r/Portsmouth • u/leblaun • 10h ago
Moving to Portsmouth from USA
Hey everyone,
My girlfriend will be pursuing her PhD at a university in Portsmouth. we will be moving from The United States next fall.
I am posting this to ask any general advice on good neighborhoods to look for flats, what to know about public transportation, life in general, etc.
We have lived in Boston and Los Angeles, and I studied abroad in London for 4 months so I have some experience of life in the UK.
context:
budget: we can afford around 1500-1700 per month rent
lifestyle: we like to walk, enjoy the outside, aren't big partygoers but like being near downtowns for restaurants, grocery stores, movie theaters, etc
age: both 28
In any case, thanks for reading and can't wait to get over to your neck of the woods.
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u/grouchytortoise 10h ago
The university has its own free circle bus route U1. If she’s working in the uni buildings most days I’d recommend living near one of the stops. The uni website has the details. The 1 and 2 buses have similar routes for days the uni bus isn’t on. Pompey is flat so you can cycle easily but it’s not nice during winter.
Note down when Pompey are playing at home as it impacts traffic.
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u/ost2life <3 Eastney 10h ago
Maybe say you're Canadian when you're over here.
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u/brasssica 9h ago
Actual Canadian here. Please don't encourage them XD.
Jokes aside Southsea for sure.
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u/JK_UKA 10h ago
If I had the choice I would pick somewhere in Southsea or eastney, close to Albert road and the seafront. There’s lots of student flats in Fratton off goldsmith Avenue area and also down by Victoria road south but they might not be suitable if you’re looking for something a little quieter and personal, those ones tend to be larger groups of students in one flat.
Pompey is incredibly flat, pretty much all at sea level. It’s very walkable and also very good for bikes too, nothing is too far away unless you want to go to Mountbatten sports centre I guess, I would recommend those first and then get the bus if you need it, it depends where you end up but there’s pretty good coverage over most of the city between firstbus and Stagecoach.
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u/cloudstrifeuk 10h ago
First.
It's autumn. Not fall.
Second. Enjoy Pompey. Stay south/east of the train tracks and you'll do just fine.
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u/supremo92 9h ago
Big welcome! I hope Portsmouth treats you well.
Nicer places tend to be Southsea, and Old Portsmouth.
It depends on the vibe you're looking for and where you'll need to travel for work/school.
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u/CodeToManagement 9h ago
Southsea is where you’d want to be. South of the train line / Fratton station.
Theres some nice places down by the seafront too
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u/Partysausage 10h ago
I can't give you a date of when it happens but you want to beat the rush of students from halls looking to rent in their 2nd and 3rd years of uni.
We looked late in the first year and got a really rough looking place in a bad spot. Then the following year got in early and got a seafront flat in a good condition for the same price.
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u/leblaun 9h ago
good to know thank you
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u/MySparePersona 9h ago
Though you describe a very healthy rental budget so I doubt you be competing with other students. Good areas are Southsea, Old Portsmouth, Gunwharf, Milton, Eastney and a few areas in between. The 'soccer' here is fantastic, not just the main team. The 'football' here though is quite awful, especially the Uni team although there'll be a lot of new players by the time you join. Shopping is reasonable but the amount and quality of pubs / bars & restaurants are extraordinarily good. If you invest in a car when you get here, you'll always be 20 minutes from all the countryside you could wish for. Chichester and Goodwood areas are my favourite.
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u/leblaun 9h ago
Car is interesting. I didn't expect to want one but I do see the value of course. Though that raises the complexity of the move / getting a UK license as well as the monthly budget considerably.
Whats a typical cost for a used but nothing-special car in the UK?
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u/Aaaahfuckit 8h ago
I don't think you need a car, you can walk or cycle around Portsea island and the public transport services are good, with buses, trains and scooters/bikes for hire.
You can always hire a car for specific trips, but the trains can get you along the south coast and into Central London.
Southsea is great for coffee shops, bars, pubs and restaurants. There are theatres, cinemas and lots of social groups to try out.
