Can relocate to Plymouth or Bournemouth, which is best?

[Leicesterdave]

I've got the option of relocating for work in either of those but know little about them. I love Cornwall and been through Plymouth once but the city didn't inspire me.

Help!

[schmalex]

Of the two, Bournemouth is significantly more affluent. It has a nice beach and easy access to areas like the Purbecs / New Forest. On the downside, Bournemouth and the surrounding area is absolutely rammed with tourists from May to September, meaning that it can forever to travel anywhere by car.

If it were me, it'd be a tough call. If I could get somewhere nice around Saltash, I may be persuaded by Plymouth, but Bournemouth and Poole has some lovely areas as well (particularly around Sandbanks / Canford or Mudeford / Brockenhurst if you want to be a bit further out and train to work

[e21Mark]

Plymouth is as rough as a bears arse..

Bournemouth isn't bad by comparison.

[Samwich]

Bournemouth is crowded in summer but bareable, just stay away from Boscombe.

[Johnnytheboy]

Bournemouth.

Plymouth isn't that salubrious and it's a long way from anywhere else.

[Adam B]

Will you be paid the same? Will they be laying on accommodation?

Bournemouth much nicer but more expensive

[texasjohn]

I spent four years in Plymouth while at university. Had a great time, wouldn't change a thing etc.

I now live near Bournemouth and have family there so quite familiar with that part of the world.

Given the choice between Plymouth and Bournemouth I would pick the latter.

[stevesuk]

Bournemouth for me (moved down here - well, to neighbouring Poole - from South London a decade or so ago). It still feels fairly well linked to the rest of the south east (in terms of journey times in to London, and along the coast to Southampton). My limited experience of the West Country is that it can feel a bit detached by comparison - although I'm sure those that live there would say this is a good thing!

[rehab71]

Bournemouth, Plymouth is a dump

[Carrot]

Having lived in Plymouth for a few years, and spent a considerable amount of time in Bournemouth, I would say Bournemouth every time.

Not sure whether it is due to being raised in the South East (Thames Valley area), but Plymouth was really rough in places and just feels like miles away from anywhere. I did enjoy living there to some extent but this area felt like home.

[Dbest92]

As stated plymouth is a dump, but if you were prepared to commute in, there are many small towns/villages not too far from Plym that are lovely, particularly torpoint, saltash, menheniot, st Germans to name a few

[LukeDM]

Plymouth for me, just make sure you choose your accommodation well!

[nagsheadwarrior]

Plymouth but fking living in Cornwall, the South Hamms is where it's at, Kingsbridge, Yealmpton all good or Ivybridge is lovely.

I'd do Bournemouth though, Devon folk are strange.

[dai1983]

nagsheadwarrior said:

Plymouth but fking living in Cornwall

This! I'd describe Plymouth as similar to Newport in South Wales. Utterly scummy place full of the dregs of Society, matelots and bootnecks. I'm the former and a lot of my collegues would lick the DoEs arse to get based there and I have no idea why. The surrounding little villages are awesome though if your into that type of place and the Torpoint twisties are good.

I guess it depends in what your into, how long it takes you to get home, your rental/mortgage budget etc really. For me I love Cornwall and North Devon over both.

[ferrariF50lover]

nagsheadwarrior said:

Plymouth but fking living in Cornwall, the South Hamms is where it's at, Kingsbridge, Yealmpton all good or Ivybridge is lovely.

I'd do Bournemouth though, Devon folk are strange.

None of the places you've listed are in Cornwall. Doesn't vitiate your advice though.

Live in Ballmouth, but if you must live in Plymouth, either live in Exeter or Cornwall and commute. Plymouth is a proper hovel.

Simon.

[Mojooo]

Someone told me in busy season it can take 5 hours to go between london and bournemout by car - i presume at least 3 hours of that is trying to get from just outside bournemouth to inside bournemouth

[GT03ROB]

Mojooo said:

Someone told me in busy season it can take 5 hours to go between london and bournemout by car - i presume at least 3 hours of that is trying to get from just outside bournemouth to inside bournemouth

Sounds accurate!! Bit if you are going to head to Bournemouth on a sunny Saturday summer morning, what would you expect. It's normally just over an hour for me from Heathrow to home which is at the top of the spur road to Bournemouth.

[Alucidnation]

It's normally because someone can't negotiate any of the slip roads out of Ringwood, or, read the fking road signs heading West and cause an accident.

More often than not though, it is just weight of traffic.

[ecain63]

I lived in Plymouth as a kid and loved it. Back in the 90s it was half decent, with a thriving city centre and easy access to the moor. I went back briefly in 98 when I joined the forces and found it ok, but not what I remembered.

Then I went back in 2003 when I got based at Stonehouse. I was there for 5 years but commuted to Bournemouth on weekends (when i wasn't deployed) to see my missus. Plymouth had become a st hole by then and I don't think it'll have changed much since. I now live just outside Ringwood. Much nicer!

[UncappedTag]

Not a fan of Plymouth however I work in Bournemouth and despise most of the people. Too full of middle management idiots on power trips.