Moving to Southampton – The Ultimate Guide

The south coast of England boasts some of the country’s many gems. And sitting right in the middle of the UK’s southern coast is Southampton.

Awash with maritime history and with easy access to two National Parks, it’s a city that is hard to beat.

Southampton is much more affordable than London, and property prices are significantly lower. That means your money goes further – potentially leaving you plenty of funds to enjoy this vibrant city’s growing cultural scene and waterfront/marina lifestyle.

Our guide covers everything you need to know about moving to Southampton – whether you’re a student, a family, an expat or a professional relocating for work.

Why move to Southampton?

If you were to float up from the city centre of Southampton in a hot air balloon, you would be surrounded by blue and green.

To the south is the Solent (with the Isle of Wight just beyond it) and the English Channel; your views to the north, east and west are mostly forest and farmland.

The New Forest and South Downs National Park nestle up to the city, while in the centre of town, green spaces and parks abound. Southampton Common and the interconnected greens of Houndwell, Hoglands, Palmerston, Andrews and Watts parks offer easy ways to escape the buzz for an hour or two.

Is this the UK’s best city?  That all depends on who you talk to, though you’re unlikely to get five-star reviews in some of the less affluent districts, such as Bevois Valley – although it may still have something to offer for those on a budget.

One big plus of moving to Southampton is the relatively low cost of living, which is as much as 20-30% less than London (cheaper still if you consider property prices).

Cost of living in Southampton

Southampton living costs are broadly similar to those of most major UK cities, with the exception of London, Oxford,  Edinburgh and a few other upmarket destinations.

Your utility bill will likely come in somewhere around £250 a month, but this could be more if you’re in a larger property. You can expect to pay around £10 for a cinema ticket and £15-£20 a head for a meal at an inexpensive restaurant.

As a guide, £2,000 per month should be more than enough for a single person to live in Southampton, covering rent, utilities, food and transport – and perhaps an occasional ticket to see the city’s football team, who came fourth in the Championship in 2024.

A family will need around £3,000 or more per month to live reasonably well in Southampton.

If you are on a budget, neighbourhoods such as Swaythling and Portswood represent good value when it comes to property, and you can cut transport costs by making use of the city’s many cycling paths.

Southampton Council boasts that almost 5% of all trips to work are made by bike.

Housing market and rental prices

According to our research, this is what you should expect to pay for rental properties in Southampton:

• One-bedroom apartment in the city centre: circa £900-£1,100 per month
• One-bedroom apartment outside the city centre: circa £750-£900 per month
• Three-bedroom apartment in the city centre: approximately £1,500-£1,800 per month
• Three-bedroom apartment outside the city centre: circa £900-£1,325 per month

If buying, Southampton is relatively affordable – especially for a southern city. Average property prices are around £300,000, but in the most expensive areas, such as those in the SO42 postcode, you can expect to spend more than £2 million on a house.

Large country estates to the south west of the city frequently attract price tags of more than £10 million!

Best areas and neighbourhoods to live

Highly likely to be on most newcomers’ radar are central locations such as Ocean Village, Bitterne and Bassett. These have a mixture of properties for everyone.

For students, Highfield is at the heart of Southampton’s University life; for families, popular destinations include Hedge End and the rather luxurious Chilworth.

Here’s your inside guide to some of the city’s best-known neighbourhoods:

City centre

Perfect for those who want to be in the thick of things, Southampton city centre has mostly modern flats and converted period buildings. Local attractions include the Westquay shopping centre and the Mayflower Theatre. A city centre address is popular with professionals with busy social lives and students.

Portswood

This lively, affordable and multicultural corner of Southampton has lots of Victorian terraces split into student flats as well as some modern blocks.

Ocean Village

If your budget stretches to it, setting up shop in Ocean Village could be attractive. It is upmarket, relatively new and offers waterside living at its best – with the balconies of many modern apartments overlooking yachts in the marina. It’s great for young professionals and people who are downsizing – or those looking for holiday vibes year-round.

Bitterne

Bitterne has a mix of postwar semis and detached houses, as well as some newer build properties. It also has schools, local shops and fast access to the M27 motorway.

Bassett

This rather upmarket suburb is quiet and green with plenty of detached homes and modern flats. It’s popular with academics and medical staff, as well as families wanting access to good local schools.

Employment and job market

As one of the UK’s largest container terminals, it’s little wonder that Southampton has lots of jobs in the logistics and transport sector.

Other major employers include the NHS and an assortment of tech and digital businesses, such as IBM, which has offices in nearby Hursley. Carnival UK, Deloitte and Garmin also have local bases.

