Move to Christchurch, New Milton, Shaftesbury, Sherborne OR Trowbridge

[Nuttymama83]

Hi,

I hope Mumsnet's fountain of knowledge can help us!! We are looking to move to a new area with good secondary schools, nice countryside and good amenities to raise our children. After a lot of researching and visiting places, we finally found a place that felt right and seemed to tick a lot of our boxes, which was the Christchurch/Mudeford/Highcliffe area. We absolutely love the area and it seems to have good schools, countryside and lots of activities, plus being near the beach. However, I'm not sure we could afford the house we need around there. Our budget is absolute max £450k and need 4 beds or 3 bed/office and a quiet garden is very important to us. So, considering this we have also looked at Sherborne and Shaftesbury, which both seem lovely towns but I'm not sure if they have as much going on (i.e. would the kids get bored) and are further away from the coast, but I think the houses are better value for money. And lastly, we are considering Trowbridge for what you can get for your money, so also wondering if anybody has any insight into what it's like living there, such as if it's safe, good secondary school, things to do, countryside and a nice place to bring up kids? We are quite flexible where we move to and not tied to job locations; we love the countryside but don't want to be too remote so the kids have good transport links to get around.

Ideally, we really liked how close Christchurch was near to nice beaches, so we are open to suggestions for other similar towns near nice beaches that might be more affordable? E.g. what is New Milton like and is it more affordable?

Apologies, I've realised I've written an essay, but, we would really appreciate any advice as we are visiting again in a couple of days for a week and need to make a decision then - eek.

Many many thanks in advance xx

Your £450k wouldn't go far actually in town in Sherborne. The new estate above the town (Corelli) is cheaper but isn't great. A 4 bed, in town with a couple of parking spaces is likely to be a good bit more than £450.

There is not that much for teenagers to do independently. They would need to get the bus into Yeovil for the cinema even. That said, the Gryphon has a good reputation and the town itself is safe and pleasant. It is perfect for my 11yo- who I can happily give the run of the town- but I can see the entertainment will be a bit limited by the time he is 15.

Shaftesbury has even less to do than Sherborne.

Have you looked at Dorchester? Nearer the beach, more in the way of amenities and a bit more life (but not too much 'real' life, like Weymouth..). Thomas Hardye is well thought of.

Actually, if you choose your spot carefully, Weymouth is fine. Bursting with stuff to do if you like water-based activities and you get a lot of house for your money.

@2reefsin30knots – thank you so much for your insight into Sherborne and what would be realistic for us!! I suppose I don't really mind them getting a bus to the cinema – I think we would prefer to be more near the countryside (with a couple of shops/cafes) than walking distance to a larger town with cinema. We did get the impression that Shaftesbury was quieter than Sherborne. Yes we did visit Dorchester, and although you are right, it does seem to tick more of our boxes, I just didn't get a feel for the place and I have no idea why?? We might visit it again though next week.

Living in Sherborne, do you feel you need to visit Yeovil a lot and what is that like? xx

I definitely wouldn’t live in Trowbridge! You might be able to get a large house but it’s certainly nowhere near as nice as the other places you’ve listed, pretty rough in places and miles away from the coast.

Christchurch would be my preference. Lots to do and good access to other places.

@2reefsin30knots – ah that's good to know. I have seen Weymouth is coming out a bit cheaper but have read mixed things about it. We haven't visited for ourselves so don't know much about it, except that Alan Cars's from there :)! If you think there are nice places to raise a family I will add to our list and research some more if there are specific areas to focus on/avoid – THANK YOU!

We have lived in Christchurch and New Milton and liked both. Christchurch is a little 'naicer' with the priory, quay etc.

You will struggle with your budget in parts of Christchurch/Highcliffe if you really want 4 beds. 3 beds is totally doable though. They would be my top choice out of all the places you have listed. The others will not be great for teens. In Christchurch make sure you are in the catchment for Twynham and not the Grange. Or move nearer Highcliffe and get in to Highcliffe School.

I live near Dorchester and I definitely wouldn't go to Yeovil unless it was strictly necessary. I can't see any redeeming factors, it's not an attractive town and feels very rundown to me.

My DC have been through Thomas Hardye's - outstanding school. Excellent cinemas and restaurants in town but for nightclubs etc they usually headed into Weybiza.

@YanTanTetheraPetheraPimp – haha thank you; that's helping to narrow it down then :). We did really like Bradford-on-Avon, but realistically can't afford there, so thought Trowbridge might be a halfway house where it wasn't too far from nice places to visit (train to Bath?). But the cheaper housing does make me suspicious there might be reasons why it's cheap – thank you xx

@Harridan1981 – Thank you! Would you say New Milton is more affordable than Christchurch and still accessible to all the amenities that Christchurch has to offer?

@GOODCAT @ItsSnowJokes Ah Christchurch was our favourite and would love to make it work with our budget. Thank you so much for your guidance on schools. It looks like the Grange is in between Twynham and Highcliffe, but that area could still be in the catchment for Highcliffe on the Locating website. But do you think avoid Somerford altogether?

