Old Portsmouth sits within a cluster of neighbourhoods that together offer a genuinely walkable, well-connected slice of city living by the water. You're never far from a restaurant, café or coffee shop, with Charles Dickens alone counting 48 eateries and 23 coffee shops, while St Jude adds another 69 restaurants and 32 coffee shops to the mix. Healthcare and everyday shopping are equally well covered, with GP surgeries, supermarkets and dentists all within easy reach. Schools are a strong point across the board, with Good-rated primaries common to every neighbourhood and standout options like the Outstanding St Edmund's Catholic School and Outstanding secondary provision near St Thomas, plus independent schools and a university campus close by. Housing costs vary noticeably depending on which neighbourhood you look at. Charles Dickens and Central Southsea offer the most affordable entry points, with terraced houses from around £225,000 to £275,000 and flats from £145,000 to £148,000. St Jude and St Thomas sit at the other end of the scale, with St Jude's detached homes reaching £779,000 and St Thomas commanding higher-than-average prices for terraces and flats despite this, living costs including council tax and transport stay below the UK average throughout the area. Transport and environment are consistent strengths. You'll find rail stations, bus links, ferry terminals and taxi ranks dotted across the area, with road access to the A3(M) making onward commuting straightforward, and cycle routes supporting an active lifestyle. The coastal setting brings mild winters, warm summers and excellent air quality, rated among the cleanest nationally in parts. Crime trends are heading in the right direction everywhere, with figures falling year on year, and rates generally sitting below the national average, though St Thomas remains an exception with above-average figures despite its steady improvement. Altogether, this is an area that balances affordability, amenities and transport connections well, with the choice of neighbourhood largely coming down to budget and how much you value proximity to the water's edge.