Advice on West Canford Heath

[Twopoint4children]

Hello,

Just after a bit of advice. My husband and I, with our 2 children (5 and 3), are considering a move to upsize to West Canford Heath from Oakdale. It is not an area we have looked at before as we were looking more in Oakdale and Lower parkstone but have really struggled to find a house to suit our criteria and within budget.

Is there anyone that can shed some light on this area, and what it is like to raise a young family here? Our eldest is settled in a poole school, which we anticipate our youngest will also go to, so we are not looking at primary schools in this area. We are having doubts, as even though it seems to be a really nice and quiet area, it seems a little remote, and whenever we mention canford heath to people, they go quiet! ;)

Any advice gratefully received!!

[TableTableReview]

I'd say the infant/junior schools are all pretty good and would send my children to over quite a few other Poole schools. The secondary school is like marmite. I dont like it, it's a bit boot camp and strict and target driven but does get good results given the area. It describes itself as a secondary modern due to the grammar school.

Depends where you are on the heath but away from asda/verity park I think you'd be fine and especially on a cup de say people don't cut through. We love being able to walk on the heath.

[Twopoint4children]

Hi,

Thanks for the reply, really helpful. We are not really looking to access the primary schools as our children will (hopefully) both go to the same school. But good to know the schools are good. We would be nearer montacute school in terms of location. We think it seems like a good area but whenever we mention we are thinking of moving there, we get silence! I suppose wherever you live, there are good and bad roads, it is just people seem to class canford Heath as one big area and usually negatively (just in my recent experience -not my opinion).

[TableTableReview]

Its a real mix of an area with some council housing and some expensive houses all mixed in together. So perhaps nicer than some of the other estate areas in Poole. I didn't think it had a "reputation" though.

I think its made up of a large proportion of young families. A lot of families that grew up in the area and then had children young themselves. Not really aware of "trouble" though and a lot of people too who've moved into the area as well.

It's not lower Parkstone/Broadstone but then you get more for your money.

Waffling really sorry!

[Twopoint4children]

Thanks so much, really helpful advice!