We prob have to compromise and go for a 3 bed and I'll work in a shed :). Do you think we could get a nice garden with a 3 bed (not near any busy roads so it's quiet) in Christchurch/Highcliffe? xx

@PennineWayinSlingbacks - Haha I've just had to Google Weybiza! Good to know about the nightlife when they're a bit older – thank you! I have read good things about Thomas Hardy too! Will avoid Yeovil though – thank you xx

There is no actual need to go to Yeovil (I work there, so I do go every day) however, we go in for access to cheaper supermarkets and fuel. There is only Waitrose, Sainsbury's and a wildly overpriced petrol station in Sherborne.

Yeovil shopping area has suffered really badly in the pandemic- many empty shop units and a general down-at-heel air. Sadly, it's really not worth going there for the shops. It's a shame as I do have affection for Yeovil, and it could be lovely if it had some proper investment.

I spend quite a bit of time in Weymouth/ Portland as my DS sails and I would cheerfully live in Wyke Regis. The Preston area also looks nice. However, I'm not sure what the situation is with the secondary schools, could be a bit hit and miss.

www.redbubble.com/i/t-shirt/Weybiza-by-LemonEvil/101163205.NL9AC

😂Amazing

The Grange and Twynham School combined last September; staff teach at both schools now. The Grange previously had a poor Ofsted report. Twynham, unfortunately hasn't been a 'good' school for about 7 years now imo. Yes, you are right, The Grange is in the Somerford Estate and there has been a few issues with kids/teens and anti-social behaviour from there so it maybe best to avoid. (But then xchurch/Highcliffe have their fair share of anti-social behaviour too)

There are 'naice' parts of New Milton and not so 'naice', so do your research carefully....you'd get a 3 bed in New Milton within your budget I expect and yes, it's just a few miles into Highcliffe/Christchurch.

If you do move to the area, be prepared for massive issues with traffic...Christchurch has recently come under the auspices of BCP council and as a result they are planning a LOT of new builds in the area. The infrastructure, doctors, schools, dentists etc are all struggling already so god knows what'll happen when these new builds that will have no allocated parking are filled with new families; adding to the already horrific traffic and over-subscribed schools!

All that said, it is a 'naice' area; good luck in your search OP! Feel free to PM if you need anymore info 😊

We live a couple of towns over from Trowbridge, (or Trowvegas as it's locally known!) The shops are OK, there's a big entertainment complex there but my husband would rather cut his leg off than live there! Bradford on Avon is lovely but more expensive. If you go over the border to Somerset, Frome is like a mini Bath but also somewhere we'd never live, bit of a dump, also very expensive.

Sorry, that's not much help telling you where not to live.

New Milton had a fully functioning high street when we were there, so it terms of amenities it was fine. Access to the forest was easy. Christchurch has the quay, the quomp2, the river etc.

I didn't know Twynham had declined, I did my teacher training there about a decade ago and at that point everyone was clamouring to get into it. House prices in catchment were way up.

Highcliffe is nice too, quieter.

The Grange was always well spoken of locally in terms of value added, staff commitment etc

Do not look at Somerford. You will get something in your budget, but for a reason. Do not do it!

@2reefsin30knots Ah thank you so much - you have been super helpful. I will check Wyke Regis and Preston out :)

@Curlygirl06 haha - well you have helped narrow it down – thank you

@Harridan1981 Thank you so much! I think we will definitely look at New Milton :) xx

I live in New Milton. There are a few very nice areas and it's much cheaper than the Forest and you can get good value for money.

Also some areas I wouldn't want to live. eg Chatsworth estate, Marryat Road estate.

Barton on Sea is nice, I recommend having a look at houses there as they're much cheaper than other coastal areas like Mudeford.

New Milton has a good range of shops and a new M and S food. Also have large and small Tesco, plus Morrisons, Lidl and a new Aldi is being built. Multiple chemists etc.

It does have an issue with people hanging around the recreation ground making trouble and there are definitely more than a few troublemakers who live in the area. So choose your street carefully.

Highcliffe is smaller, bungalow-ville behind the main High Street although some simply lovely houses as well especially towards the coast and Highcliffe school is sought after.

Avoid Somerford. And the Grange school.

CHristchurch is similar to New Milton in that it has some lovely areas and some not so nice, but a good small town with a good small-feel shopping street.

Friars Cliff and Mudeford are really lovely and close to the beach but houses are priced accordingly.

Ditto Southbourne. Might be worth you having a look at Tuckton and Wick and the area towards Henigsbury Head in Bournemouth as well as they're close to coast and nice river areas and very nice in areas. Houses again priced accordingly.

I've been to Sherborne and although it's gorgeous I'd lost the Will to live by the time I'd got there after 90 minutes on the single carriageway twisty roads to get there. Not an easy drive in from the south, it may be easier from other directions.