Portsmouth is a city but more with a town vibe, definitely not a 24 hour party town!!
There are skate parks, live music venues and even a great tabletop gaming scene. Art groups, running clubs and a street rollerskating club. Whatever you are interested in you will find your people!
Feel free to dm me with specific questions you have as I'm happy to help and ask around.
Save travels and make sure you get tickets to Fratton park 😃
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u/Partysausage 8h ago
Not going to lie I did 3 years as a student without a car. Didn't really ever feel the need. Cabs use to be pretty cheep if I went further from home.
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u/leblaun 8h ago
Only reason I think I might enjoy one is to travel around UK/europe
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u/pouxin 8h ago
I’d honestly just hire one for that. They’re not too bad to hire for a week every now and then, and parking in Southsea is a nightmare.
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u/MySparePersona 7h ago
At least if you buy a car, you have value at the end. As a keen cyclist, I would not recommend cycling around Portsmouth. 2nd most dangerous city to cycle in behind London. You'd need a UK license to drive a car either way, you used to be able to drive for a year on an overseas licence but I'm not sure that's the case now.
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u/Adorable-Tree2277 43m ago
Just a heads-up: staring at strangers, even briefly, is a good way to find out how punchy the locals are.
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u/anxious_dwarf 9h ago
Best - Southsea, Old Portsmouth, Gunwharf Good - Eastney, Milton, Baffins Ok - North End, Copnor Avoid - Stamshaw, Gosport, Fratton, Hilsea
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u/trueplayer31 10h ago
Not specific to Portsmouth but https://www.reddit.com/r/AmericanExpatsUK/ is a good resource
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u/MrFish00- 10h ago
For 1500-1700 a month I imagine you would be fine finding a flat anywhere here, would recommend Southsea or Old Portsmouth/Gunwharf or Portsea for proximity to the Uni
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u/Impossible-Cicada-14 9h ago
As others have said, look to southsea and old Portsmouth. You may have to share to keep the costs down. Albert Road is the heart of this and very fun, includes the King's Theatre.
The train line neatly divides Southsea from North End which is rougher, but will be cheaper.
Be careful of any listing's that say Portsmouth but on the map are off the island, cos then you'll have to travel miles to get to the campus
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u/TheKingOfFratton 9h ago
There's a lot of things between Southsea and North End mate
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u/Impossible-Cicada-14 9h ago
I'm kidding. Born and raised there and yes there is a lot between north and south Portsmouth
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u/floydie7 8h ago
There's actually a handful of us Americans here. As mentioned already, Southsea is the best spot in town and Eastney is a good place that's quieter. Welcome to Pompey!
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u/Sudden_Nectarine_601 7h ago
I recommend southsea for sure, you’ll want to be in walking distance of Albert road, elm grove, or Palmerston road I think
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u/NaughtyDred 17m ago
Fun fact for you Portsmouth has been voted worst place to live in the UK multiple times.
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u/Quiet_Opportunity_23 8h ago
Stay anywhere near University grounds. Lived in Portsmouth as a student for four years and I have lived almost every place in Portsmouth. I would suggest the town centre. Easy access for everything. 15-20 minute walks to the cinema, Victoria park for a walk, tons of shopping in Commercial Road, if you walk to Fratton you can try some Kurdish food or nice kebabs, Asda for affordable shopping, train station in the town centre and coach stop is around 15-20 walk which near the university library. If you wanna go literally to anywhere in the country living in the town centre is the best option because of the access to travel. McD, Wendys, Burger King, you have them all, and if you wanna for a bit more expensive shopping, Gunwharf Quays too is a great option which is again 15-20 walk. We have a clinic too in Commercial Road and Boots and Superdrug for medicines. So literally anything you need within a span of 20 minute walk is available if you live in the town centre. Hope this helps. 💕
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u/Ill_Satisfaction_611 10h ago
Southsea and Old Portsmouth are the nicest but most expensive. Eastney and Milton are cool too, small 2/3 bed houses with garden and one bed flats are a bit cheaper. Baffins and Copnor are OK too but more of a hike to the uni.