New Forest living

[Saynotopineappleonpizza2021]

We are planning a move to the New Forest with our 2 DC (under 3yrs) and wondered if anyone could recommend where and also where not to live?

Very outdoorsy family so I know its an area that might not suit everyone but it will suit us. Happy to be a taxi service as teen years hit too

Oh I'm so jealous! It's my dream to live in the new forest!

I live in a small village and we have childminders, nannies, a nursery 7 minutes away and a preschool in the next village that takes from 2. School breakfast and after school club can cover from 7.30 until 6pm is needed

@loubylou1010 I am very excited

@alishylishy good to know, google is being very unhelpful! I didnt imagine no one would need childcare but it did have me confused

Would you consider Downton? It’s a nice village and has quite a good social environment (and a good co-op) though there has been some new development on one side of the village. There’s regular bus service into Salisbury so gives the teens an escape route too.

@Saynotopineappleonpizza2021

Argh with there was an edit button as that read very blunt, sorry *@covidcorvid*! Brockenhurst does seem lovely

Its almost a "is there anywhere to avoid" question to a degree as it all seems lovely

No worries, hope you find somewhere good... I'm very jealous. 😁

You could also consider places like Romsey, or Ampfield. If you look at somewhere like Wellow or Whiteparish, you would be in catchment for Salisbury’s grammar system.

House prices vary massively in the NF. You get a lot more for your money in less villagey areas like Totton, Ashurst, Marchwood, Hythe, all SO40 or SO45. Even within these areas there are big price differences. Schools are generally good too.

People will probably say to avoid Totton but I have friends there and I think it's great especially West Totton.

Thinking ahead, crème de la crème of sixth form colleges is Peter Symonds in Winchester, on a par with Hills Road, so you might want to consider being near a station. Brockenhurst, Ashurst, Totton stations all on that line.

I am familiar with the east of the New Forest.
Cadnam, Winsor, Bartley all rural but easy to get to the motorway (look on a map North/North East of Lyndhurst). Ashurst. Marchwood, Hythe, Dibden a bit larger so shops/schools walkable rather than a short drive, all nice.

Milford on Sea is lovely. Nice primary school and village centre has lots going on.

Most of the villages I know of are friendly and inclusive, and have lots going on (in normal times).
I haven’t found childcare a problem, but I guess it depends why you’re using it. We don’t use the village pre-school, as it made more sense for where we both worked to use one more on the edge of the forest, but sensibly placed for both employers. Obviously working from home means the one in the village would have been fine!

@ratonastick we are pretty flexible to be honest so i will look it up!

@thisusedtobeaniceneighbourhood will look them up thank you! Not 100% the DC will be grammer material, who knows but could be interesting!

@welcomeparty good points about trainline in future, thank you!

Milford looks amazing but nothing to buy, same as most places it seems, eugh!