Are you thinking of living in Portsmouth?
If you are hoping to make the move this is the article for you.
‘Pompey’, as it is locally known, is the second-largest city in the county and is an important coastal location in the region.
Moving to Portsmouth offers locals a host of great benefits.
Throughout this article, we strive to give you as much information on Portsmouth as possible.
Choosing to relocate to a new area is never simple!
There are so many aspects to consider, and when combined with the stress of moving, the entire task can feel very intimidating to start with.
In this post, we will help you to gain a better grasp of what life in Portsmouth is like.
Having a thorough idea of what life in the city is like will undoubtedly shape your decision to relocate.
Here’s the definitive guide to life in Portsmouth in 2024!
History of Portsmouth
Portsmouth is an ideal destination for history enthusiasts.
As the only island city in the United Kingdom, the city has a rich history in addition to its unique location.
Portsmouth is located on Portsea Island, a tiny peninsula that divides two inlets. Langstone Harbour is to the east, while Portsmouth Harbour is to the west.
The Royal Dockyard and the Portsmouth Naval Facility are located in the southwest portion of the peninsula.
Southsea, a major tourist resort, is located at the peninsula’s southernmost point.
Portsmouth’s history extends back to 1194!
With the sea receding from Portchester, the region saw the establishment of its first village.
King Richard I saw the importance of the area and the settlement of Portsmouth was founded.
Living in Portsmouth was particularly important.
The settlement was granted a charter and market by the king.
Another key factor that continues to ensure people consider living in Portsmouth is the dockyard.
These can be traced back to around 1496 when the town was already a naval base.
The dockyard was massively expanded from 1698 onwards.
Today they cover over 300 acres and include several dry docks as well as fitting and repairing basins.
Tourism remains an important aspect of living in Portsmouth.
Historically, like much of the UK, tourism thrived with the arrival of the railways.
Improved transport links and the mass appeal of seaside holidays saw Portsmouth Southsea garner huge popularity.
Tourism in the city is still centred around the Southsea area to this day.
House Prices
If you are thinking of calling Portsmouth home, you will certainly need to know the price of properties in the area.
Portsmouth is home to a diverse housing market.
Different areas of the city offer buyers various property types.
Those looking to live on the island region of the city will find substantially more terraced properties.
Old Portsmouth offers a range of impressive townhouses, with luxury apartments on offer in the Gunwharf Quays area.
Prices are generally more affordable than in London and other major cities, making living in Portsmouth a viable option for many types of buyers.
The average asking price for a property in Portsmouth in February 2024 is £273,952, with various property choices for all buyers.
This is a slight decrease increase from the average of £282,682 from 12 months ago!
Detached homes in the city are sitting at £479,379, which again represents excellent value compared to the average of £526,635 this time last year!
Semi-detached properties are currently averaging at £337,134.
If you are thinking of moving to Portsmouth and are looking for a flat you should expect to pay £187,547.
Those thinking of buying a terraced property, of which there are many, should anticipate paying an average of £269,614.
Whilst prices have certainly been rising in recent years, Portsmouth still offers buyers considerably good value for money when compared to other big cities.
These rising prices are also reflective of the popularity of the city, so now could be a good time to get on the market!
Renting in Portsmouth
If you are considering living in Portsmouth, renting is an excellent option.
The city is a fantastic location for the buy-to-let market.
This is mostly thanks to the large student population that attends the city’s university.
If you are thinking of renting a property in the city, there are currently 596 properties available to rent.
Those looking to rent a one-bedroom apartment in the city centre can expect to pay around £884 per month.
Prices for a 4-bedroom home currently average at £1,940.
Moving to Portsmouth ensures that locals have an excellent choice of rental properties.
Travelling by Rail
The city is particularly well-served when it comes to rail links.
There are numerous train stations throughout the city that provide connections across the UK.
Both Portsmouth Harbour and Portsmouth & Southsea stations provide transport links to several key areas in the city.
These include the dockyard, old town, university and the Gunwharf Quays and Portsea regions of Portsmouth.
The city is also home to Fratton station which connects the University area to the rest of the region.
Hilsea station ensures that those living in Portsmouth around the Portsea Island area have great connections.
Portsmouth’s various stations provide excellent transport links across a local and national scale.
Frequent services to London take as little as 90 minutes.
Travelling to Southampton takes around 45 minutes, with Cardiff taking just over 3 hours.
Those living in Portsmouth can also reach Brighton in around 90 minutes.
Travelling by Road
Good road connections are guaranteed for all residents who live in Portsmouth.
Hampshire is connected to the city by the nearby M275, which makes using the M27 simple.
From here, it is easy to travel across the region.
It is simple to get to places like Fareham, Southampton, Eastleigh, and the New Forest National Park in the west.
The M27 and A27 merge as they travel east.
This makes it particularly easy to get to Chichester and Brighton.
Portsmouth residents also benefit from convenient access to the capital.
By using the A3 northbound, it is possible to reach London in less than two hours.
It is clear that residents of Portsmouth have excellent road access.
Employment in Portsmouth
Residents of Portsmouth have access to a wide range of job options.
The city is one of the most inhabited areas in the UK.
