Reading or Southampton, to live?

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Hi

I am applying in advance to grad schemes and jobs for when I finish uni after this next year. One of the jobs I looking at is available all over the country. I would there to be good connections to London, but also not that far from the sea! So I thought Reading or Southampton would be my best bet (I’m open to other suggestions though). I was also considering Norwich?

I am young, so I’d like a young population with good shopping, but also nice scenery and/or architecture. What is your advice?

6

Answers


  1. The Tank
    Reading isn't by the sea but it does have first class rail services to almost anywhere worth going to (including Southampton). It's a thriving and lively town with a lot going on. The down side is that "there's a lot going on". This can lead to congestion and sometimes trouble. The Thames Valley has some superb countryside and great towns and villages within easy reach. Southampton is quieter than Reading (and a lot cheaper) but it still suffers from traffic congestion at certain times: especially when some nautical event is going on (which is common). It's about 100 minutes by road from London on a good day, and about 3 hours or more when the M3 is blocked, which is also very common. There is an excellent train service to London, Brighton, Portsmouth, S Wales and Weymouth. Southampton has two universities with all the facilities to keep students entertained. The New Forest is right next door and is a great place to relax. For big style entertainment the Isle of Wight hosts several pop/rock festivals throughout the summer. Norwich is in East Anglia. It has a cathedral.
  2. + -

    go to southampton ..best by miles ..and whatever direction you go there is something great to see ..and we do have the best football team in the south !!..im a builder in the midlands ..but used to live in soton …

    boy boy
    Reply
  3. + -

    I have lived in both. They are both OK without being outstanding. They both have nice scenery on their doorstep. Reading has the Thames Valley. Southampton has the New Forest.

    Neither has outstanding architecture. Both have a mixed population. Southampton has quite a bit of nightlife but some of it is rough.

    If you want to be near the Sea, Southampton is the one.

    However, have you considered Bournemouth? It’s just along the railway line and road from Southampton. It has fabulous beaches, nice countryside, good shopping and night life. It’s no longer just a retirement centre. It has lots of young people because of the university and language schools. It’s nicer looking than Reading or Southampton.

    RR
    Reply
  4. + -

    Southampton is the 3rd most violent city in Britain! Architecture is ugly and grey, no real attractions or anything, only that it was where the Titanic left from and many of the crew on Titanic came from Northam which today is now a dangerous no go area!

    simon
    Reply
  5. + -

    I live in Portsmouth which is near Southampton and I visit Norwich very regular. I would say Norwich has a young population and amazing historic architecture. Southampton does have a large student population but not pretty to look at.

    Jane
    Reply
  6. + -

    Reading. -Go to the festival. ;’)

    Meg Ta
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