A Guide to Living in South East England

South East England is the third-largest of the official regions of England by area, and has the highest population of all the regions. Stretching to the west as far as the Isle of Wight and Hampshire, right across to the tip of Kent and curling around London up to Berkshire and Buckinghamshire, the South East benefits from its close connection with the capital and the national transport network. It also offers residents close proximity to the continent and swift international connections via the Channel Tunnel, Gatwick and Heathrow on its border with Greater London.

4.44

Average Location Score

Excellent

59%

Very Good

30%

Average

Disappointing

Very Poor

Best places to live in South East England

HomeViews Top Rated Development ranking takes into account the Star Rating and HomeViews Transparency Rating of every development in the area

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The coast of the Isle of Wight in South East England

Where is South East England?

South East England stretches from Kent – the south-easterly tip of the UK – and curls around London and up into Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire. It stretches south west along the south coast as far as the Isle of Wight and Hampshire, including Portsmouth and Southampton.

South East England counties

Buckinghamshire

Home County Buckinghamshire shares a border with London to the south east, making it a prime commuter location for the capital with easy access to the rest of the UK. The Chiltern Hills attract many tourists to Buckinghamshire, while the Prime Minister’s retreat house at Chequers attracts a more select group of visitors to the county.

East Sussex

Well known for its beautiful white cliffs along the south coast and the verdant plains of the South Downs, East Sussex is also a county with a rich history. Herstmonceux, Pevensey and Lewes castles convey the strategic importance of this strip of land along the south coast – also the location of the Battle of Hastings.

The port town of Dover, South East England

Hampshire

Hampshire, along with the Isle of Wight and the unitary authorities of Portsmouth and Southampton, make up the south-westerly tip of the South East of England. One of the wealthiest counties in the UK, Hampshire also boasts beautiful scenery in the form of the New Forest and South Downs National Parks.

Isle of Wight

Sitting just off the south coast opposite Southampton and Portsmouth, the Isle of Wight is England’s largest island. Perhaps best known as a ‘staycation’ destination for Brits and for its annual music and sailing festivals.

Kent

Known as ‘the garden of England’ for its abundant fruit and hop produce, Kent now lays claim to a highly diversified economy. Its easy connections to both London and the Continent make this county a relatively affluent area with plenty of attractive towns and the iconic White Cliffs of Dover.

Oxfordshire

Right on the western edge of the South East England region sits Oxfordshire. The city of Oxford is the county’s chief urban centre, with its world-famous university, publishing house and associated biotechnology industry. Also includes three Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty – the Chilterns, the Cotswolds and the North Wessex Downs.

The city of Oxford in the South East of England

Berkshire

A Home County and a Royal County thanks to the presence of Windsor Castle. Berskshire borders Greater London to the east, offering residents swift access to the capital, as well as beautiful stretches of countryside that include Windsor Great Park, Swinley Forest and the Berkshire Downs.

Surrey

Sitting below Greater London to the south west, Surrey is another prime commuter county. Train links into London are swift and regular, and parts of the county sit within the capital’s travel zones. Surrey has the most woodland of all English counties and is split in two by the chalk ridge that forms the North Downs.

West Sussex

Directly below Surrey and stretching down to the south coast lies West Sussex. Much of the county consists of protected green areas, offering residents and visitors a wealth of countryside areas for outdoor pursuits.

South East England cities

The cities of South East England are: Southampton, Portsmouth, Brighton and Hove, Reading and Oxford. Larger towns include Milton Keynes, Slough, Reading, Maidstone and Eastbourne.

Things to do in South East England

As a tourist hotspot, South East England offers a wealth of unique things to do. From indoor skiing on real snow to some of the UK’s best museums, this exciting region provides plenty of options for visitors and residents alike. See our list of the Top 10 things to do in South East England for a few ideas to get you started.

Best beaches

The South East also boasts some outstanding beaches. Whether for a sunny summer day in the sea or a refreshing coastal walk in the cooler months, these beaches offer a beautiful setting for a great day out. Check out or list of the Top 10 beaches in South East England for more details.

Universities in the South East of England

With around twenty universities, the South East gives students plenty of options for studies and exciting extra-curricular activities! The prestigious Oxford University sits within this region, alongside popular options such as Southampton, Brighton and Portsmouth. See our guide to universities in the South East of England for more info.

Private schools

Some of the UK’s most prestigious private schools fall within the South East region, including Guildford High School and Wycombe Abbey School. Have a look through our list of 1o highest rated private schools in the South East of England to see all the best schools in the area.

Featured developments in South East England

Reviews in South East England

Write a Review

Excellent.

Verified Resident

Review Date Sep 2023

Only moved in 2 weeks ago the area and location are brilliant. Everything on your door step almost 10 mins from everything you need day to day. Transport links are excellent again 10 mins from the apartment and be in London in about half an hour and Manchester in 1 hour 40 mins.

Please review your development:

Overall all aspects deliver and exceed in many areas. The staff in particular have been so helpful and very professional. I have been made very welcome into the establishment and look forward to my living experience here over the next year. The facilities are great it all works for me! Would have no hesitation in recommending The Almere a great idea. Steve.

Please share one thing (or more) which you wish you had known before you moved in:

All good I came to visit the building before I moved in so no surprises.

How has the building management responded to any problems or issues you have raised:

Yes very efficient and dealt with everything very well so far.

