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Original poster

Where to rent and where to avoid in Bournemouth(19 year old living alone)

29 replies

SummerRaspberries65677 · 09/02/2023 19:46

He will be working.

OP posts:
CandleInTheStorm · 09/02/2023 19:54

Is this for Uni? Working? Permanent move?

Original poster
SummerRaspberries65677 · 09/02/2023 20:35

Apprenticeship

OP posts:
illiterato · 09/02/2023 20:44

IMO there is nowhere in Bournemouth that is so bad that it’s massively unsafe. There are obviously leafier areas but the whole town is basically fine. Can he drive as if not, a more important thing is bus routes/ being near the station etc. and not being too far from work as the town is a bit of a sprawl and traffic can be a bit shit. There are also millions of students so might be possible to get a share.

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IwishIwasSupermum · 09/02/2023 20:46

I would definitely avoid Boscombe, Springbourne, West/East Howe, Townsend. Does he need to be on a bus route? Maybe if we knew area of apprenticeship it would help.

Original poster
SummerRaspberries65677 · 09/02/2023 20:51

Near the stadium

OP posts:
CandleInTheStorm · 09/02/2023 20:54

Bournemouth or BCP varies quite a bit. Students: Winton/Lansdown/Town centre mostly. Families it's vast: anywhere from Kinson through to Southbourne, Christchurch and all around. Retired could be Southbourne through to Highcliffe . A single guy could live anywhere and feel safe, it just depends what they are doing to work out the logistics.

DialsMavis · 09/02/2023 20:56

The stadium is in one of the roughest bits unfortunately. But obviously rough is relative. A lot of Boscombe and Springbourne isnt great but I happily lived there when younger. If he doesnt like it there and doesnt mind being further from the beach Charminster is walkable from the stadium.

Potatomashed · 09/02/2023 20:57

If he needs to be near the stadium then the side of boscombe toward the sea or southbourne would be great. Or more central

CandleInTheStorm · 09/02/2023 21:07

He could stay at pokesdown/Boscombe east/Iford as it's an easy walk/cycle across Kings Park to the stadium and on a bus route to Springbourne, he'd get off along Ashley Road to get to the stadium.

CandleInTheStorm · 09/02/2023 21:09

My dm lived down one of the roads near the stadium and it was fine and not rough at all. Only got manic parking wise on match days. I'd happily walk around their at night.

Original poster
SummerRaspberries65677 · 09/02/2023 21:15

Would rather he lived somewhere nice and safe and had a longer commute.Where is nice but friendly for a youngster living on their own? Are there any LGBT friendly areas?

OP posts:
CandleInTheStorm · 09/02/2023 21:20

SummerRaspberries65677 · 09/02/2023 21:15

Would rather he lived somewhere nice and safe and had a longer commute.Where is nice but friendly for a youngster living on their own? Are there any LGBT friendly areas?

Southbourne is lovely and near the sea. Has nice restaurants/cafes and a friendly community vibe. I wouldn't say there was anywhere specific to live LGBT per se, but Bournemouth is quite cosmopolitan in general, and that vibe at night is mainly the town centre, specifically the triangle. But residents don't tend to live in that area, but they might go for a night out.

everlovelyjewel · 09/02/2023 21:24

DOES he drive? this is like pulling teeth

Original poster
SummerRaspberries65677 · 09/02/2023 21:25

No doesn’t drive

OP posts:
Original poster
SummerRaspberries65677 · 10/02/2023 06:34

Is there a good bus service?

OP posts:
BarbaraofSeville · 10/02/2023 07:01

Is this your preference and definition of 'nice and safe' or his?

What does his budget allow?

Most of MN seems remarkably picky about where they live so write off perfectly nice places as 'shitholes'.

If I was a 19 YO on an apprentice wage, I'd want to live somewhere that didn't take an age to get to work (preferably within walking or cycling distance if possible) and left me sufficient disposable income to be able to enjoy socialising, hobbies etc.

I wouldn't want to be trekking across town every day and spending all my money on higher rent and commuting so my DM could reassure herself that I lived somewhere she considered to be sufficiently desirable.

illiterato · 10/02/2023 08:06

SummerRaspberries65677 · 10/02/2023 06:34

Is there a good bus service?

