A move to Dorset?

[DialMforMummy]

DH and I currently live near London in a rather expensive area. We both ended there by accident but have been here a while and are quite well established: good friends, good jobs etc....
We do not own our house and could easily (ish) move jobs.
We have been talking for a while about leaving the area to move somewhere cheaper and, after much deliberation, we decided that the Dorset area seemed great. We like Weymouth especially but would consider Swanage or Bournemouth (Poole would be lovely but seems quite expensive).
Does it sound like a good idea? Or is Dorset actually a dump despite looking great ?
We are in our mid thirties, have two DC, still babies but they will need a good primary in a couple years.
Any views/ feedback welcome.

Anyone?

You might get more replies in the property section of homes/gardens, that has lots of threads about moving to new areas. FWIW, I have a couple of different mates with families who have moved to the Bridport area and love it there. One still commutes to work in London part-time and it's a heck of a trek, but she feels it's worth it for the quality of life. It is lovely down there, certainly not a dump, but not exactly cheap and not awash with jobs I don't think.

Dorset is one of the most expensive counties and you could commute if needed to.
It's lovely there but I'm only a tourist!

Thank you Pink. I was not sure where to post.

Hello DialMforMummy

I made the move to Dorset from London 8 years ago just before our DS1 was born.

It's absolutely not a dump. The beaches, countryside and forest are genuinely wonderful. Having all that on our doorstep is something we have not yet started to take for granted. It's friendlier here, and safer, and the schools are good.

Bad points: it's not cheap - one of the worst ratios of house prices to average salary (mainly because of well-off retirees selling stupidly expensive houses in London and pushing up house prices). There are good jobs if you look for them but salaries aren't that high and you may have to commute. The thing I really notice compared to London is that it can be a bit of a cultural vacuum down here. London friends are always dipping into really cool events, interesting shops, etc and I miss that a lot. People here are lovely and warm but I have yet to meet someone I genuinely click with, whereas in London it seemed like there were loads of people on my wavelength.

Does that help at all? PLease feel free to send me a PM if you want.

Hi there. I moved to Dorset from London nearly a year ago. Agreed its a lovely lovely environment for the DC's we are always on the beach and exploring the countryside around where we live. We have had to make some big sacrifices though. I have gone on a career break so we have only got one wage coming in, its very hard a lot harder than I imagined it would be. I commutted to london for 6 months and it was really hard for me and made me feel ill. There is very little work here and was hoping to transfer with my job but due to cuts etc they are not transfering at the moment. DH is away a lot and that has its own problems. I am actively looking for something else so can have a complete change to work around DC's more. I love it here I really do but think long and hard about the move as it has lots of pros and cons. If you want to know more pm me. Its a beautiful beautiful place and we have made a few friends. The schools are good the people are not so friendly in places and think we are all groccles (holiday makers/incommers). Parking is crap in the seaside towns and there are a lot much nicer pkaces then Weymouth and Poole (sorry weymouth and poole MN but its true). So my advice is buy a cheaper house, get your kids in a school first and make sure you have a job before you move, Also have you got any help where you will ge moving ie family because if not you will have to make friends very quickly.

Thank you angelpinkcar. You gave me food for thought.

Hi, can I ask how are you finding Dorset now and what part of Dorset you live in. I moved here from London too, and am finding it difficult finding my feet, so really related to your post and wondered if there was in fact light at the end of the tunnel? thanks, Cath xx

Hi, we are in the process of planning a move to Dorset and I wondered if the people on this thread are still about or if anyone else has any advice?

We live on the christchurch/Bournemouth border with 2 young children and we love it. There is beach/river/forest on your doorstep. Good schools, shopping, restaurants etc. only 1.5 hr on train to Waterloo. Would not move for anything and consider us v lucky

Thanks Summer, sounds perfect. We are visiting this weekend and looking at some areas and houses. It's very exciting.

Hi Pufflemum and other Dorset newcomers
I am moving from London to Shaftesbury in July. My husband has a new job so we're relocating and i'm leaving my job, my friends and everything I know! I am a little nervous that i'll find it hard to adjust.
We have a two year old son. Would love to know of good places to go in/near Shaftesbury with a toddler. Would also be interested to hear from anyone else who has made the big move from London /somewhere else and how you've found it? thanks!

