A move to Christchurch

[Dalva]

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 elsewhere that some locals 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 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

I haven’t been there myself. I did have an old boss who lived in Auckland. He settled there from London — but banking as an industry in New Zealand encompasses Australia and Asia too (because as markets NZ and AUS are not generally big enough to justify standalone businesses for non-local businesses). So he has to travel a lot and even then his job doesn’t have the pay cheque, scope, or prestige of a London based role (which are usually far more complex).

Sorry didn’t mean to press send so quickly. He regretted the move a bit but felt it was right for his kids at the time. He’s Indian too (lighter skinned North Indian which is relevant) and said most of the racism he experienced was more on account of his being British than his race. However, this might have been different for a darker skinned person.

It's a lovely area, not sure what you mean by some locals are not friendly - you'll get that anywhere. However it isn't a very ethnically diverse area. Are you suggesting commuting to London for work - you'd be looking at around 2 hours each way and going in to Waterloo so you'd need to factor additional time at each end? I can't comment much on the schools, only that a friend has both their children at Highcliffe and thought it good.

I used to live in sopley! Beautiful part of the world. I left when I was a teenager but still have a soft spot for the area. St. Peters in southbourne and twynam were both good in my day. I'm afraid I don't know much about the area now... But still occasionally talk to our old neighbours so the locals are definitely friendly !

Christchurch in Dorset I presume, near Bournemouth.
A haven for retired people.
Nice to visit but I think London is the best place to live.

Hello! I grew up here. The schools are good, I went to Highcliffe but they are all decent. It's true it isn't at all ethnically diverse, and I think the UK's largest elderly population..? There's a big UKIP following and Christopher Chope is the MP, say no more. But it's near to Bournemouth and Boscombe, where there's a lot more going on/more diversity/cooler. Doctors surgeries are a nightmare (avoid Highcliffe as it's so busy, I went the The Orchid in Purewell as you could book online without a telephone consult first, but that was a while ago now). Have a look at Brockenhurst College for further ed, they are way more diverse and 'find your tribe' than any of the local sixth forms. If you're in Walkford it's often better to drive to New Milton station as trains are more frequent and faster, Hinton is stopping services only so takes an age. I think your train pass will be cheaper too as NM is in Hampshire and it goes up when you cross counties? There should be free parking on the backstreets. We did the move from London, so many people in the area have done the same, it might take a while but I'm sure you'll find your people. It's slow and sleepy, you'll need to drive everywhere, but it's great to walk to the beach and be close to the New Forest. Good luck!

Hi is it really bad for public transport if you don't drive in Christchurch then? I'm also moving to Walkford in the summer. Most people the areas great but a couple have said people are trying to move from there as its not good. I think you get that in any area though. Does anyone have any knowledge of the local SEN schools by any chance?

Hi we are thinking of moving to Christchurch or New Milton areas from London and need to think about secondary schools for our DD.Wondered if anyone can help with views on the schools in the areas, especially The Arnwood and Twynhams? Keen to know if the pastoral care is good, whether kids have fitted in ok in friendship groups, despite not being from the areas originally. Also are both areas fairly welcoming to newcomers from London? Any help/experience appreciated. Thanks.