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.

Excellent

69.6%

Very Good

22.4%

Average

6.0%

Disappointing

1.0%

Very poor

0.9%

Best places to live in South East England

How is ranking calculated?

Viewing 1-5 out of 374

Rental Only

Leaf Living at Liberty Place, BN27

By Leaf Living

4.94

(19 reviews)

Discover the perfect blend of town convenience and countryside charm at Liberty Place, conveniently located on the edge of Hailsham town. This new community is a stone throw from a variety of shops, supermarkets and restaurants and has a selection of great schools withing reach. For leisure, the town offers a leisure centre, the Pavilion Cinema, and an array of parks and play areas. The development is well-connected, with easy access to A22 & M23. Polegate Train Station, located just 10 minutes away, offers great train services to London Victoria, London Gatwick and neighbouring coastal towns.

1st

Ranked 1st out of 204 in South East England

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Leaf Living at The Gateway, TN40

By Leaf Living

4.91

(26 reviews)

Coastal living in the tranquil seaside town of Bexhill-on-Sea, a gem nestled between Hastings and Eastbourne in East Sussex. This prime location becomes a vibrant hub in the summer, offering beachfront activities and a serene escape along the South Coast.

2nd

Ranked 2nd out of 204 in South East England

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Award Winner 2025

Ebb & Flow, RG1

By Native Communities

Award winner 2025

4.89

(181 reviews)

Ebb & Flow offers a collection of Studio, 1, 2 and 3 bedroom apartments in the heart of Reading. All apartments have spacious kitchens, enhanced floor to ceiling height, and bespoke furniture. As well as this, residents benefit from a 24hr support team, wellness classes and community events. Private social and co-working spaces are also included. A buzzing new neighbourhood right on your doorstep.

3rd

Ranked 3rd out of 204 in South East England

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Leaf Living Oakhurst at Brookleigh, RH15

By Leaf Living

4.89

(14 reviews)

Located in the charming West Sussex town of Burgess Hill, Oakhurst at Brookleigh offers a selection of 1-4 bedroom homes to rent. With a scenic backdrop and links to London and Brighton.

4th

Ranked 4th out of 204 in South East England

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Award Winner 2025

The Almere, MK9

By Native Communities

Award winner 2025

4.88

(176 reviews)

At The Almere, residents benefit from spacious apartments, panoramic views, resident events and coworking spaces. A community nestled in the heart of Milton Keynes, with access to facilities and amenities right on your doorstep. Our 1, 2 and 3 bedroom rental apartments come with on-site customer and maintenance services and a relaxed community lounge for you to enjoy. All pets are welcome at The Almere, whether they are feathered, four-legged, fishy, or feline. For commuters, our luxury apartments are just 12 minutes on foot to Milton Keynes Train Station, with trains direct to the capital and other UK hotspots.

5th

Ranked 5th out of 204 in South East England

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Page 1 of 75

Featured developments in South East England

Latest Reviews in South East England

5247 total reviews

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Viewing 1-5 out of 5234

Anon (Shared Owner)

Verified Resident

Rochester Riverside, ME1

Sept 2026

This is rated 1.00 out of 5.00.

A shameful money grabbing scheme.

Anon (Shared Owner)

Verified Resident

Rochester Riverside, ME1

Sept 2026

Even if you do pay for the rip off visitor passes, there's no guarantee they can even use them since there's barely any visitor bays and theyre shared for the whole development. This just feels like a way for them to squeeze more money out of us as if the rent isn't already too high and the service charge is ridiculous. Must live a hermits life for the privilege of being a resident here. If you haven't already exchanged on a property here, don't do it. Find somewhere else that actually respects their residents.

Please tell us about the good and bad aspects of living in your local area:

I have loved living here and would have been likely to give this development 5 stars until today. Today I get home from work to find out they have Made our road double yellows today so nobody can park anymore. Absolutely ridiculous. No consideration for multi car households, theres a building near mine without enough parking bays for the number of apartments. Where are any of them meant to park? We're also just not allowed to have visitors I guess since the visitor bays are so limited and the paid for visitor permits are restricted to 40 per year and 24 hours at a time. That's less than 1 visitor per week.

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

I wish they had told us upfront that we weren't allowed to have friends and family come over without paying them even more money for the privilege.

