Jobs in Southampton | Pictures of Southampton

Relocating to a different city can often be a daunting task and sometimes our own preconceptions of what a place may be like to live are misconstrued by images we may have had in the past. And this may certainly be the case with Southampton . Having been subjected to a comprehensive bombing campaign during World War II, Southampton soon became victim again – this time to the post-war city planners whose stampede to re-construct Southampton achieved nothing more than eradicate its thousand-year heritage and redevelop it as little more than an urban sprawl, complete with coarse looking buildings that have blighted its landscape for 60 years.

But all that is changing and the city that introduced The Titanic and the Spitfire to the world is once again at the forefront of innovation and change. With substantial redevelopment programmes well underway, Southampton's regeneration programme is one of the most significant in the UK which is already having a positive effect on the city's residential and employment offering. And as one of the greenest cities in the UK and situated on the edge of the stunning New Forest, Southampton must be a serious consideration for anyone considering a move.

Getting around Southampton
According to a recent survey, Southampton is the third best place to work in the country in terms of the time it takes to drive into work. The survey found that Southampton workers spend 36 minutes of each day travelling to work and back. And the added bonus is the parking.

Car parking is relatively easy with many pay and display places in the city centre. There are a number of free 2 hour car parks too, and if you stray a little further away you can find free parking on the streets.

Local train services run from the nearby areas of Swaythling, St Denys, Millbrook, Redbridge, Bitterne, Sholing and Woolston into central station on Blechynden Terrace, close to the Civic Centre. And the

But the most preferred method of transport in Southampton is the bus, operated mainly by First Southampton and Bluestar – the company that operates the hugely popular NiteBus with services running until 4am over the weekend.

Eating, drinking and shopping in Southampton
With a significant student population and a growing commercial sector, Southampton has a wide range of places to enjoy a pint or two after work or at the weekend, with a mix of traditional pub chains, café bars, and a mix of stylish and contemporary bars to cater for all tastes and occasions that can be found throughout the city centre. Elsewhere, Leisure World on West Quay Road is a multi-purpose entertainment centre which houses a multi screen cinema, the Grosvenor Casino, a sports bar with bowling lanes, bars and Restaurants.

And true to form as a maritime city, there are a number of restaurants serving up a range of international cuisines, from American-style diners to Italian and Oriental. But for something a little lighter, Oxford Street is home to a number of elegant cafe bars and restaurants serving the very best of contemporary British and Continental cuisine.

If you are looking for somewhere to move onto when you have finished your dinner, the Turner Sims Concert Hall is a leading venue for jazz, folk and classical music whilst the Southampton Guildhall is the city's main live music venue with a regular programme of gigs throughout the year. But for those who are looking to let their hair down and dance until the early dawn, Southampton has a number of dance venues and rock and alternative clubs; notably Homelands which is hosted a few miles north of the city.

For a more relaxed evening affair, the Harbour Lights Picturehouse shows a mix of new world and independent films, whereas the Odeon at Leisureworld and UGC at Ocean Village show the latest blockbusters. Alternatively, the Mayflower Theatre - the largest theatre in southern England - has ballet, panto, opera and comedy.

Southampton is known as ‘Emporium of the South' on account of its increasingly growing shopping centre. West Quay is a £300-million shopping development with all the usual brands and stores, including John Lewis, Waitrose and Marks & Spencer. Whereas Mall Marlands offers much of the same. So for something a little more unusual then head for the antiques quarter on Old Northern Road or specialist shops on Bedford Place.

But for something to do when you have a spare hour or two, Southampton Art Gallery is the city's top attraction, containing some 3,500 works of art covering six centuries. And the Millais features the work of young artists. The Museum of Archaeology and the Maritime Museum are also worth a visit.

And sport is everywhere in Southampton, particularly water sports. From yachting on the Solent to ocean racing, power boating and windsurfing Southampton does it all. And in September the city hosts the annual boat show, the largest of its kind in Europe. The Quays includes the Eddie Read Swimming and Diving Complex and there is a good sports centre at Bassett. Southampton FC has its home at Friends Provident St. Mary's Stadium, and Hampshire County Cricket Club is at the Rose Bowl. The city has a dry ski slope, tennis courts and all-weather pitches.

Main residential areas
Most of the current crop of city centre accommodation is run by the local council. However, the Watermark WestQuay is transforming the waterfront area into a prime residential location with modern apartments, along with the East Park Terrace development, with a two-bedroomed apartment typically costing around £225,000.

Further out of the city, the suburbs of Romsey and Eastleigh are popular with families and those looking for the convenience of being close to the city whilst enjoying the trappings of living in the leafy ‘burbs.

If you're thinking of moving to the area, take a look at some of the current property available to buy or let in Southampton.

Take a closer look
A picture is worth a thousand words. You can see some images from in and around Southampton below.

Looking for local vacancies? See all current jobs in Southampton or find out more information on the local area.