What is the best feature of your home:

Very light floor to ceiling windows., great.

Facilities

Design

Location

Value

Management

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Terrible property/letting agency

Verified Resident

Review Date Sep 2023

Run by Martin & Co Ashford . Terrible service.

They had advertisements saying this property is available from august 2023. When I have moved in they had a lot of outstanding works to be fixed. Leakage in property due to rooftop has taken till late September/ October to fix. They have me paying rent for a property I don’t live in. They are scammers & should be held liable for FALSE advertisement

Please review your development:

Poor property management by MARTIN & Co ashford team.

Made the whole experience terrible. Overpriced property considering it’s way out of london.

Wouldn’t recommend this property or letting agency to anyone !

Leakage within the property & never any updates telling you when it is fixed . Had me paying rent for a property I don’t live in. Ridiculous! Why advertise if the property has issues !

Please share one thing (or more) which you wish you had known before you moved in:

Outstanding works within the building should have been considered when advertising to new tenants

What is the best feature of your home:

None of it . Terrible property with terrible landlords/letting agency

Facilities

Design

Location

Value

Management

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New home with disappointing experience

Verified Resident

Review Date Sep 2023

Location is good
And very close to local town
There is a local pub restaurant on the complex
The down side is parking
Noise and anti social behaviour
The local park which is part of the river side
Complex also is used by drug users
The developer Berkeleys have made no attempt to assist the police in trying to resolve a long on going problem

Please review your development:

My property has been well built
But once purchased Berkeleys had a different approach to me as a customer
But also other people living at riverside
One real problem is that from experience
Berkeley seem to consider that freehold is the same as leasehold
The added problem is that the management company are completly
Controlled by the developer
The out come of this is poor communication and long delays in dealing
With problems on the complex and with property’s
I am not able to speak about other developers only Berkeleys
My advice to anyone thinking of purchasing
A Berkeley home
Is do your home work first
Make sure you have a very good solicitor
Read reviews and knock on people’s doors
Before you buy
It may just be my bad luck
But I have had numerous problems with
Berkeley and the management company over the last 3 years
And any good feeling I had as regards
Living here has gone

Please share one thing (or more) which you wish you had known before you moved in:

I would have used a better solicitor to purchase my property
Berkeley do have an approach that leasehold and freehold are the same
Which is clearly not the case
Unfortunately for me if I had looked into
The management company more
I would have not purchased my house
Just on there reviews alone
After the purchase of my home
Berkeley completely change there approach to customer service
Over the last 2 years the development
Has become scruffy
And Berkeleys have allowed that to happen

What is the best feature of your home:

Well built house
Attractive design
Good size garden

Facilities

Design

Location

Value

Management

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The Almere is a great place to live

Verified Resident

Review Date Sep 2023

The Almere is a great place as it is close to many local amenities such as MK Centre and Sainsbury and transport like trains are only a few minutes walk away.
Parking availability is pretty good as it is close to the apartment building, as for the noise from traffic or anti-social behaviour there is little or no noise that would cause any disruption.

Please review your development:

The Almere has a great design for the building, I love where my apartment is situated as it gets sunlight but I don’t get direct sunlight.
As for the entrance, it is beautiful and a great place just to have a sit-down and chill.
The Sky Lounge is also another great place to be with family since it has bbq facilities.

Please share one thing (or more) which you wish you had known before you moved in:

One thing I wish I had known before moving in was finding the best shops to buy my apartment items such as mops, cleaning supplies, plates etc. Buying them at Sainsbury was not the best option as it wasn’t cheap, B&M would have been a better option.

How has the building management responded to any problems or issues you have raised:

I don’t have any issues yet regarding anything in my apartment, but the people at the desk helped me greatly when I has some questions regarding bills or upgrading the wifi speed.

What is the best feature of your home:

how big my apartment is, usually when I think of 1 bed apartment then aren’t this spacious

Facilities

Design

Location

Value

Management

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Manager Response

Thank you for your review Mac it is really appreciated. We are so pleased you have chosen the Almere.

Discover surrounding areas

A Guide to Living in South East England

Best places to live in South East England

Where is South East England?

South East England counties

Buckinghamshire

East Sussex

Hampshire

Isle of Wight

Kent

Oxfordshire

Berkshire

Surrey

West Sussex

South East England cities

Things to do in South East England

Best beaches

Universities in the South East of England

Private schools

Featured developments in South East England

York & Elder, BN1

The Tawnies, TN35

Rosewood Park, TN39

Carmen Fields, TN33

Leaf Living at Fontwell Meadows, BN18

Westvale Park, RH6

Walton Court Gardens, KT12

The Oaklands, KT16

Heatherwell Place, GU12

Beechwood Grove, RG4

Caravel Court, BN43

Artisan, BN3

Grand Avenue, BN3

Southwood Mews, GU14

Mosaics, OX3

Berkshire House, SL6

Fizzy Epsom, KT19

Please review your development:

Please share one thing (or more) which you wish you had known before you moved in:

How has the building management responded to any problems or issues you have raised:

What is the best feature of your home:

Please review your development:

Please share one thing (or more) which you wish you had known before you moved in:

What is the best feature of your home:

Please review your development:

Please share one thing (or more) which you wish you had known before you moved in:

What is the best feature of your home:

Please review your development:

Please share one thing (or more) which you wish you had known before you moved in:

How has the building management responded to any problems or issues you have raised:

What is the best feature of your home:

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