As well as the obvious routes to job finding, such as Indeed and LinkedIn, you may find a way into local opportunities by teaming up with a Southampton-based employment agency, such as Hartley Resourcing.

Education and universities

Southampton University might not be up there with Oxford or Cambridge, but it is ranked 87th in the world – which is no mean feat. It is especially strong in engineering and the sciences.

Solent University, meanwhile, has a range of higher education courses, including those in maritime, media and design.

Rents for students range from as little as £400 in a shared house to over £1,000 a month for more luxurious accommodation.

State schools in the area are generally good, and among the
local private schools are King Edward VI School and the Gregg School, which both hint at a very refined (if rather expensive) education.

Getting around: transport and connectivity

Not only is Southampton a great city to be in, but it is very easy to leave thanks to good transport links.

Bus services connect the city to the suburbs and to the Isle of Wight ferry terminals, while the train station (Southampton Central) has regular direct trains to London. The fastest of these takes a little over an hour.

For day trips, the Isle of Wight is easily accessible by ferry, while for more distant trips, Southampton Airport is only a few miles from the city centre.

It is by no means the UK’s biggest airport, but it handles nearly a million passengers annually and flies to France, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain and other European destinations.

Lifestyle and things to do

One of the best things to do in Southampton is take a stroll through Ocean Village. This lively and airy destination on the southern tip of the city has restaurants, a cinema and cultural events.

Another much-loved city attraction is the SeaCity Museum, which has a variety of Titanic artefacts. If you’re a lover of the outdoors, Southampton Common has over 300 acres of woodlands, playgrounds and ponds.

Annual events in the city include the popular Southampton International Boat Show and the Christmas Market.

Safety and community feel

As with any UK city, it pays to be on your guard in certain parts of town late at night. These include some of the most popular tourist spots where rowdy behaviour isn’t uncommon in the small hours.

For a gentler pace of life, suburban areas like Bassett have comparatively few issues. You can get a snapshot of the crime rate in any area by checking out the Police UK website.

If you’re looking for a quick way to fit in and make friends, it’s a good idea to explore some of the many Southampton groups on Facebook.

Storage, removals and practical moving tips

If you’re planning on relocating to Southampton, it pays to be well prepared. Consider decluttering and booking a removal company, such as Solent Removals.

Removals firms can charge anything from around £500 to several thousand, depending on the distance travelled, the services offered (boxes, full packing, etc.) and the size of your move.

If there is a mismatch between your current address and the one you are moving into, renting self storage can be a sensible way to make sure that the goods you can’t quite fit into your new property are well looked after.

Self storage in the area is generally affordable – and there are several local options to choose from, including self storage in Fareham, which is a few miles east of the city centre and easy to get to by car.

Look for a company with a good track record and excellent security facilities.

Self storage is also popular when people are buying a property that needs renovation work. It provides a safe space to secure goods while work is being carried out.

Relocation resources and support services

Your first port of call should be the Southampton City Council website, where you will find information about registering with schools and get up to speed on waste management, public transport, planning control, local libraries and more.

You’ll need a doctor, too – the quickest way to find one is to use the NHS find a GP tool.

Southampton has more than a dozen community centres spread out across the city, and for legal and visa advice – which may be particularly relevant if you aren’t a UK resident – local firms include Paris Smith and Trethowans.

Citizens Advice Southampton also provides free guidance on everything from legal matters to housing and employment rights.

Environmental considerations

Air quality in Southampton is generally okay, thanks in part to the sea breeze that often wafts across the city. The neighbouring National Parks also help.

In the city centre, air quality can deteriorate along busy roads, so choose your address wisely. Other potential local issues include the possibility of localised flooding near the coast and rivers.

Final tips for a smooth move

When moving to any new city, it’s easy for everything to happen in a blur as removal date closes in on you.

To avoid last-minute stress, start creating a checklist at least a couple of months before you go – covering everything from information about schools and doctors to communications you’ve had with estate agents, removal companies and self storage facilities.

It’s also a good idea to use a budgeting tool, such as Goodbudget.

Also on your checklist should be:

• Find a dentist
• Set up utilities and broadband
• Notify HMRC of your change of address
• Register with the local authorities so you can be charged the appropriate council tax

Southampton has the edge over many other UK cities, thanks to its affordability and proximity to both the sea and two legendary National Parks.

If you are looking for decent weather, a bustling nightlife and varied work opportunities, Southampton is well worth your consideration.

Start planning your move to Southampton today.