Buses are ok. Better than it might be for a town of its size by virtue of being a student town but you still need to check routes because some journeys will include multiple changes or going via the bus station which is just a PITA. Cycling is pretty easy as the place is quite flat.

Does he have to live on his own? Would he prefer to share with others, potentially students? Winton is a big student area and fairly close to the stadium (could cycle). Might make it easier to make friends and meet people.

Personally I think Boscombe is mainly fine now, especially as you go towards Southbourne. It's had a bit of a renaissance. They've spruced up the seafront area. I'd agree East and West Howe and Kinson are probably out because there's just not much there and too far. Southbourne is a bit boring- bungalow city, albeit a pleasant bungalow city - I am a bit biased though as everyone's gran lived there so it gives me that impression of it.

AnotherCountryMummy · 10/02/2023 08:10

I lived in Bournemouth Town Centre for Uni and loved. Did feel unsafe for even a moment in 3 years. Westcliff/Central is very nice. I would avoid Boscombe. Winton and Charminster are student populated. Good bus services. I hope he enjoys it!

AnotherCountryMummy · 10/02/2023 08:10

AnotherCountryMummy · 10/02/2023 08:10

I lived in Bournemouth Town Centre for Uni and loved. Did feel unsafe for even a moment in 3 years. Westcliff/Central is very nice. I would avoid Boscombe. Winton and Charminster are student populated. Good bus services. I hope he enjoys it!

Didn't feel unsafe*

Damn I wish one could edit posts!

illiterato · 10/02/2023 08:11

Most of MN seems remarkably picky about where they live so write off perfectly nice places as 'shitholes'.

Yeah, I think in Bournemouth terms, a "bad" area is not that bad in the scheme of things. People mean washing machines in front gardens and teens on scramble bikes being a PITA rather than gang warfare and daily stabbings. The poorer areas are just rundown and a bit depressing/ not much there rather than dangerous.

Original poster
SummerRaspberries65677 · 10/02/2023 10:53

Actually it looks nearer to the hospital.

OP posts:
illiterato · 10/02/2023 21:06

Hospital/ stadium are roughly the same area so previous advice still stands.

jacult · 10/02/2023 21:10

I’d stay near the town centre. It’s like any south coast town, nice and not so nice bits. He wants to be able to enjoy his evenings and not rely on taxis etc when seeing friends. As long as he’s a short walk from all the main nightlife it will make it so much cheaper for him and allow him to have a good social life. Also easy commute to work.

CandleInTheStorm · 10/02/2023 21:18

illiterato · 10/02/2023 08:06

Buses are ok. Better than it might be for a town of its size by virtue of being a student town but you still need to check routes because some journeys will include multiple changes or going via the bus station which is just a PITA. Cycling is pretty easy as the place is quite flat.

Does he have to live on his own? Would he prefer to share with others, potentially students? Winton is a big student area and fairly close to the stadium (could cycle). Might make it easier to make friends and meet people.

Personally I think Boscombe is mainly fine now, especially as you go towards Southbourne. It's had a bit of a renaissance. They've spruced up the seafront area. I'd agree East and West Howe and Kinson are probably out because there's just not much there and too far. Southbourne is a bit boring- bungalow city, albeit a pleasant bungalow city - I am a bit biased though as everyone's gran lived there so it gives me that impression of it.

Show quote history

I had to smile to myself because Bournemouth isn't flat 😆 It can be a right pain with some of the hills to navigate on a bike 🥴😁

The easiest cycle is along the seafront where you can cycle from hengistbury head right through to sandbanks!

illiterato · 10/02/2023 21:19

CandleInTheStorm · 10/02/2023 21:18

I had to smile to myself because Bournemouth isn't flat 😆 It can be a right pain with some of the hills to navigate on a bike 🥴😁

The easiest cycle is along the seafront where you can cycle from hengistbury head right through to sandbanks!

Show quote history

That’s my favourite cycle! Although sometimes I try it and they haven’t shoved the sand back on the beach and then it’s “FML”. BCP is quite flat though, no? Or am I delusional?