Bournemouth / Poole - Where's nice / worth avoiding?
Discussion
We're looking to move house to the South Coast and are considering the Bournemouth / Poole area. We've done a couple of exploratory trips, but I think we need to get a bit more organised.
We've figured out that central Bournemouth is probably best avoided, and I've been told that Boscombe is also a place to avoid. We like Southbourne. We're not familiar with Poole, but I keep seeing places like Lilliput and Parkstone mentioned. There seems to be a wide disparity on house prices - it is just a case of cheap house = s
tty area?
To add some context, we have no interest in schools or proximity to train stations but would like to live somewhere with some life - decent pubs and non-chain restaurants. We will be doing more exploring, but some context from those familiar with the area would be very useful.
We've figured out that central Bournemouth is probably best avoided, and I've been told that Boscombe is also a place to avoid. We like Southbourne. We're not familiar with Poole, but I keep seeing places like Lilliput and Parkstone mentioned. There seems to be a wide disparity on house prices - it is just a case of cheap house = s
tty area?To add some context, we have no interest in schools or proximity to train stations but would like to live somewhere with some life - decent pubs and non-chain restaurants. We will be doing more exploring, but some context from those familiar with the area would be very useful.
I appreciate my reply won’t be particularly helpful as I/we don’t know much about your circumstances but fwiw we have very good friends who moved to Christchurch from London (Putney/Wimbledon) when they married with the intention of raising children in a “nicer” place. That was nearly 20 years ago. We visit two or three times a year for an overnight stay. We have also taken our week long summer holiday in Christchurch for the last x years with our children and know that part of Dorset fairly well as tourists.
They have a lovely life. They’re 300 yards from the beach with nice walks and bike rides from their doorstep. New Forest not far. Returns to London are doable. Bournemouth airport works for them. Day trips to the IOW. Blah blah. Worth considering they have a house with a seven figure value and gross maybe £200k pa. You’d hope that would net them a lovely life. We love visiting but I know our overnight stays are fantasy. If you really drill down into it beyond the pre-teen years they’re pretty reliant on the car and there are the same issues around traffic congestion as there would be in any stockbroker built district. It certainly feels just like living in Hemel/St Albans or around Woking etc. Their kids are young teenagers now. It will be interesting to see how family living pans out in the near future. They’re growing up in a pretty small place. London it is not.
Bournemouth (and Poole) are very much changed from my youth. They’re much bigger and the change isn't totally for the better. Modern urban issues are evident.
I suspect fabulous lives can still be found, mind. I suspect early retirement years in a nice house in a very nice immediate locale when on comfortable incomes could be very lovely indeed. So much depends on your wants/needs and wealth/income/budget.
Hopefully you’ll get more specific advice. I’ve noticed over the years there are plenty of locals on PH.
They have a lovely life. They’re 300 yards from the beach with nice walks and bike rides from their doorstep. New Forest not far. Returns to London are doable. Bournemouth airport works for them. Day trips to the IOW. Blah blah. Worth considering they have a house with a seven figure value and gross maybe £200k pa. You’d hope that would net them a lovely life. We love visiting but I know our overnight stays are fantasy. If you really drill down into it beyond the pre-teen years they’re pretty reliant on the car and there are the same issues around traffic congestion as there would be in any stockbroker built district. It certainly feels just like living in Hemel/St Albans or around Woking etc. Their kids are young teenagers now. It will be interesting to see how family living pans out in the near future. They’re growing up in a pretty small place. London it is not.
Bournemouth (and Poole) are very much changed from my youth. They’re much bigger and the change isn't totally for the better. Modern urban issues are evident.
I suspect fabulous lives can still be found, mind. I suspect early retirement years in a nice house in a very nice immediate locale when on comfortable incomes could be very lovely indeed. So much depends on your wants/needs and wealth/income/budget.
Hopefully you’ll get more specific advice. I’ve noticed over the years there are plenty of locals on PH.
I m originally from Bormuff. Born 1970 - left 1998 but still go back a lot due to ageing Mum and a BTL property we have.
The town centre has really suffered in the last years, with shops that attract sales being a little out of town, e.g. Castlepoint shopping centre.
Southbourne is better now than it ever used to be. I lived there 93-98 and our BTL is near the cliff top at Southbourne Crossroads.
There are lots of decent residential streets, shops, bars, restaurants, and probably one of the best stretches of beach too. SoBo Beach, as it s now known, has a few permanently placed food trucks and a DD bus on site. It s very popular.
If I ever had to move back to Bormuff, BH6 is where I d be.
My brother and Mum each live in BH13 - Branksome Park and Canford Cliffs, respectively. Nice, but CC is silly busy in the Summer.
AVOID: Boscombe, Townsend, Kinson, Wallisdown, Alder Hills, Hamworthy, Creekmoor, Oakdale, Upper Parkstone…. IMO
ETA: PM me if I can help ..
The town centre has really suffered in the last years, with shops that attract sales being a little out of town, e.g. Castlepoint shopping centre.
Southbourne is better now than it ever used to be. I lived there 93-98 and our BTL is near the cliff top at Southbourne Crossroads.
