Why Southampton
Southampton is a great place to live as well as work
City & Culture
In 2022*, Southampton was ranked 4th overall of UK cities in which to live and work, based on average salary, rent,
property prices, commuting costs and overall quality of life. The city offers lower than average house prices, we
have 27 schools rated as outstanding by Ofsted and there are 20 green spaces. It has excellent transport links, with
an International airport on the doorstep, direct rail links to London and more widely around the UK, and daily ferry
services to the Isle of Wight.
With the shopping and entertainment complex at Westquay, the restaurants and entertainment facilities around
the marina at Ocean Village, and the current Bargates Quarter development (opening 2024), it is establishing itself
as a modern cosmopolitan city. Given Southampton is one of the South coast's most culturally diverse cities, there
are also many shops specialising in Asian, African, Indian and European goods.
Maritime History
From the middle of the 1800's, Southampton has been famous for being a liner port. In 1912, the world's most
famous liner, The Titanic, embarked from here on its fateful maiden voyage, carrying seven hundred Southampton
residents in her crew.
Hundreds of other liners connected the port with the Empire and with America, making it Britain's "Gateway to the
World". The rise of the aeroplane saw much of that trade depart, but now the big ships have returned as Cruise
Liners, with over 500 visiting every year.