Thread: Moving to MQ's in Portsmouth

Hi everyone,

I'm in desperate need of some advice pretty please! My DH has just finished officers training at Cranwell and we've been told our first posting is going to be in Portsmouth, where he'll be working at HMS Nelson. We've got to make our preference list for MQ's in a few days and I have absolutely nooo clue about the area or even where the nearby MQ's are. We've got no kiddies (at the moment!) so school's aren't an issue. We just really don't want to end up in a horrible little house in a horrible area. Any advice or tips will be very much appreciated!

Thanks!

Have a read through this see if it's any help. Portsmouth - PatchPedia

A mate of mine had a quarter in Hilsea and constantly had MHS out to one thing or another. I dont know if she was just unlucky or if they are rubbish quarters there full stop.

You will probably be about to find out what each of those areas are like by having a look on something like UK house prices, property, crime, local neighbourhood & schools | UpMyStreet

Also, if you know the postcodes of the MQ areas, I'd go to somewhere like Zoopla.co.uk, put in the post code, search radius of 0.25 mile and see what houses come up, you can often (not always) get an idea on what places are like from how the houses look (do they look cared for etc)

Or if it's possible, it may help to take a quick trip down, drive round the areas, it's one of the ways that I've ended up checking areas to live in (although ours won't be a MQ)

Finally MQ Portsmouth/Pics seems to have some suggestions... from not too long ago

We don't live in the city or surrounds but hubby is based there. Portsmouth isn't a bad place really, it just seems to have more than its fair share of f@*kwits living there.

Hence the escape routes out of the city are pretty good - motorway connections, good train service up to London, etc. The coast and countryside around the area is lovely.

Just be warned that at peak times the traffic is awful and getting in and out of Nelson at that time can be a big effort.

Thanks so much for the replies ladies. I think we're going to try and sweet talk the DHE and see if we can get a list of houses available or at very least the area's they're in, then have a little road trip down to have a nose! Oh this new military life is going to be an interesting one isn't it!
Thanks again!

Road trip is an excellent idea! You can always do a spot of outlet shopping at Gunwharf Quays

I'm in Officers quarters in Portsmouth - here is a list of the officers patches I know of -

Seafield Park AKA Stubbington. Its a mix of new builds and older style houses, I have been in the Older style Type V Specials there. Stubbington is a nice village, the patch is close to the sea and the schools are good.

Titchfield - There is only one row of Officers houses (think they are large 3 beds/4beds) in Titchfield and they are not that close to anything.
Daedalus AKA Lee-on-Solent is all new builds. Lee-on-Solent is again a nice village and close to the sea.

There are also some houses in Alverstoke.

The problem with Lee-on-Solent, Titchfield, Alverstoke & Stubbington is the commute if you're OH is going to be at Nelson. The A32 into Fareham is terrible at peak times.

The patch in Old Portsmouth borders Southsea Common. They're in a lovely position and probably great for a young couple, close to lots of nice pubs/restaurants etc. I don't really know that much more about them.

There is also an Officer's patch in Drayton/Farlington border. All are built up the hill and not all have garages, parking can be an issue and there can be steep steps up to your front door.

We are in Southwick in a detached Type V Special. Southwick is a nice quiet patch, one street next to a lovely village with 2 pubs. Its definitely rural compared to the other patches, so you do need to drive. There is one PO/Flt Lt house free on our patch at the moment. The HIC will try & say that this patch is only for people working at Southwick Park, but they will budge if challenged! They tried to tell us that it wasn't near enough to my OH's place of work in Portsmouth then offered us Seafield Park!

I would go for Seafield Park if you have a young family, Old Portsmouth/Southsea if you like a social life and Southwick if you like peace & quiet (OH likes the fact that he feels totally detached from work by living over the hill).

The housing stock in Pompey (barring the new builds) are all pretty tatty, not much money is being spent on them. PM me if you want any road names. The HIC or the HIVE will have a better handle on whats where and also what houses to your OH's entitlement are available on each patch.

Great thanks so much for the info. Is Pembroke Park apart of the Old Portsmouth patch? Any street names or postcodes would be VERY much appreciated.
Thanks!!

We were in a similar situation a few months ago having never lived in MQ and having no idea where they were - I emailed portsmouth HIVE and they have an extensive list of what and where, how many houses of each type etc, which was a lifesaver.
FWIW we've ended up in Petersfield and love it. Great for rural dog walks, train up to London takes an hour, and the commute into Pompey isn't bad either. Good pubs, monthly farmers market etc.
Good luck with your move!

We've been offered a house in Drayton, does anyone know if it's a good area?
Thanks!!