Move to England, tips?

Hello there, I am a teenager from the United States. I am only a few years from graduation, and I was considering moving to the United Kingdom for college study. I will be released from the compulsory education at 18 years of age. I have heard many great things about the University of Southampton, and have been wanting to go there. However, I have also heard rumours that Southampton is one of the most violent cities in England. Is this true? What would I need to do to get accepted to University of Southampton, have somewhere to live, and find a part-time job? Any tips, help, or advice is greatly appreciated.