Poundbury....anyone live there? I find it interesting...

[ThatGirlInACountrySong]

From looking on google maps and street view.

Looks a little 'Toytown' but clean, new and purpose built .

Has any one been ? Live there?

Used to live nearby (definitely not in it!). It's odd and soulless. I'm sure for new build houses, the houses are very nice. There are a few shops there that are better and easier parking than going into town. But even after all these years, it feels like a film set, just very empty, weird back streets with a random shop or cafe (I'm not sure how they survive). I think the concept is probably a good one, but the implementation is just strange. It's not to my taste, but I know people who have lived there and loved it. It's very convenient if you work in Dorchester/at the hospital, etc.

My parents have friends there and yes, odd and soulless sounds spot on!

My parents do. It’s very popular locally. Lots of 70 somethings who want to move out of the villages with poor public transport/local
amenities into town as they get older. It does have a slightly weird vibe but I quite like it.and definitely feels like more of community now than it did 10 years ago.

I live not in it but right nearby. The soulless feel is spot on, it's nice and clean but has a very odd feel to it, a bit like as if it was all made of film scenery or set pieces, it's hard to explain.
It's quite posh too, a bit like someone picked up west London and dropped it in the countryside. Full of well to do rich elderly people. It's locally known as a bit of a tongue in cheek subject

We lovingly refer to it as Trumpton

It’s quite posh but yes, a bit odd and soulless

I’ve heard it referred to as Toryville 😁

The street view maps only show it up to 2019 latest and was still being built in many places

Would love to have a wander round.... is it all still as clean and new looking? There must be some weeds/peeling paint/damp in evidence?

The shops look barely there with the farrow and ball painted shopfronts.

Good to hear views from those who live near or who have been!

Wow, what an odd place. I like that they are building in the traditional style though, at least it will age well looks wise. I can see why it would attract a certain demographic.

I just looked at Rightmove btw, and it is expensive!

I haven't been for a few years. It's very picturesque. On the occasions that I have been I don't recall seeing many people out and about.
I may have this wrong but my understanding is that if you want to change the colour of something like your front door you're only allowed certain colours.
If you look at the Dorset Echo every now and again there are articles about disgruntled Poundbury residents that sometimes get picked up by the mainstream media.

hadn't heard of it until today until I saw the news where a woman attacked her BFs ex with a stilleto shaped perfume bottle

Don't live there but visit every now and again. It feels different from everywhere else, and definitely none of the usual high street uniformity, in fact there is no High Street. I quite like it. It has a very relaxed vibe and some lovely buildings, although not all. The original idea was for people to work and live in the same town, to avoid commuting. I am not sure it has worked quite like that, but it feels unusual but pleasant, almost like being on holiday in an upmarket Cotswold town, only the homes and businesses are in rather grand buildings, not cottages..middle class but nice. There are no road markings which makes driving pleasanter and less pressured.

It looks very staged. Reminds me of the sets at universal studios in Florida (from just looking at street view)

I spent a few hours there this summer. Architecturally, it is pastiche Georgian. Not unpleasant but feels unreal - like a film set. There is a massive statue of the queen mum, which I found hideous. Many elderly people sitting having coffee; younger techie types walking their dogs.

I visited and thought it very nice.
There were shops and a mixture of housing styles and types.
It seemed a very popular place by the number of people about.

I think it is vastly preferable to most new build housing estates and some the traditional architecture is really stunning e.g this photo is of one of its squares (waitose in building on the left). It is hard to inject soul into new build but will probably develop over time.

That said I would also like to see more modern eco friendly designed developments. Most new developments seem to offer very little in terms of design.

The name reminds me of a town they made in 'the walking dead' can't for the life of me remember it's name!

Yes, saw the Stiletto perfume bottle attack which prompted me to look on maps at Poundbury again. Thought it would have updated on street view but not much of a change

I said posh before but I’ve just read a news story about two young women who had a fight in the park at Poundbury 😆

I’ve not visited but it appeals to me, I like traditional/classical type house with the convenience of a modern build and I like the thought of rules on keeping properties to a regulated standard, no cars on the street, no wheelie bins etc. quite happy if that makes it soulless! I hate seeing normal streets crowded with cars and unkempt properties, give me soulless any day!

Alexandria? Walled community of new builds?

I just googled....Woodbury!

@LadyVictoriaSponge yes I think I agree actually. No 'mess'

Didn't see any dog poo bins on my street view walk though!

It looks soulless because it has no mature trees or planting, and the buildings are all new and shiny. It's how most places would have looked when they were built 100-200 years ago, but now they have a lived in look. All those rows of Victorian and Georgian terraces that people love now would have looked soulless when they were built and before generations of people lived in them and put their own stamp on them.