Anyone live in Hythe?

[MattW]

Not dissimilar to the Ashley Heath post – I have spent most of my adult life living around Southampton but am considering a move to Hythe as not only can I get more for my money but I have two very young children and was thinking it would be a much better standard of life for them being so close to the village, water and the New Forest.

I have found a property within walking distance of the marina and the village centre but I have never really spent much time in this area so was wondering if there were any residents on here who could give me some insight on what it is like to live there?

Seems to be around 15-20mins back to the M27 in the mornings so wouldn’t be too bad re my commute; I did a trial run yesterday morning – or was I lucky?

Would appreciate any feedback locals could give.

Thanks

Matt

[Shnozz]

Hey Matt, long time no speak.

Had an ex who lived in Hythe (opposite the fire station so only a short walk from the marina etc). It's certainly no Lymington. The pubs nearby were full of less than pleasant characters, often witnessed fights and problems. If I was travelling back and forward to Soton in rush hour it was a lot worse than 15 minutes, to the point the ferry made sense if you worked anywhere near the Soton terminal.

Certainly wouldn't be my choice. Little wonder that it's cheaper than where you currently are...especially when you consider anywhere else near the waterfront is twice the price.

[Mojooo]

I would do a couple more trial runs on those times abck ot the M27 - must be mroe than 15 mins in peak times.

[.:ian:.]

I live close by, A326 can be a little slow thanks to the petrol tankers, general 40-everywhere numpties and the 40mph bottleneck around Marchwood, with its flashing "SLOW DOWN YOU ARE GOING TO DIE!!!" signs that flash even if you are doing 40, and people just stopping dead to let someone out of the junction...

There is a country diversion from the Applemore roundabout, that takes you to just where the A35 meets the A326. Its slightly longer than the 326 and a 40 limit, though most is not inside the cattle-gridded New Forest. Much less traffic generally, IYSWIM.

To get to the M27 you can go all the way up the A326, or A35->M271. The A326 is technically NSL from the first DC, but its soo slooow on the SC sections. So I find A35-M271 is quicker (more DC bits of road)

However in the evening if you come down the M271 you get stuck on the roundabout onto the A35, traffic lights on the RAB and just after cause huge tailbacks.

[Huntsman]

Where do you work?

Maybe consider Netley Abbey or Hamble?

[pat_y]

I'm in Dibden Purlieu which in reality is the bit of hythe that's next to the forest.
Hythe has it's good and bad points,
Bad:
The A326 Marchwood bypass can be a pain in the mornings, it's the main route in and out of the area, so any issues and it's gridlocked.
Couple of estates you wouldn't really want to live on (avoid Langdown and Netley View).
Hythe town centre is a bit of nothing really, a few shops, we got really excited when we got a Costa Coffee a little while ago.
Pubs can be a bit rubbish in the centre of Hythe, does see occasional trouble, nowhere near as bad as it was 10 years ago.
Fawley refinery is quite close.

Good:
Dibden Purlieu, right next door with none of the downsides of Hythe
Forest access, it really is just a few mins walk to open forest land
Pubs outside of the village centre are pretty good
Relatively quiet in places
Couple of good schools
Sensible house prices (just stay off the before mentioned estates)

The shoreline is OK i suppose,but access is quite limited, the Marina is quite nice but not a lot to do there, we have a fairly large Tesco which sells Tesco 99ron fuel and a waitrose. Restaurants, some good some bad.

I've been here for around 15 years so difficult to be completely objective.

[MattW]

Thanks for all the replies so far – Hi Shnozz, hope things with you are good.

The property is in West St off Southampton Road so is the closest I can get (pretty much) to Southampton / Totton as its off the first roundabout heading into the forest coming away from Totton.

Its within walking distance of the Marina and the Village centre and is very close to a play park and playing fields for the kids.

Not sue what the area is called, can anyone enlighten me? Also is it any good, or best avoided?

[pat_y]

I know this area, there is a small estate which overlooks the Marina just off west street (jessop close, waterside and Mount house) these places are OK i suppose, lots of flats/maisonettes, but by no means terrible.
The houses on the right hand side of West street that are almost directly next to the park are nice (West hill drive, Hotspur close, percy close).
Personally i would go a bit further away from the village centre, towards the Forest.