Southampton, United Kingdom 🇬🇧
#628
50.902534, -1.404189
Nomad Score:
64%
Essentials
| 🏙️ City | Southampton is a port city located on the south coast of England, known for its maritime heritage and cultural diversity. |
| 👥 Population | Approximately 250,000 |
| 💻 Internet Speed | Average internet speed is around 50 Mbps |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | 1 GBP ≈ 1.25 USD, widely accepted credit and debit cards |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Drinkable |
| 🔌 Power | 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type G sockets |
| 📶 SIM Card | Providers include EE, Vodafone, and O2 |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | Common banks include HSBC, Barclays, and Revolut |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Options include renting apartments through local estate agents or platforms like Rightmove and Zoopla. |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | Yes, cards are accepted widely |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Airbnb and Vrbo are popular options for short stays. |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Recommended: Ibis Southampton Centre or YHA Southampton. |
Working and Networking
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | The Coffee Labs offers a great coworking environment. |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | The Docks Coffee serves good coffee and has Wi-Fi. |
| 💼 Networking Events | Networking events can often be found via Meetup.com focusing on tech and entrepreneurship. |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | Look for 'Southampton Expats' groups on Facebook for community gatherings. |
Transportation
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | Uber operates in Southampton. |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | Available through services like Lime electric scooters. |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | Weston Shore Beach is the closest, about 10 minutes away. |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | Flybe operates several regional routes. |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | British Airways offers various international flights. |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | Access to M3 and M27 motorways. |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | Southampton Central Station provides connecting services to London and beyond. |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | Bus services are operated by Bluestar and Unilink; weekly bus passes are available. |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | Trains to nearby cities like Portsmouth and Winchester are frequent. |
Health and Wellness
| 🏥 Best Hospital | University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust is the main hospital. |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | Yoga Haven and The Yoga Space are popular spots. |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Local gyms include PureGym and Fitness First. |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Services such as Launderette and Whizz Wash are available in the area. |
Food and Drink
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | Deliveroo and Just Eat are widely used. |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Fish and chips are a must-try local dish. |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | Naked Vegan and The Plant Café offer excellent plant-based menus. |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | Chocolate Artisan and The Patisserie provide delightful desserts. |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | Southampton City Centre has several budget shopping options. |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Amazon UK delivers to Southampton. |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | Tesco and Sainsbury's offer grocery delivery services. |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | The Bedford Place area is known for its vibrant nightlife. |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | The Big Smoke Brew Co. offers tours and tastings. |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | Latitude Wine is a popular wine bar in the area. |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | Street food is often found at events in the Cultural Quarter. |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Restaurants like Nando's and Wagamama are well-loved for their international cuisines. |
Culture and Attractions
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | The SeaCity Museum and the Tudor House and Garden are essential visits. |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | The Southampton City Art Gallery showcases local and international art. |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | Sites include the medieval walls and the Old Town. |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | St. Mary's Church is a notable historical church. |
| 🎉 Annual Events | Southampton Boat Show is a major event held annually. |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | The Cultural Quarter features many theaters and art venues. |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | The Mayflower Theatre hosts a diverse range of performances. |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | The Southampton Market is held on the High Street every Thursday. |
| 🎼 Music Scene | The Engine Rooms and The Joiners are popular music venues. |
| 🎨 Street Art | Street art can be seen in various parts of the city, particularly in the Cultural Quarter. |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | Learn at the Southampton Cookery School. |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | The John Hansard Gallery features contemporary art. |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | Visit the Bargate, a landmark gatehouse in the Old Town. |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | The city's maritime history is celebrated at various museums. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | The New Forest National Park is a short drive away. |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | The New Forest offers beautiful walking and cycling trails. |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | The Itchen Way provides scenic walks along the river. |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | Ocean Village provides great views of the marina. |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | Longdown Activity Farm and the wetlands area are great for birdwatching. |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Designated areas in The New Forest allow for bonfires. |
Other Services and Amenities
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | DHL and Royal Mail offer parcel delivery services. |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | Tech Repair Specialist provides local device repair. |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | There are recreational areas at local community centers. |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | Southampton City College offers various language courses. |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | The City of Southampton Library offers study areas. |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | Places like the Southampton Common provides spaces for community activities. |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | The Arcade Vaults is a gaming lounge popular among locals. |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | Aspers Casino offers gaming and entertainment options. |
Business
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. £2,500 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = £100,000) |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. £2,000 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = £80,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. £3,000 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = £180,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. £2,500 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = £150,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. £3,200 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = £256,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. £2,600 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = £208,000) |
| 💼 Corporate Tax | 19% |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | 0% for UK resident individuals |
| 🏦 Tax System | UK tax system is based on residency and worldwide income. |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | 45% for income over £150,000 |
| 🧾 VAT | 20% |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | Yes, applicable to UK companies with foreign subsidiaries. |
| 🏠 Property Tax | Council Tax applies based on property valuation bands. |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | Stamp Duty Land Tax applies, starting from 2% on properties over £250,000. |