My ex-partner came over from NZ and ended up working in the Civic Centre and the best she thought of Southampton was that it was a bit boring but ok. Most people I know don't have a huge amount of pride in the city. Generally, the opinion is that what the Luftwaffe started, in terms of demolition, successive Southampton City Councils have made worse. The very best asset Southampton has is that it is within close reach of some fabulous places and that it is perhaps the greenest city, in terms of trees and green areas that one is likely to come across. And I love that. I've said before that sailing into Portsmouth is quite a memorable and pleasant experience. It's that Royal Naval heritage that does it. Sailing into Southampton is a bit mundane, I'm afraid. It doesn't look that great from the waterside.
Not a Southampton girl, but I like the open space in the city. The drawback is a lack of coherence...nice parts, but they don't ad up to a whole jigsaw. Portsmouth has an interesting waterfront near the old town. There are too many similar streets in Southampton....all tatty, dirty and lots of those bloody bins. Those same houses in other cities would be attractive Victorian terraces with flower baskets. I believe in keeping the old houses...upgraded, they could add character far more than a lot of generic modern houses. I really like the extension to West Quay....I have stopped and looked back at night when it is all lit up and surrounded by the old walls and landscaping. Very attractive....makes you want to visit again. Will be interesting to see what events they put on in the amphitheatre. Could be fantastic....if we ever get a summer.
Southamptons location is definitely one of it's best assets. Working in Dock Gate 4 and seeing the cruise ships and its passengers on a daily basis, I often think that holidaymakers stopping off in Southampton on one of the Cruise Ships must have a fairly underwhelming experience, especially in comparison to the other port cities that are on the cruise ship circuit. The waterfront definitely needs regenerating where it can be, though it is more tricky when you have so much industry on the waters edge. Unfortunately being a port city brings with it some problems. We have among the worst air quality in the country! And have one of the highest drug related crime rates in the country. Fortunately as the average person living in Southampton, you don't see the drug crime. The air pollution however, affects us all.
Southampton just been voted the 5th safest city and the locals also been rated highly for friendliness. Have to say that I agree with the fact that York has been voted the friendliest city...only visited once, but was impressed by the inhabitants....once they ditch the idea that you must be due a cream tea if you haven't had one for 30 minutes.
Yes, I was actually surprised that our air quality was so low when you consider that Southampton has so much countryside surrounding it and particularly to the west. But it's our valley location which helps trap the pollutants. It's that sheltered aspect which helps give us our mild weather, so it's swing and roundabouts. Of course, having water immediately on two sides of the city means that traffic only really has one way out, for a lot of the route. And it gets stuck. Another thing that SCC seem to have no idea of solving. Instead of keeping it moving, all their attempts to control traffic have resulted in further extended jams. If they didn't have such a love affair with traffic lights, even on roundabouts, they might actually allow the traffic to flow and get out of the city. Another thing - the sooner everyone drops diesel the better. Electric please, but failing that, go back to petrol for the short term.
Gunwharf is far nicer than West in the battle of the Quay shopping centres. Looks better, better shops, better parking. Not been in the new bit of West Quay but I've heard it's nice.
Oh, for heaven's sake! A city with a vibrant and living (not preserved) waterfront, a modern city centre, every facility a city needs, three sets of cinemas, great places to eat out, a tudor town centre, live music, music festivals, art festivals, city walls where you can stand in the footsteps of people who lived 650 years before you, a mile of parkland right through the city centre, a truly world-class university, an area of common land that is huge and sumptuous, great rail links to London, a Premier League football team, motorway all round, the New Forest and the South Downs in easy reach. What exactly are you looking for? Vin PS I speak as an outsider. I love this place.
It's the lack of great rail links on a Sunday to Wembley that let it down.... they'll need to sort that out soon
I read someone once saying that Southampton had the crap bombed out of it in the war and never fully recovered. That just about sums it up for me. The city leaders have never really utilised the town's greatest assets, the parks and the waterfront. Hopefully the development planned at Mayflower Park will go ahead and Southampton will have a decent area for people to enjoy overlooking the water. The parks are tucked away from view which is a shame because it is a great area that deserves better use. Unfortunately, if there is ever a plan to incorporate them into a regenerated city centre it will be long after I've left this world.
Been thinking about this on and off for a few weeks now. If I was to get a quick social media account, what would be a good one to choose.? Twitter, Instagram.? What.? Don't want anything like Facebook and I don't want to activate anything in Google+. What d'ya think pepys.?
Instagram if you want to post pictures. Twitter if you want to have arbitrary chats and quick news/rumour.
I'm about a month on Twitter. For me the secret is to stick to feeds that are generally upbeat, informative and witty. I ruthlessly cull anyone who just whines. Vin
My sentiments exactly with regard to the waterfront. There is little that wants the visitor to stay. When the Irish arrived in Liverpool many stayed, in contrast when the West Indians looked at Southampton when they first arrived in the UK in the 1950s, they took one look and went onto to London. More is the pity because Southampton really does lack a big West Indian/African culture compared to other cities and towns like Luton, Reading, and Birmingham.
Twitter's quite good for news, politics, football and other niche interests, and being able to ignore the stuff you don't care about. I've got surprisingly into podcasts now as well. Sad I know.
I have returned to Russia for a second time. To Yekaterinburg. Read the UK papers and they make out that it is a hostile country with expansionist intentions. Go there and you see everything in any other city in the world. Multi-screen cinemas, shopping malls, some people dressed stylishly, fashionable coffee shops, people buying both the necessities and luxuries of life. It has some splendid museums and theatres, plush hotels, people who can speak English better than Wayne Rooney. The only difference between the UK and Russia is that the Russians know how to cope with snow. At the moment the weather is quiet and around 0C so not too bad. And my hosts have made me very welcome.
https://uk.yahoo.com/news/why-do-co...at-we-spoke-to-one-to-find-out-142956688.html An article about the growing number of people who believe the world is flat and there is a massive conspiracy to convince us otherwise. In which case this conspiracy must have been going on for centuries. I suspect these sceptics are American. I suggest you protect your jaw from sudden downward motion as these are real loony tunes.
Thanks all for the advice. I don't really think I want to post pictures, so it could be be Twitter for me, though FLT's cautionary note has well and truly been heard.
Love podcasts. All sorts too. Sports, science, general interest. Also love audiobooks whilst walking the dogs.
