What are the best areas in Southampton for families?

Areas like Bassett, Chilworth and Bitterne tend to be popular with families, generally offering larger properties and a quieter, more suburban feel than the city centre.

Is Southampton well connected to London?

Yes — Southampton Central has direct trains to London Waterloo, and the M3 provides a direct road route north towards London.

Does Southampton have good green space?

Southampton Common is the standout — a large area of parkland close to the city centre, alongside the waterfront areas along the Test and Itchen for those who want to be near the water.

Moving to Hampshire

Moving to Southampton: An Area Guide

Q: Do you cover the areas around Southampton as well as the city itself?

Yes — we cover Southampton and the surrounding towns including Eastleigh, Totton, Hedge End and Chandler's Ford, so we can help whichever part of the wider area you're moving to.

Southampton is a city on the south coast built around its port and waterfront, with a mix of city-centre living, leafy suburbs and everything in between. If you're considering a move here, this guide covers the practical basics — where people tend to live, how to get around, and what the city has going for it.

A city built around the water

Southampton's identity is closely tied to its docks and waterfront — it's one of the UK's major cruise and container ports, and that maritime history shapes a lot of the city, from the historic city walls to the modern waterfront developments. It sits on the south coast at the meeting point of the Test and Itchen rivers, giving it a genuinely coastal feel without being a seaside town.

Popular neighbourhoods

Southampton has a range of distinct areas, each with its own character.

✓Portswood — a lively area popular with students and young professionals, close to the university and well served by shops and cafes
✓Bassett and Chilworth — quieter, more suburban areas favoured by families, with larger houses and easy access to green space
✓Bitterne — an established residential area on the eastern side of the city, with a village-like high street feel
✓Shirley — a well-connected, more central residential area with good transport links
✓Ocean Village and the waterfront — modern apartment living close to the marina and city centre

Universities and student life

Southampton is home to two major universities — the University of Southampton and Solent University — which gives the city a young, active population and a steady flow of student housing demand, particularly around Portswood and the areas closest to the campuses.

Getting around

Southampton is well connected by road and rail, which matters if you're commuting or staying connected to the rest of Hampshire.

✓The M27 runs along the north of the city, linking to Portsmouth in the east and the New Forest and Bournemouth to the west
✓The M3 connects north towards Winchester and London
✓Southampton Central station offers direct rail links to London Waterloo, along with regional connections
✓Southampton Airport, just north of the city, provides domestic and short-haul flights

Green space and everyday life

Southampton Common is the city's largest green space — a genuinely big stretch of parkland close to the city centre, popular for walking, running and just getting outdoors without leaving the city. Between the Common, the waterfront, and the mix of independent and chain shops in the city centre and Portswood, there's a good everyday balance of green space and city convenience.