Do you live in Dorset? Can you help?

[babyblue80]

Hello everyone. I'm new to the site and posting on forums in general. I friend suggested I come on for a bit of help.

I'm relocating to Dorset and need some advice on nice family areas to live and schools. My son is 10mths old so have some time for schools but thought it a good place to start. Anyone know much about Canford Heath?

There are plenty of Estate Agents but nowhere to advice on neighbourhoods and such like.

Hope you can help....

Thanks.

[monkeypinkmonkey]

I can't but I'll bump for you coz we are looking to relocate there too, so I want to spy your responses.
bump

[LittleMissBliss]

Hello I live in Poole, I have also lived in Dorchester, Martinstown (village outside of Dorchester) and Weymouth. So know the area pretty well.

Canford heath is a bit mixed has some lovely areas and some not so lovely. No real shopping just a big housing estate. Some older and few newer properties. The schools have a good reputation as far as i am aware.
We looked at a few properties there a few months ago when our house was on the market.

[LittleMissBliss]

What are you looking for in an area?

House sizes
Schools
Nice Parks
Walking distance to beach
Walking distance to shops
etc?

[babyblue80]

Hi thanks for that. I'm looking for a 3+ bedroom, no more than 15mins drive from supermarket/shops, same for school ( St Mary's has a good rating I think), max 30 mins drive from main town centre, bonus if a walk to beach and park/s. Would like somewhere not too built up. Am open to any suggestions at the moment.

Cheers

[poshtottie]

Are you looking to buy or rent?

I used to live in Poole but now live further west.

I don't know Canford Heath but I used to live in Branksome Park which is lovely but very expensive to buy a house there.

[FiveGoMadInDorset]

Are you specifically looking towards Poole and Bournemouth as Dorset is a big place.

[babyblue80]

I'm looking to buy. I am looking towards Poole and Bournemouth because of transport links. Also because I've been to that area before. I would like to be close to the sea as my husband's health condition ( Asthma) is helped by the sea air.Thats the reason for our move.

[FiveGoMadInDorset]

Personally with asthma I woul be looking out of Poole and Bournemouth, there are good transport links from Weymouth, Dorchester, Moreton, Wool, Wareham and there are nice villages around them allwhich have good schools.

[babyblue80]

Cheers - I'll look into those. His other health conditions would be helped by the sea air.Its difficult when we are searching in areas we're not familiar with We're looking to be no more than approx 30 mins from an airport. This helps with family visiting and specialist hospital appiontment that we would need to attend back up north.

[FiveGoMadInDorset]

Try the Hampshire side aswell. But just for example we are just under 60 minutes to Southampton Eastleigh by train and 35 mins from Bournemouth Airport, we live just outside Wool with very clean air.

[babyblue80]

Thank you. I'll have a look at those suggestions. We have just started on our quest so I'm sure they'll be a long way to go! hmm

[Bridg84]

Hi all, we have been looking for over a year about moving to Dorset, we holiday in Swanage every other year and adore it but we are not sure about moving there if there would be enough job opportunities things for kids to do etc. I have a son of 10 starting secondary in September 17 & a daughter of 7. Can anyone help as we really want to move to Dorset but just not sure which area. We were thinking of Wareham too my kids are begging to move to Swanage but I think (I may be wrong) the teenage years would be limiting there socially for them. Any advice would be welcomed. Thanks

[OnePlanOnHouzz]

Parts of dorset have the three school system rather than primary and secondary - so your son would be at middle school until 13 ( I think ?) and your daughter in first school ... it can get a bit clogged up with visitors in the summer - so good to move to a place with more than one road in or out - swanage is great for a day out - lots and lots of people agree - so it can get busy !
You get more home for your pennies slightly inland . And Dorchester is a good place with lots of things to do for kids etc
Poundbury is cool if you like new build homes - lots of great villages in the piddle valley - of luck in your search - it's a wonderful county !!

[OnePlanOnHouzz]

Of luck ? That should say good luck !! Lol !!

[DustyOwl]

Swanage is lovely but is very cut off. It is due to be linked by rail soon (I think) so could be a good investment.

Canford heath is a mixed bag. I like Broadstone/Corfe Mullen/Wimborne.

Wimborne would have less air congestion, has great schools and gets less clogged up with traffic than Poole/bmouth etc.

[Bridg84]

Thanks to you both for your replies; it's such a big decision so great to get feedback!

How far is Dorchester from Swanage?
That's interesting re: the railway in Swanage I'll have to look it up as that would be a pro. I've heard of Corfe Mullen & Wimborne etc but never been so maybe I should try to get down in the Easter Break to see them.
What were both your views on Wareham vs Swanage for living with kids. Sorry for all the questions x

[Barnet1234]

Hi
can anyone tell me what Canford Heath is like ? I have two young boys 5 and 8 . Thank you so much

[Potatomashed]

@Barnet1234

Hi
can anyone tell me what Canford Heath is like ? I have two young boys 5 and 8 . Thank you so much

Not changed much since the OP asked in 2009!

[BovineJuice]

Wimborne has an incredibly large amount of bungalows and isn't cheap. I'd suggest this would tell you a lot about its residents.

[DianneITV]

No I live in Scunthorpe, sorry :-/