What is the best feature of your home:

It was the balcony with beautiful river views. But now when im out there all I can notice are the double yellows painted everywhere and I my mood plummets.

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HomeViews

Umar Khalid (Tenant)

Verified Resident

The Marches, GU21

Sept 2026

This is rated 5.00 out of 5.00.

Excellent development with an outstanding reception and security team

Umar Khalid (Tenant)

Verified Resident

The Marches, GU21

Sept 2026

I have had a very positive experience living at the development. The building is modern, well designed and maintained to a high standard, and the communal areas and facilities are always kept clean and presentable. One of the biggest strengths, however, is the team working in the building. The reception staff are consistently welcoming, professional and helpful, and the security team contribute greatly to making the development feel safe and well managed. A special shout-out has to go to Bilal from security, who has always been exceptionally helpful, friendly and professional. He regularly goes above and beyond to assist residents and is a real credit to the building. Having staff like Bilal and the reception team genuinely makes a noticeable difference to the experience of living here.

Please tell us about the good and bad aspects of living in your local area:

The location is excellent and very convenient, with plenty of shops, restaurants and amenities within easy reach. Transport links are also very good, making it easy to get around Manchester. The surrounding area feels modern and well maintained, and I have generally found it pleasant and safe to live here. Like most central locations, it can occasionally get busy, but overall the convenience of the area easily outweighs this.

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

Whenever I have needed assistance, the building team, Ngosi & Ryan have been approachable, responsive and willing to help. The reception and security staff in particular are always available and make a genuine effort to resolve queries or point residents in the right direction.

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

I would probably have liked to know beforehand just how helpful the on-site team would be. Having a good reception and security presence makes much more of a difference to day-to-day living than you might appreciate during an initial viewing. The location is also extremely convenient once you actually start living here.

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HomeViews

Daniel (Tenant)

Verified Resident

The Guild, GU1

Sept 2026

Reviewer was offered an incentive for an honest review, regardless of rating

This is rated 5.00 out of 5.00.

Grear community place to live

Daniel (Tenant)

Verified Resident

The Guild, GU1

Sept 2026

Lovely modern design. Everyone thst walks in says "wow this is nice". Gym is decent although some equipment is a little bad but they have gradually been upgrading it over the years so the core is good now. Good squat rack, cable machine, running machines, benches and yoga room. Dumbbells, rowing machines and bike machines could be better. Cinema is very good as is laundry room. Also coworking space and library are great. Overrall I think its very good .

Please tell us about the good and bad aspects of living in your local area:

There is a grocery shop just next door with lots of stuff in it which is great. Train station is very close as is the town centre. Grest location

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

They respond quickly and do make an effort. Theres an app for maintenance stuff.

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

There are some friendly people here if you were hoping for a more communal space. Noise isn't too bad although does depend on your neighbours. If they are bad you can call reception at night and they can help you. There is a quiet hours policy.

・・

Reviewer was offered an incentive for an honest review, regardless of rating

HomeViews

Rob Bickell (Tenant)

Unverified

Hove Central, BN3

Sept 2026

This is rated 5.00 out of 5.00.

Fabulous MODA

Rob Bickell (Tenant)

Unverified

Hove Central, BN3

Sept 2026

Please tell us about the good and bad aspects of living in your local area:

Moda is central to all places, get transport links and great location. The community is a great place to live I would 100% recommend lining here. I love MODA

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

Maintenance team and concierge Mike is amazing always helpful and friendly

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

Mike at front of house is amazing, friendly and great person. He is always happy and smiling and helps everyone. Mike is the best

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HomeViews

Emily (Tenant)

Verified Resident

The Guild, GU1

Sept 2026

Reviewer was offered an incentive for an honest review, regardless of rating

This is rated 4.00 out of 5.00.

Happy tenant!

Emily (Tenant)

Verified Resident

The Guild, GU1

Sept 2026

Really well designed and great layout. The gym is a little basic but has everything you need. Cinema is a great touch. The laundry facilities are a little limited in terms of number. The outside areas are lovely. The management seems to work well. Issues are dealt with quickly and the staff are really nice. The breakfast offerings and Friday night socials are great. I have a baby and they treat her so well, and they are lovely with animals too. I like the ability to host people in the shared areas.

