts.x
You will eventually arrive at The Marlands, a modest shopping complex with unique boutiques, cafes, and some well-known brands, by continuing up the High Street.
Regardless of if you want to buy a drink at Starbucks, test some perfumes at The Perfume Shop, or get your ears pierced at Claire’s, it’s certainly worth the trip!
Hospitals
Whilst we hope you won’t have to pay the local hospital a visit any time soon, it is good to know that the city provides excellent healthcare to its residents.
The majority of hospitals and A&E services are located in the city centre and adjacent districts of Southampton.
There are numerous hospitals to choose from, including Southampton General Hospital, Royal South Hants Hospital, and Southampton Treatment Center.
When moving to a new area it is always a good idea to register with your local GP.
Where you wish to sign up will vary depending on what area of Southampton you are moving to.
Need Help with Your House Move?
Are you thinking of living in Southampton in 2024?
Whether you are considering moving for the excellent range of properties, the great schools or the exceptional amount of things to do, living in Southampton is a great choice.
If you have made the big decision to move, we are here to help you get your dream move to Southampton underway.
Here at Curtiss & Sons Portsmouth, we are an experienced and professional removals company that has been helping people moving home since 1871.
If you need help and advice on moving your home or perhaps some questions about your house removals, you can get in touch with us on 023 9298 5830 and our friendly team is here to assist you with your enquiry.
