South East · England
Living in Southampton
A vibrant waterfront city, a major port and the gateway to the New Forest and the Isle of Wight.
Population around 250,000
What Southampton is like
Southampton suits those who want coast, countryside and quick London access, with popular areas like Portswood and nearby Chandler’s Ford drawing families and professionals.
Education
The University of Southampton is a leading research university, alongside Solent University.
Getting around
Direct trains to London in around 75 minutes, a cruise and ferry port, and Southampton Airport.
Jobs & economy
Maritime and port industries, marine engineering, health and a strong retail sector.
The property market
The average home in Southampton sold for £234,150 (April 2026, UK House Price Index). That is an area average across all property types, a useful benchmark rather than a valuation of any single home.
In a nutshell
- Coast and the New Forest
- Fast trains to London
- Major maritime economy
- Sailing capital of the UK