Please tell us about the good and bad aspects of living in your local area:

Guildford is a great town. It's got everything you need, great bars, pubs and restaurants, as well as beautiful nature. I love it.

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

Very well. They have responded quickly and the maintenance guys are great

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

Temperature in the apartments is so hot. Invest in a decent fan

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Reviewer was offered an incentive for an honest review, regardless of rating

HomeViews

Page 1 of 1047

These reviews are the subjective opinion of a HomeViews user and not of HomeViews

Useful articles

Berkshire

Berkshire is a county in the South East of England. It has a population of around 540,000 and contains some beautiful countryside and towns. The landscape here is varied, from chalk downland through rich farmland to woodland and water features. The county town is Reading and there are many other large towns such as Newbury, Swindon and Wokingham which all have their own attractions. Berkshire also has many amazing educational institutions including world-leading universities like the University of Reading.

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Buckinghamshire

Buckinghamshire is a county in the southeast of England. The largest and most populous town in Buckinghamshire is Milton Keynes with over 200,000 residents. Other large towns include Aylesbury, High Wycombe and Slough. There are lots of villages to explore as well such as Stoke Mandeville near Aylesbury (the home of the famous Stoke Mandeville Games), Anstee near Bletchley (which has an ancient church) and East Claydon near Leighton Buzzard (famous for its cherry orchards).

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East Sussex

East Sussex is a county in the southeast of England with a coastline that has many beautiful cliffs and salt marshes which are a haven for birdlife. There are also plenty of coastal towns with stunning beaches such as Bexhill or Hastings that offer great family days out too. If you're looking for somewhere green then there's no shortage - East Sussex has over 400 square kilometres of woodland including Rother Valley Country Park near Brighton which is home to deer, wild boar and foxes!

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Hampshire

Hampshire is a county in the south of England that borders Berkshire, Oxfordshire and Wiltshire. It has some beautiful towns such as Winchester, Basingstoke and Romsey which are perfect for those who want to live near London but without all the hustle and bustle. Hampshire's largest city is Southampton with over 200,000 people living there. With lots of green space, outdoor activities and cultural events, Hampshire offers a vibrant lifestyle for families with young children.

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Kent

Kent is one of the most popular counties in England, with a population of 1.8 million people. It has some really beautiful scenery and many great amenities for families that are looking to buy their first home or move up into a nicer place. There are also several excellent universities that attract students from all over the world to come and study here.

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Milton Keynes

Just 50 miles to north east of London, Milton Keynes was devised as a ‘new town’ in the 1960s and continues to evolve and grow today. Famed for its roundabouts and district grids, the town has benefitted from a steady flow of new residents from London. House prices have seen strong growth, with amenities and schools now plentiful and high quality. Housing is more varied than its reputation might suggest, with everything from period properties in historic villages to new build homes in chic developments.

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Oxfordshire

Oxfordshire is a county in the south of England, home to many great schools and universities. The population is around 638,000 people. Oxfordshire has some lovely countryside that would be perfect for anyone looking to move away from city life with their family. If you are considering moving here, this guide will give you all the information you need to know about Oxfordshire!

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Reading

Reading is a large market town and borough in the county of Berkshire. Located on the M4 motorway 40 miles west of London and within easy reach of both Oxford and Bristol, it has been described as having some of the best transport connections in England. The impending addition of the Elizabeth Line will further boost its appeal with London escapees lured by the scenery of the Chiltern Hills and North Wessex Downs that surround the town.

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Surrey

Surrey is a county in the south of England. It has an area of 1,663 square kilometres and a population of 1.2 million people. Surrey borders London to the North West and Hampshire to the East. The county has many beautiful parks which are great for families, as well as areas with wild landscapes ideal for outdoor pursuits such as cycling or walking. There are so many things to do in Surrey - find out more about this wonderful place!

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West Sussex

West Sussex is a county that has something for everyone. Whether you love the hustle and bustle of London and want somewhere in easy commuting distance, or prefer the peace and tranquillity of rural life, West Sussex has it all! There are many different towns and villages scattered across this beautiful county. From Eastbourne to Worthing, there is no shortage of charming little places with great schools, shopping centres, local amenities and lots more!

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