There are lots of decent residential streets, shops, bars, restaurants, and probably one of the best stretches of beach too. SoBo Beach, as it s now known, has a few permanently placed food trucks and a DD bus on site. It s very popular.
If I ever had to move back to Bormuff, BH6 is where I d be.
My brother and Mum each live in BH13 - Branksome Park and Canford Cliffs, respectively. Nice, but CC is silly busy in the Summer.
AVOID: Boscombe, Townsend, Kinson, Wallisdown, Alder Hills, Hamworthy, Creekmoor, Oakdale, Upper Parkstone…. IMO
ETA: PM me if I can help ..
Edited by RC1807 on Sunday 22 February 13:31
Between Canford Cliffs and Westbourne is really nice, if that's within your budget. 3 lovely pubs to seek out, but as another member has mentioned, it gets silly in the summer.
Expect to hear car doors being slammed at 7am during the summer, as holiday folk race to park as close as possible to the beach on the residential roads, to avoid the car parking fees. There are no permits for on street parking in these areas.
And to hear lots of shouting as drunk people wonder back. You can pretty much guarantee that on any sunny day outside of winter.
The Quay is nice in the summer, there's a regual bike meet, so some nice machinery to drool over, although living there is probably not a nice as CC.
Shops, easy access private GP are in Westbourne.
Expect to hear car doors being slammed at 7am during the summer, as holiday folk race to park as close as possible to the beach on the residential roads, to avoid the car parking fees. There are no permits for on street parking in these areas.
And to hear lots of shouting as drunk people wonder back. You can pretty much guarantee that on any sunny day outside of winter.
The Quay is nice in the summer, there's a regual bike meet, so some nice machinery to drool over, although living there is probably not a nice as CC.
Shops, easy access private GP are in Westbourne.
bunchofkeys said:
Between Canford Cliffs and Westbourne is really nice, if that's within your budget. 3 lovely pubs to seek out, but as another member has mentioned, it gets silly in the summer.
Expect to hear car doors being slammed at 7am during the summer, as holiday folk race to park as close as possible to the beach on the residential roads, to avoid the car parking fees. There are no permits for on street parking in these areas.
And to hear lots of shouting as drunk people wonder back. You can pretty much guarantee that on any sunny day outside of winter.
The Quay is nice in the summer, there's a regual bike meet, so some nice machinery to drool over, although living there is probably not a nice as CC.
Shops, easy access private GP are in Westbourne.
We have a friend who has lived in Camford Cliffs with fabulous sea views for the last 20-years. The cliff face is eroding, but will still be a while before the block is at sea level. In order to play BOMAD, they decided to sell and bought a similar sized apartment in Westbourne, and pocketed £800k in the process. Living by the sea was chaotic on any sunny day and the novelty soon wares off.Expect to hear car doors being slammed at 7am during the summer, as holiday folk race to park as close as possible to the beach on the residential roads, to avoid the car parking fees. There are no permits for on street parking in these areas.
And to hear lots of shouting as drunk people wonder back. You can pretty much guarantee that on any sunny day outside of winter.
The Quay is nice in the summer, there's a regual bike meet, so some nice machinery to drool over, although living there is probably not a nice as CC.
Shops, easy access private GP are in Westbourne.
Westbourne, is a great place to live, very close to most amenities and connected to both Bournemouth and Poole by reliable public transport. Important if there is nowhere for casual parking.
The choice between the two is a no-brainer.
omniflow said:
We're looking to move house to the South Coast and are considering the Bournemouth / Poole area. We've done a couple of exploratory trips, but I think we need to get a bit more organised.
We've figured out that central Bournemouth is probably best avoided, and I've been told that Boscombe is also a place to avoid. We like Southbourne. We're not familiar with Poole, but I keep seeing places like Lilliput and Parkstone mentioned. There seems to be a wide disparity on house prices - it is just a case of cheap house = stty area?
To add some context, we have no interest in schools or proximity to train stations but would like to live somewhere with some life - decent pubs and non-chain restaurants. We will be doing more exploring, but some context from those familiar with the area would be very useful.
Grew up in Bournemouth & Poole. Lower Parkstone then Branksome Park. Then moved to West Parley with my now-wife. Most of it has really declined over the last 10-15 years, pretty awful areas. We moved to a little village in North Dorset (near Sturminster Newton) in September 2024 and absolutely love it.We've figured out that central Bournemouth is probably best avoided, and I've been told that Boscombe is also a place to avoid. We like Southbourne. We're not familiar with Poole, but I keep seeing places like Lilliput and Parkstone mentioned. There seems to be a wide disparity on house prices - it is just a case of cheap house = s
tty area?To add some context, we have no interest in schools or proximity to train stations but would like to live somewhere with some life - decent pubs and non-chain restaurants. We will be doing more exploring, but some context from those familiar with the area would be very useful.
DorsetSparky said:
omniflow said:
We're looking to move house to the South Coast and are considering the Bournemouth / Poole area. We've done a couple of exploratory trips, but I think we need to get a bit more organised.