Summerl

Summer loving - which area would you recommend looking that are nice but not too expensive . Good schools etc. I have posted a thread under the property thread about moving to dorset would appreciate some advice my head is spinning . Thank you

Hi we are looking to move to Hampshire /Dorset area next summer. Actively looking for Houses at the moment. Like Christchurch and surrounding areas. also interested good secondary schools .
Any ideas Thks

Anyone on this thread still? We are looking to move for a better quality of life. In laws permanently living with us and we (or they) can’t afford separate living areas. It seems we can get a bit more for our money and maybe an annex? Is there anyone who has done this with secondary school aged children? Are people still happy that done the move!! I would be really grateful for any replies

I've lived here all my adult life, and I have to say it's changed so much in the last 20 years we're considering moving away when the DC leave home.
I'm sure it's lovely if you're on holiday here, but it's SO busy it's wearing us down. The roads are at breaking point, and we seldom utilise beach etc when we'd like to as it doesn't appeal to us to sit in traffic / struggle to find a parking space / spend the day with thousands of other people, maybe that's just us.
If you're considering moving permanently I'd suggest renting for a year to see how you find it, in both the winter & summer months.

We live in Bournemouth and absolutely love it, have 4dc, wouldn't want to raise them anywhere else. We have both the countryside and beaches within a short drive. It can get very busy and touristy during the summer but we love it still. I come from the North West originally, I would say I find the people not as friendly but made lots of friends at toddler groups etc x

Hi, not sure if anyone is still on this post, but we are seriously considering relocating to the Dorset area, we have 4dc between 6-16 so it’s a hard one to move the eldest who is now in sixth form and we could wait till he finishes but then the next one goes into year 11 so will never be a perfect time for us! DH will commute and I am a nurse so not a problem finding work once we are all settled. DC heavily into water sports clubs so thinking of Christchurch area. Any advice about moving down with my brood? We are going down this weekend to look at Christchurch and Dorchester, grateful for any advice

we are considering moving 3 boys 11 8 and 6 worried it will be difficult to connect with others ...from North west ..moving for work ...any suggestions /tips x

Hi, we are moving to Walkford, Christchurch area in July. DH has had enough of London life and felt that we want better for our 2 DCs one will be 11 and starting Secondary school and have chosen Arnewood, Twynham (might not get in as we are just outside the catchment area), Highcliffe (which I've heard have done very well this year), will find out in March. Daughter has a place at Thomas Garnets for Year 2 starting in September 2019. DH can get a transfer, so it all looks ok on that part. Read a few posts that some are not that friendly is a bit daunting. Born and bred in London, have a good job with great friends whom I'll miss and have my family nearby to lend a hand. I know the Admiral Hinton is not that far and could commute but the travel costs will kill me, has anyone done this or is currently commuting? From an Asian background I am worried how the locals will perceive an Indian, with tattoos and likes pubs so not your conventional person. I am working in the Education sector and know jobs are scarce, therefore a little worried about finding positions. I am currently a Curriculum Lead in IT in Further Education and it's going to be very difficult to let go of a job environment I've been in for the last 19 years. I would love to hear of others on this thread that have made that brave move, how has it been for you? Feel free to PM me, look forward to any tips and new friends a long the way x

Hello out there all you young mums... I am a grand mum, three grown up children!! I am thinking of moving to Dorset after 40 years in London. Recently visited Bridport and have had a few breaks away in Dorchester and Weymouth. Looks a beautiful county, and lovely people. Having a daughter living in Cornwall, moved there last year due to husband's job etc and missing them so much, and another daughter living in Buckinghamshire, I am thinking this is almost the 'middle ground' to equally visit both, as seeing my grandchildren is so important. I am working part time, as is my husband. We are not Londoners by birth, I am from Ireland and my husband from Scotland but London has always been home for us since our teens. Moving is scary and we are very active people.. Therefore, I was wondering if anyone can advise, or just give an opinion as to what life in Dorset, Bridport in general is like? Thank you!

I've got lots of family who have moved to the Weymouth area (mainly Preston) and they absolutely love it there and wish they'd made the move a lot sooner

Hi there! Loved your post and could really relate as we are now in a similar situation and considering the move. We currently live in Surrey, was a nice place but rapidly becoming like the part of London we escaped here from! We have 2 DC 14 & 11 so we want a better quality of life and fresh air, good schools, beaches etc. I know Highcliffe is OAP central but are more families moving in now because of schools.? I am not Miss Conventional either so am wondering abput fitting in, making friends, starting a practice there; I am a Psychthetapist. Could possibly commute but that's not the point of moving is it?

Did you do it? Did you make the jump? Let me know. Would love to chat or meet up if you did, we vould go find some pubs together! 👍😁
Does anyone have any advice for moving down? All help greatly appreciated!