Anyone near the South Coast?

Hi all,

Got a new job, which for the short term will be flights out from Manchester, but longer term am looking to relocate somewhere south. For me, I want somewhere within an hour of Southampton Airport, and a couple of hours on the train into London. The Mrs will want somewhere as near as possible to the coast. And junior will need a good train service to London or Birmingham to get back to Wales.

Does anyone that knows the area have any suggestions for places to watch out for? - or avoid at all costs? I've been looking at the area around Chichester Harbour (Emsworth, Southbourne) or the bit just south of Chichester (Wittering, Selsey, Bognor). Any thoughts on these would be appreciated.

Was also looking around Poole/Bournemouth, but that is possibly too far from London...

It would be early next year before I could move, but wanting to have a solid idea of where to look.

 

Planets burning and folk are flying to Southampton.

 

Domestic flights in a country the size ours should be banned.

 

I've always found Lymington a pleasant place when I've worked down there.

 

As someone who as to drive up and down the country for a living, I wish I could jump on a plane, the times I’ve been stuck on the M6 or M62, grrrr!

 

Winchester, Romsey, Lymington are all very nice, as is Salisbury

 

Takes 5 hours on a train, or 1 hour by plane.

I know which I'd be doing for a daily commute.

 

Where are you going to be working Scoff, London.?

 

1 hour + how long to get to and from the airport, go through security, etc etc? Not convinced it’s much or any quicker.
Ps your convenience isn’t more important than the planet.

 

Used to get a plane from East Mids Airport to Glasgow for work, 45 mins on a plane, 41/2 hours in a car.
Sometimes would cost more for the parking than the flight too

 

Guernsey short to medium term. Which is where the airport comes in. Longer term London has the opportunities.

 

Try Farnham, roughly 1/2 way between Southampton and London, not sure in Trains though

 

Flying from Southampton! I'll be on Guernsey, so non domestic either! Ferry is an option from Poole, but it's over 3 hours (7 from Portsmouth) or a 40 min flight...

 

Islands such as Guernsey sometimes have schemes to help their island based workers to buy/rent accommodation.

Or do you specifically not want to live on the Island

 

I have asked and don't think I qualify as I'm working for a 3rd party rather than directly. It is my first choice though except for the cost of medical insurance...

Saying that it might not be a long term option as the initial work is 2-3 years.

 

I live down this way in Portsmouth - about twenty minutes from the airport. It’s nice enough but has good and bad areas like most places. Just over an hour to London on the train. Chichester is a good choice but the traffic can be quite poor around there - I also like Emsworth but the property is quite expensive. Happy to give you my opinion/help if you firm up areas.

 

Chichester...lovely...on my way to fareham in few hours for the weekend and popping out for a night in Chichester. .classy place.

 

Isle of Wight might be an option? If you live in or near Cowes you can get a foot ferry across in ~40 minutes and there's a connecting bus to the airport. Can't do much better for living near the sea, and Ryde and Newport are proper places with all the shops you need. For going to London you can get to Ryde and then connect via the ferry to a fast train at Portsmouth Harbour. It's all a bit of a faff, but there are some lovely places to live - might be worth having a look around.

 

I've done that journey several times on the Condor ( Poole to St Peters Port) as my niece relocated
from Poole to work for the Government. It's OK if the sea is calm, but shocking when it's rough.
Brother in law ( the Mackem) spent one entire journey in the bog looking for Hughey, at least that's what
I think he was shouting.

I've been going to Poole for years to visit relatives so know the area quite well. I've also got a friend who
lives in Cadnam, which is in the New Forest area. It's around 11 miles from Southampton. The journey to
London by train would be close on 3 hours I would think. Nearest station to Cadnam is Brockenhurst and
it goes to Waterloo.

 

In the area you’re looking at I’d recommend Emsworth. I lived there for over 10 years and still own property there. Loads of pubs, cafes, and restaurants, good community feel, and all the activities you’d associate with waterfront living.
Excellent transport links also. From the local train station you’re one stop from the London Waterloo line at Havant or you can take the slower option through Sussex and into Victoria.
Rowlands Castle and Westbourne are cracking villages nearby where you might want to extend your search.