We've figured out that central Bournemouth is probably best avoided, and I've been told that Boscombe is also a place to avoid. We like Southbourne. We're not familiar with Poole, but I keep seeing places like Lilliput and Parkstone mentioned. There seems to be a wide disparity on house prices - it is just a case of cheap house = stty area?
To add some context, we have no interest in schools or proximity to train stations but would like to live somewhere with some life - decent pubs and non-chain restaurants. We will be doing more exploring, but some context from those familiar with the area would be very useful.
Grew up in Bournemouth & Poole. Lower Parkstone then Branksome Park. Then moved to West Parley with my now-wife. Most of it has really declined over the last 10-15 years, pretty awful areas. We moved to a little village in North Dorset (near Sturminster Newton) in September 2024 and absolutely love it.We've figured out that central Bournemouth is probably best avoided, and I've been told that Boscombe is also a place to avoid. We like Southbourne. We're not familiar with Poole, but I keep seeing places like Lilliput and Parkstone mentioned. There seems to be a wide disparity on house prices - it is just a case of cheap house = s
tty area?To add some context, we have no interest in schools or proximity to train stations but would like to live somewhere with some life - decent pubs and non-chain restaurants. We will be doing more exploring, but some context from those familiar with the area would be very useful.
DorsetSparky said:
paulw123 said:
Sturminster Newton is nice but living in the middle of nowhere isn't for everyone though.
Everything is a 10-15 minute drive away, the village is lovely, and we live on a small new development with excellent neighbours. Definitely not for everyone, granted!It doesn't help that around 1100 new houses are going up in Gillingham which is a more attractive location with amenities.
I moved to here 15 years ago nearly.
I live north of the area in Verwood.
Things go from high to low in a short space of time here property wise.
Southbourne I always think is cramped and parking a nightmare if you are looking at say a 3 bed terrace.
You could find some cracking period properties in Northbourne/Winton/Queens Park/Talbot woods but it's again quite busy road wise and a bit close to bournemouth.
Wimborne, Ferndown, West Moors are healthy areas but overpriced I always find for what you are getting.
If you've got the wodge, Hengistbury, Christchurch Mudeford/Avon/Highcliffe, Branksome park, Canford, Broadstone.
I live north of the area in Verwood.
Things go from high to low in a short space of time here property wise.
Southbourne I always think is cramped and parking a nightmare if you are looking at say a 3 bed terrace.
You could find some cracking period properties in Northbourne/Winton/Queens Park/Talbot woods but it's again quite busy road wise and a bit close to bournemouth.
Wimborne, Ferndown, West Moors are healthy areas but overpriced I always find for what you are getting.
If you've got the wodge, Hengistbury, Christchurch Mudeford/Avon/Highcliffe, Branksome park, Canford, Broadstone.
Saleen836 said:
DorsetSparky said:
paulw123 said:
Sturminster Newton is nice but living in the middle of nowhere isn't for everyone though.
Everything is a 10-15 minute drive away, the village is lovely, and we live on a small new development with excellent neighbours. Definitely not for everyone, granted!It doesn't help that around 1100 new houses are going up in Gillingham which is a more attractive location with amenities.
fourstardan said:
I moved to here 15 years ago nearly.
I live north of the area in Verwood.
Things go from high to low in a short space of time here property wise.
Southbourne I always think is cramped and parking a nightmare if you are looking at say a 3 bed terrace.
You could find some cracking period properties in Northbourne/Winton/Queens Park/Talbot woods but it's again quite busy road wise and a bit close to bournemouth.
Wimborne, Ferndown, West Moors are healthy areas but overpriced I always find for what you are getting.
If you've got the wodge, Hengistbury, Christchurch Mudeford/Avon/Highcliffe, Branksome park, Canford, Broadstone.
Well I never realised you were a near neighbour!I live north of the area in Verwood.
Things go from high to low in a short space of time here property wise.
Southbourne I always think is cramped and parking a nightmare if you are looking at say a 3 bed terrace.
You could find some cracking period properties in Northbourne/Winton/Queens Park/Talbot woods but it's again quite busy road wise and a bit close to bournemouth.
Wimborne, Ferndown, West Moors are healthy areas but overpriced I always find for what you are getting.
If you've got the wodge, Hengistbury, Christchurch Mudeford/Avon/Highcliffe, Branksome park, Canford, Broadstone.
Frankly I’d avoid Bournmouth & Poole like the plague. Too busy, for the most part not smart, full of tourists, stag parties & foreigners. I’d watch some of the towns in the area too. It can be a bit like Eloi & Morlocks of an evening!
Nice to see Wimborne mentioned by a few people as guess what, I live here!
Was born in Poole hospital and apart from 10 years working in London lived here in the area for 40 years.
Happy to help if you want to pm me, obviously I know the area very well.
Wimborne does tick all your boxes by the way.
Was born in Poole hospital and apart from 10 years working in London lived here in the area for 40 years.
Happy to help if you want to pm me, obviously I know the area very well.
Wimborne does tick all your boxes by the way.
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