Located just a 36-minute drive south of the Surrey border, Southsea is a coastal resort in Portsmouth, and it literally has it all. Surrey reporter Laura Nightingale visited this gorgeous town to check it out and says it’s well worth the visit. She said: “The sun was beaming, the sea breeze was blowing through my hair, and the spring flowers were slowly coming into bloom on the common next to the beach.”
From vibrant nightlife and excellent shopping options to beautiful beach walks and a bustling cultural scene, it's brimming with activities for all age groups. Quaint streets are lined with independent shops, bars and restaurants, particularly along the lively Albert Road, and live music is a significant part of the local culture, reports Surrey Live.
Once a favourite holiday spot during the Victorian era, the town boasts a rich history and houses the D-Day Museum and Southsea Castle, with Portsmouth Historic Dockyard just a stone's throw away.
Everything is within walking distance, making it an ideal location for leisurely strolls. Southsea Common, a large green space running parallel to the shore from Clarence Pier to Southsea Castle, is perfect for picnics.
Impressive townhouses overlook the popular seafront promenade, leading one to assume that property prices in Southsea would be steep.
However, they are surprisingly affordable, with average house prices being £337,000 less than those in Surrey - more than half the price of properties in the latter.
According to property website Rightmove, the average house price in Southsea over the past year stands at £278,884.
Most of these were terraced houses, which sold for an average price of £303,913.
In contrast, Surrey's average house price over the last year was significantly higher at £615,828.
Flats fetched an average of £212,989, while semi-detached properties commanded £432,321.
The majority of homes sold in Surrey during this period were semi-detached, with an average selling price of £564,554.
Detached properties sold for a staggering average of £1,022,730, while flats went for £299,094.