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Original poster

Moving to the uk with teenagers. Durham or Poole?

37 replies

Tkamb · 21/02/2020 17:18

Hi all!
I've been offered a job either in Poole or in Durham. We are moving from Spain with 2 teenagers.

We have been to both places. Found Poole- Bournemouth too spread out, is it good for the kids to move independently? Or do you find yourself giving them lifts everywhere?

Durham is lovely, but not many choices to rent good houses and the job offer not as good. Is it a good place for teenagers to be?

Which one would you choose? We have never lived in the uk before so we feel a bit lost and would like to choose well!

OP posts:
IfNot · 22/02/2020 10:26

Poole (or near to Poole) because it's much warmer, Dorset is lovely, and London is easy to get to. Durham is ok but the surrounds can be a bit bleak.

myrtleWilson · 22/02/2020 10:25

Oh St L is a great school too but I think DJ comes top of league (for what it's worth)

myrtleWilson · 22/02/2020 10:21

DJ is a great school - really high performing. Would your children be bumped up admissions because of you working there?
I'd disagree with living Gateshead/Chester - we did that for a while commuting into Durham and it wasn't most fun! Especially if your children are able to get into DJ I'd go for that over finding a good undersubscribed school in Gateshead- It's very easy to get into Newcastle for socialising at the weekend if your children wish to...

TalaxuArmiuna · 22/02/2020 10:13

I would
be taking the Durham job and choosing a home in Gateshead or Chester Le Street (near a good school - there are some awful ones) which would allow an easy commute to Durham and give the teenagers (and the young adults they will be in a few years) easier access to the social opportunities and employment options of Newcastle.

Original poster
Tkamb · 22/02/2020 09:58

Mirtlewilsom, St Leonards or Durham Johnston. It does not seem easy though!

OP posts:
myrtleWilson · 22/02/2020 08:46

Hi OP
I live in Durham with a teen and have found it great. She had one friendship group for a while that enjoyed going out in Newcastle but past few years has reverted back to Durham and surrounding areas. She's doing a levels now so activities usually focus around nightlife now! I do feel comfortable she is safe in Durham plus I have find my friends on my phone 😂 happy to chat areas etc if that would be of use. Which school are you possibly working at?

Oliversmumsarmy · 22/02/2020 08:38

Personally I would choose Poole just because of the weather

Original poster
Tkamb · 22/02/2020 08:35

Thank you. My kids do ballet and swimming, but they will be happy to try new things.
I would like to move somewhere where they can be independent and it seems Durham is a good place.
Good to know there's good train connections in Poole though. I also like the fact that is close to London for a weekend, but I fear the traffic. My job and schools where we would potentially get a place are opposite In B'mouth and Poole so not sure I if a long commuting to school is a good idea!

OP posts:
okiedokieme · 22/02/2020 06:50

Durham has a different feel - it's a beautiful city set in amazing countryside so great if you're outdoorsy people plus fairly cheap, Poole is very expensive and has a large population of retired people.

Oakmaiden · 22/02/2020 06:43

Poole is very expensive. I grew up there, though, and travelling around was fine. Plenty of public transport - we used to get the train between Christchurch-Bournemouth-Poole-Hamworthy areas a lot. And access to London is very easy too. I would say the expense is the only real downside.

I don't know much about Durham.

squintsoftheworldunite · 22/02/2020 06:39

I personally would pick Durham. It’s beautiful and good connections elsewhere. Do your teens have hobbies that need taking account of in the decision?

TDL2016 · 21/02/2020 18:18

Durham is a great town and you can get the train to Newcastle city centre easily (and connect to under/overground Rail very easily), perhaps you could investigate living outside the city and commuting in?

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