Living and working in Eastleigh
One of the Top 10 places to live in the UK
The residents of Eastleigh Borough's 55,000 households enjoy a great quality of life that is the envy of many other parts of the country.
Eastleigh Borough was named one of the top ten locations to live as a part of a survey based on factors that people look for when buying a new home. The research, by online estate agent Yopa, considered factors including educational standards, GP ratings, transport, quantity of green space and pollution levels to identify the country's family-friendly hotspots.
Situated on the eastern side of Southampton and bordering the River Hamble and the Solent, Eastleigh is also a short drive from the New Forest and South Downs National Parks. The Borough reaches from Hiltingbury in the north, to the historic villages of Hamble–le- Rice and Netley in the south and is bisected by the River Itchen, the internationally famous chalk river.
A wide choice of housing
The Borough has a diverse range of housing stock, including leafy suburbs around Chandler’s Ford; attractively laid out estates in areas like Hedge End; semi-rural villages, such as Botley and Fair Oak, riverside living in the yachting mecca of Hamble-le-Rice, and the Victorian railway town of Eastleigh itself, with its attractive red brick terraces laid out in a grid pattern. New developments at various stages of construction offer affordable housing across the Borough. The SO53 postcode area, which encompasses Hiltingbury and Chandler’s Ford, is one of the top ten most desirable places to live in England.
A wealth of amenities
Amenities include country parks at Netley, Bursledon, Itchen Valley and Lakeside; cricket and arena events at the international Ageas Bowl; a new, state-of-the-art leisure centre in Eastleigh, conveniently located close to the M27/M3 motorway junction, and a dynamic programme of arts performance at The Point Eastleigh and Berry Theatres. The Borough also offers a wealth of shopping opportunities, from major stores at Hedge End to big brands and niche retailers and leisure outlets in the town centre. Southampton and Winchester are both a short drive away.
Excellent travel connections
Travel connections in Eastleigh are excellent: the M3 provides rapid access to London, Heathrow and Gatwick, and the M27 ensures that Bournemouth and Portsmouth are within easy reach (30 minutes). Mainline railway stations at Eastleigh and Southampton Airport (Parkway) provide regular services into London Waterloo (approximately one hour). Southampton International Airport, based in Eastleigh, is one of the country’s fastest growing airports and was recently voted the best regional airport in Europe.