Key Distances
- Fastest Train to London: 1 hour and 20 minutes (South Western Railway)
- Distance to a Beach: 35 minutes by car (Calshot Beach)
- Distance to Nearest Major Airport: 7 minutes (Southampton Airport)
- Distance to Natural Parks and Wildlife: 20 minutes by foot (Southampton Common)
Other Key Locations
- SeaCity Museum: 4 minutes
- Saint Mary’s Stadium: 6 minutes
- WestQuay Shopping Centre: 3 minutes
- Tudor House and Garden: 4 minutes
Travel Costs to London
Full-year rail ticket: £5,300
Monthly rail ticket for 2 days per week: £400
Introduction
For a photo worthy life by the water, you’ll find no better place to be than Southampton.
The port city of Southampton is nicknamed “Soton” and is known as the cruise ship capital of Europe. It was also where the Titanic departed in 1912.
Apart from its piers, Southampton has plenty of places to eat, play, and party. In addition, it is home to many parks like the Friends of St. James Park, so you’ll always be a walk away from a breath of fresh air.
This Hampshire city has a population of around 260,000 people.
Brad and Angelina Lived in Southampton
When Brad and Angelina were together they did buy a place in Southampton. It was the Southampton in New York instead of the UK (and sold for $12.7 million!), but it’s a great conversation starter for anyone who chooses to live here. Unfortunately the town name wasn’t enough to keep the couple together.
Best Things to Do in Southampton
Want to move to Southhampton? Water sports, world-class shopping, and mouthwatering cuisine await!
SeaCity Museum
Southampton’s history with the sea is apparent in its many museums, particularly the SeaCity Museum. For £9.50, you can check out SeaCity’s collection of artefacts on maritime culture and the RMS Titanic. (Fun fact: the museum features a clock tower that’s as tall as the Titanic’s funnels!).
Southampton Water Activities Centre
Whether you want to windsurf, sail, paddleboard, or more, you’ll be treated to every water activity out there at the Southampton Water Activities Centre. You can even get a trainer to become a powerboating pro! Prices vary by activity.
WestQuay Shopping Centre
The WestQuay Shopping Center spans over 800,000 square feet and has over 100 stores such as Marks and Spencer, H&M, Footlocker, and more. You can also treat yourself to sumptuous food from one of its restaurants or cafés – you can find Thai cuisine at Thaikhun, an all-you-can-eat buffet at COSMO, or good old burgers at Byron.
Oxford Street
Oxford Street is the place to be if you’re looking for the best food. It’s where you’ll find rows upon rows of pubs, bars, and restaurants that are all independently owned! The London is Southampton’s go-to cabaret bar, while Oxford Brasserie is an excellent choice for succulent Italian cuisine.
Southampton International Boat Show
The Southampton boat show is a spectacular event to spend the day at. First, there are the truly picturesque sights of superyachts parked up in the marina next to the show. This is followed by many, many products to try out, from paddleboards to accessories and inflatables.
Another great feature of the show is the wide range of food and drinks on offer.
All visitor information is here so it’s worth checking it out.
Transportation in Southampton
In Southhampton, the best way to get around is by walking. The city actually encourages people to leave their vehicles behind, and people have no problem with that as the city strongly upholds the public right of way! If you’d like to go on long-distance trips, there’s no shortage of transportation options, either:
Buses in Southampton
You won’t run out of bus options in the bustling city of Southampton. All of its suburbs are connected via bus operators such as Bluestar and First (City Reds). Bus ticket prices are based on the bus operator of your choice – for instance, if you choose Bluestar, you can get around the Southampton boundary (M271 to M27) with daily tickets that start at £6.80, 30-day tickets at £47, and yearly tickets at £425. Note, the best discounts on tickets are if you use their mobile app.
So you don’t get lost, you can plan your trips on the My Journey website, Southampton’s go-to site for information about buses, trains, and more.
Trains in Southampton
The city’s primary train station is Southampton Central, which is on the mainline to London. A train from Southampton Central will take you to the city centre of London in around 1 hour and 20 minutes for around £60. If you visit London often, it would be more economical to invest in a season pass for £5,300 per year. Although the Flexi Ticket is more affordable, it does limit your train usage and costs almost the same as a regular unlimited monthly ticket.
Ferries in Southampton
Want to take a day trip to the Isle of Wright? Get on the Red Funnel, a ferry operator that can take you to West Cowes in 28 minutes and East Cowes in 55 minutes. For around £80, you can experience an award-winning cruise with luxury lounges.
If you want to check out the town of Hythe in Kent, the perfect mode of transportation is the ferry. From the Town Quay, take the Hythe ferry to cross into Kent.
Solent Go Travelcard
If you often go around South Hampshire, consider getting the Solent Go travelcard. Rates on the travel card are cheaper and can be topped up for use on any bus or ferry that travels to and from Southampton, Portsmouth, Winchester, and more. Rates start at £5 for buses and £4.30 for ferries.
Other Modes of Transportation
Southampton boasts bike-friendly streets with a number of cycle lanes, cycle routes, and National Cycle Network routes. You can safely cycle around the city or rent one of the e-scooters for £0.14 per minute or £55 per month.
Home Prices in Southampton
Data from the UK’s official land registry showed that the average price of properties in Southampton is £241,000. However, compared to the Hampshire county’s average property price of £370,000, Southampton homes are significantly cheaper.
Plus, first-time buyers are purchasing property for a much lower price of £215,000.
- Detached properties sold for £428,000.
- Semi-detached properties were priced at £301,000.
- Terraced properties sold for £248,000.
- Flats fetched £168,000.
Best Places to Live in Southampton
Whether you want to be in the business district or you prefer the peace of the suburbs, you’re sure to find the perfect place for you in Southampton.
1. Netley
At the southeast of Southampton is Netley, a riverside village with spectacular views of Hythe. Netley shows off rows of period properties that retain the architecture of their time. Best of all, it is home to Netley Abbey, a 13th-century church that is now a popular backdrop for weddings, engagements, and more.
2. Ocean Village
Ocean Village was once a dock, but it has since evolved into a business hub with breathtaking views of the water. It boats big buildings that overlook the river, as well as plenty of opportunities for play. Lounges and pubs like The Funky Flamingo and the Frog and Frigate (Southampton’s “spit ’n’ sawdust” pub) are a walk away from your door. Ocean Village is also surrounded by cinemas such as Showcase Cinema de Lux Southampton, which promises to provide a luxury experience for movie goers.
3. Basset
Basset is a residential suburb that’s perfect for people who want to be as near to open spaces as possible. It’s sandwiched between Southampton Common and Southampton Sports Centre, a 150-acre site for sports like football and cricket. It’s far from bars, pubs, and other establishments, but that’s precisely why it appeals to people who want a peaceful way of life.
Should You Move to Southampton?
For suburban life by the water, find a home at Southampton today. This city may be a train ride from London, but it hasa certain charm that you can’t find anywhere else. With its waterside views, quays, and plenty of opportunities for outdoor fun, it’s no wonder why Southampton attracts all types of homeowners year-round.
Be sure to check out our other location posts nearby, including the upcoming hot town in the Sout East for first time buyers.
Yes! You can find sandy beaches in Southampton. Most of these will be a combination of sand and shingle though. It’s very peaceful, but it’s important to set your expectations. You won’t be finding a Caribbean style beach anywhere!
Southampton is a port city, so the main area is a more urban environment. New Forrest wildlife park is only a 15 minute drive from the center of Southampton.
The city certainly is dog friendly. In fact, many hotels are now offering rooms that allow for a dog to stay over with you!