Hi, I'm a Bristolian living in Wimborne (well right next to it) . Been here for over 12 years now. We're very happy here and it suits us but we didn't move down directly from Bristol but from a village in Somerset so not so much of culture shock.
It is a mix of those who have always lived here and those that have moved in, fair few Londoners. It is a pain gettung back up to Bristol and I rarely do. I'm going to have to more in the future as my Dad still up in Bristol and getting older. He always visits us as loves it here but that will change when he can no longer drive and I'm not looking forward to regular trips up if I'm honest.
Schools are different here and operate on the 3 tier system , apart from the Catholic primary school. Some children go off to the Poole Grammars but much fewer now as the Upper School is improving with the New Head. There has been a lot of chopping and changing with Heads in the last few years and a fair few of the local schools have just formed an Academy trust. I'm keeping a close eye on things as need to decide where DS going to Upper school in a couple of year's time. I'd like him to go to Lytchett but won't get in. Ringwood School the one to get into for now or Twynham but you have to live near them and no chance from Wimborne,
My DD is doing GCSE's, not at QE the Wimborne school but I know a lot of parents there. Listening to what has been going on I suspect they will produce a decent set of results this year.
My DC's are much more sheltered than I was growing up and the old Head at Upper school said the grow up in a bubble. I have discovered there is a fair bit of underlying racism around sadly. But I have some lovely friends who helped us through a very bad time. A few Bristolians lurking, my Neighbour's Dad was at the same school as mine.