Thankfully, the job market has not suffered as a result of this large population.
Portsmouth is an excellent area to live in because there are many employment opportunities both in the city and the surrounding areas.
The UK’s royal naval base is located in Portsmouth.
It stands to reason that this has transformed the city’s job market.
The maritime industry is understandably the main source of employment in Portsmouth.
Around 10% of Portsmouth’s workforce is working in the dockyard, and many ex-Navy personnel are looking for work in and around the area.
Do not be tricked into thinking this is all Portsmouth offers.
IBM Europe, Portsmouth University, and the Queen Alexandra Hospital are all located in Portsmouth.
All of these offer residents a wide range of jobs that will undoubtedly cover all the bases.
Portsmouth’s labour market is still growing.
The city council has put up initiatives to develop the city’s innovation and engineering sectors.
Without a doubt, moving to Portsmouth is an exciting prospect for those seeking employment.
Best Things to do in Portsmouth
There is never a dull moment when you live in Portsmouth!
Both residents and tourists will find the city to have a lot to offer.
Due to the city’s location on the coast, you’ll find numerous opportunities to enjoy the best seaside attractions.
If you are residing in Portsmouth and love a day by the sea, Southsea is the place to be.
This popular tourist destination features piers, beaches, and all the best activities that are associated with a day at the beach!
Think Portsmouth only has thebeach to offer?
That is far from the truth!
In addition to this, the city offers a number of significant attractions.
They include the Mary Rose, the Historic Dockyard in Portsmouth, and the Spinnaker Tower.
Check out visitportsmouth.co.uk for further information about all the best things to do when living in Portsmouth.
Shopping in Portsmouth
When it comes to shopping, Portsmouth residents have access to a wide variety of top-tier options.
The Gunwharf Quays shopping centre houses Portsmouth’s primary shopping area.
The area has more than 90 well-known outlet stores.
The prices at the Gunwharf Quays shop are its best feature.
The stores here offer discounts of up to 60% off of standard pricing, making it the perfect place to find some great deals!
With a variety of cafes and eateries to enjoy in between establishments, shopping is a great experience here.
Visit Southsea for a more interesting shopping experience.
The most exclusive products in the city can be found by Portsmouth residents visiting one of the many vintage shops in the neighbourhood.
Furthermore, the city’s pedestrianised core is a great place to go shopping.
The Cascades Shopping Center offers all of the well-known high street brands.
Clearly, Portsmouth offers a wide range of retail alternatives!
Education in Portsmouth
When moving to a new area it is always important to consider the schools on offer in the area.
This is no different for those thinking of living in Southampton.
Residents are provided with a good mix of infant, primary and secondary schools for their children.
Top performers in the area include Portsmouth High School, St Johns College and Priory and Charter Academy.
All of these schools are very highly regarded by Ofsted, meaning students living in Portsmouth are well accounted for.
Portsmouth is also home to Portsmouth Grammar School.
This prestigious school is considered one of the best in the country, with places highly regarded.
For more information about the best schools when living in Portsmouth check out School Guide.
Portsmouth is also an extremely popular University city.
More than 23,000 students attend Portsmouth University which has a good standing amongst the UK universities.
The university offers degrees in a range of fields, ensuring that alumni leave with a well-regarded degree.
Best Restaurants in Portsmouth
Regardless of whether you eat out every night or only on special occasions, living in Portsmouth ensures you will have access to some excellent restaurants.
Portsmouth offers all the typical eating options you would expect from a big city.
However, there is also a range of excellent, local restaurants that are sure to please!
TripAdvisor is a great site to discover all of the best eateries in any location.
The same applies when living in Portsmouth.
There is an excellent range of different cuisines on offer.
With everything from seafood to traditional Mexican, living in Portsmouth offers so much choice.
Top restaurants in the city include Call It What You Want, Viet Quan Cafe, No64 Ryde and Huis.
If you are considering living in Portsmouth, be sure to support some of these excellent local eateries!
Hospitals and Healthcare in Portsmouth
Whilst we might not want to ever visit, it is important to know about local hospitals and healthcare provisions when moving to a new area.
Living in Portsmouth is no different.
The cities major hospital is Queen Alexandra (QA) Hospital.
Conveniently located near both the M37 and A3M, the hospital provides a range of vital services to the local community.
The smaller St. Mary’s hospital is also available but is far smaller than Queen Alexandra.
If you are thinking of living in Portsmouth be sure to register with a local GP.
Overall, life in Portsmouth ensures locals have access to a range of healthcare options.
Ready to Start Living in Portsmouth?
Are you considering living in Portsmouth?
Whether you want to move to be closer to the sea, make the most of superb housing market or to study at the university, living in Portsmouth offers everyone something.
With a range of excellent properties and location, there is certainly a home for you in Pompey!
Moving house is never an easy process!
Curtiss & Sons Portsmouth are an experienced and professional removals company that has been helping people moving home since 1871.
If you need help and advice on moving your home or perhaps some questions about your house removals, we are here to help.
You can get in touch with us on 023 9298 5830 or by filling out our quick quote form and our friendly team will be in touch to assist with your enquiry.
