Info on dorset

[Lizzy555]

Hi, my husband's just got a job in Dorchester. Looks like we'll be moving to dorset....once we sell our house.
Can someone tell me if Yeovil is a good place to live? The house prices seem to be better there. He needs to be no more than 40 minutes away from Dorchester.
Ideally wanting somewhere not too busy (live in a village in Bedfordshire at mo) but with a bit of a community, shop would be great. Very tight budget, 230 max. But happy for a do-upper. Any help much appreciated

[FiveGoMadInDorset]

Personally I wouldn't, I would look in Dorchester or surrounding villages, Bridport, Wareham, wool, all within easily 40 minutes commute. If you have children how old are they?

[Lizzy555]

Hi, thanks for your reply.
My two are just at uni so schools not at issue.
Looking online really doesn't give the full story, so all comments really appreciated. Would much prefer to buy Straight away than rent initially.

[Tw1nsetAndPearls]

We have moved a lot in Dorset and so I have quite a good overview. Admittedly Yeovil is a bit far out for us but it isn't somewhere I would actively choose to live.

There are lovely villages around Dorchester and Dorchester itself is also great.

[ForestDad]

Hi Yeovil is pants in about 50% of places to be honest you will get a decent house for £230k.
Dorchester is nice in most places, you won't get a decent house for £230k there!
I lived in Yeovil for 5 years in a nice central 3/4 bed terrace which is worth about £160k. If you're commuting to Dorch look at the South side of yeovil on top of the hill. Or possibly the newish builds to the West. Don't go East, the traffic through town is a pain.
I think that unless you are looking at 2 bed cottage or something you'll struggle to get something in a nice village for that money. Weymouth is as easy a commute as Yeovil to Dorch, or perhaps Bridport along the coast.
So yes you get a lot more house for your money in Yeovil but it is a less desirable area. Compared to Dorch there are a lot of poorer, scruffier people and more immigrants. There are few nice resturants and no nice bars/pubs compared to most modern towns of same size. That being said the people are nice and you can get pretty much everything there. There are relatively few graduate jobs and no uni (although Dorch the same).
Are you looking for work too? What about job prospects/clubs/social etc?

[Lizzy555]

Thanks Forestdad, that's really helpful. We could up our budget a bit but would like to keep it low if can. We only need a good sized two bed so long as it's got a decent garden or open space around it and not mid terrace.
Maybe the Crewkerne area is better? Not thought of Weymouth or Bridport as thought would be more expensive nearer the coast, I'll have a look.
Yes I'd need to find work too. I work in childcare (currently run a preschool) so hoping will find something- teaching assistant, daily nanny when we get there.

[Lowdoorinthewal1]

If you want a village, Yetminster is a very easy commute for Dorchester and the house prices are not bad there. It has a Spar and a brilliant GP. 10 minutes to either Yeovil or Sherborne for more amenities.

TBH, if you want a town, Sherborne is much nicer than Yeovil, but the houses are more expensive as a result.

[ForestDad]

Crewkerne is OK, some shops and a good pool. Sherborne is good but bit of a drive to Dorch. +1 for Yetminster.

[FiveGoMadInDorset]

20 minutes from Sherborne to Dorchester

[Lowdoorinthewal1]

How fast do you drive Five?? We do the Sherborne to Dorch run frequently and I would say it is a solid 30 mins. However, the A352 is good as Dorset roads go and usually quiet.

I really love Sherborne, £230 wouldn't go all that far though.

[FiveGoMadInDorset]

Not that fast!

[Lowdoorinthewal1]

I've seen ya.. doing 95 in your 4x4!

[FiveGoMadInDorset]

That's the one cunningly disguised as a Citroen c3

[Lizzy555]

Thanks for that Lowdoorinthewal and FiveGoMad, really helpful.
A bit worried that we might need to rent for a while but hoping they’ll be something we can update, maybe put a bit of an extension on etc.
Much appreciated

[Clare26]

Hi I hope I am ok tagging on the end of this. We are moving to Dorset and have Dorchester in mind. Funnily enough we are moving from Bedfordshire too!

We have a 6yr old so would be looking at lower/primary schools. Any advice anyone can give would be great.

I know many are oversubscribed but that’s the same where we are at the moment too.

We are heading down in a couple of weeks so have a nose around (and a child free weekend!).

What are your thoughts on Charminster? The school there doesn’t seem to have a good ofsted (I do appreciate that it doesn’t give the full picture always though).

Thanks for any info

[Daisydoesnt]

I'm a Wareham girl (born & bred, but now living west of Yeovil). Wareham IS lovely, but you'll find anywhere east or south of Dorchester quite expensive. Yeovil is definitely cheap but not as nice, in fact it's not a very attractive town at all, although it's a good, fast road for your DH's commute. Crewkerne is much better but the road to Dorch is pants; get stuck behind something and you can't overtake. Sherborne is wonderful and where I'd look if I were you, if you can find somewhere in your budget. Good luck with the move.

[Clare26]

Thank you, glad I tagged on. We were going to look at Sherborne too so that’s nice to get a 2nd opinion on it.