To want to move south?

[Oohlalaaaaaa]

Currently live in Central Scotland. My partner is from Dorset. We have primary school aged children with one due to start high school this year. I think we would enjoy a better quality of life down there.
I'm a bit worried my kids would be picked on and not accepted for having scottish accents or for being outsiders. Is this silly? 🤔
Also is it cruel to uproot 3 perfectly happy children, especially one at age 12 (she has strong friendships, the other 2 not so much)? Am I being selfish? I'm scared that if it goes wrong for them it will be my doing. Any advice would be appreciated.

People from Clackmannanshire have no right to slag anyone’s accent 😂Im joking … kind of 😂

Ha, my siblings and I were bullied relentlessly for our English accents and the first comment my dad got at a petrol station on the way up when we moved was a snide “Aren’t there any jobs in England?”

We’ve all moved back down south where we’re ‘normal’.

But of course, there are nasty and lovely people everywhere.

I wouldn’t move in your shoes due to education and uni fees. One of my DC is considering a Scottish uni but it’s one full of English students so she won’t feel out of place 🤣

That’s horrific!

Genuinely not like that where I live (west coast) in my experience.

Interesting view points.

Bournemouth has been Dorset since 1974, that's 50 years next year.

I haven't actually been in Bournemouth Town center other than to the BIC I'm about 8 years and I live in Poole. I go to castle point for shop shopping. The best parts of the beach are the less central ones.

The weather is the best you are going to get in England, we usually avoid systems that come and get everything milder.

There are several excellent schools, you can't really go wrong. There are also the 4 grammar schools.

Locals seem to think its the wild west crime wise but if you look at national crime stats it is remarkably low.

There's parts to avoid, I generally won't go near Boscombe/Springborne as that is the dumping ground.

I'm originally from a rough part of Birmingham, maybe my perceptions are skewed but if you've been to any rougher inner city area then BCP is far from run down.

Bloody pot holes everywhere though!

Yes you can physically reach the coast in 1 hour but it is not particularly nice eg Troon, Ayr. Further up north absolutely stunning but that wouldnt work for us. Countryside is ok from where I live but overcrowded on nice days and full of litter. Just saying what i find.
Weather is crap pretty much all year. Argue over that if you want.

I would like to be near to coast, decent train service, nice countryside but not too small-minded/villagey. Good schools.

so what sort of property do you want and how much money do you have? Think in terms of 450k for a 3 bed semi - obviously varies on the area etc. And what sort of jobs will you all be looking for? If its in retail, carehomes, public sector or tourism you are OK.

Troon and Ayr beaches are not the best - have you deliberately picked the worst ones? There are far prettier places nearby, or if you go east.

Where down south are you thinking of? Because there is obviously a far higher population density down there; therefore overcrowding is going to be far worse. And the train service here is generally good in comparison to many places.

There is over 100 miles of coast in Ayrshire and you pick the worst 3 miles ! Just be honest with your family, you hate being in Scotland. What if they want to stay, what if the children don't like the south coast ?

I grew up in a pretty market town, there was an enormous drugs and drink problem because there was nothing to do.

Hmmm Scotland has the major advantage re school fees imho and cost of living in Southern England can be very high. But yes Scotland does have a significant drug problem and is cooler than the South coast. I would think about moving to SE Scotland - much drier, sunnier, coast on your doorstep.

For example, Dundee has a growing creative industry, has record breaking sunny days and is often voted best place to live in Scotland. Don't know what your budget is but you could get a really nice 4 bed detached for less than £400k.

This new build is £340k
www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/131236547#/?channel=RES_NEW

Dorchester on the other hand 4 bed semi £375k less nice.
https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/125748020#/?channel=RES_BUY

Lots of other SE Scotland options too inc St Andrews, Edinburgh and surrounds...

If money is no issue, sure move south...

*uni fees

@colouringindoors I live in dundee and wouldn't recommend!

I would look at Wimborne, Christchurch, Dorchester , salisbury (not close to coast but a very easy and nice route) and even further east to Chichester and Eastbourne or west to Exeter

We live in bath which I like but it's expensive and it's not that close to coast either.

I like Poole and Bournemouth but do note what people on here say.

What's your budget like?

Major incident at Poole Harbour after 200-barrel fluid leak https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-dorset-65081094

Perhaps not Poole this week!

This is total rubbish I have a very English accent and the all the Scots Ive met are lovely and friendly much friendlier than any English Ive met.
OP do you know Dorset (I do)? Most English people living in Scotland that I know comment on how much quieter Scotland is compared to England, the population density is significantly less it is approx. 2/3 the size of Englands with a population on just over 5 million and nearly 4 of those live in the central belt. Life here is much quieter and more relaxed here than in England, Im writing as someone who'd never stepped a toe in to Scotland for my first 50 years. Ive lived in many parts of England and personally don't think you can beat Scottish landscape, mountains hills uplands moorlands pasture its so varied and there's water everywhere e.g. lochs, burns, river and wonderful and varied coastline. I agree the weather is a bit shit especially on the west side rain rain rain but the light, the ever changing landscape and the total peace and quiet more than compensate for this.

Why don't you consider somewhere like Moray - it has a micro-climate, so the weather is drier and warmer than other areas of Scotland and it has beautiful beaches, gorgeous countryside and there are many good pubs to have a Sunday roast in! Scotland's reputation for drugs is justified, but mainly in the inner city areas. The places I saw people openly using and selling drugs in England were 'lovely twee' towns, so be careful what you wish for.

Making the move! Can anyone advise on good state schools in the area of East Dorset, Hampshire area.

Thanks!

Was going to suggest areas like Christchurch, Chichester (West Wittering beach is lovely), Exeter the other way or even Winchester (further west into Hampshire). However a lot depends on your budget and home requirements.

Thanks. We are looking at christchurch, Highcliffe, possibly extending into the new forest. Any school recommendations would be greatly received as I am struggling to figure that piece out. Need primary and secondary. Thanks

I like Christchurch and southbourne area of B' mouth, Wimborne nice too

Both Bournemouth and Poole have single-sex Grammar schools - my children went to the Poole ones. But it was quite a while back. DH and his sister went to the Bournemouth Grammar schools - even longer ago, LOL.

If you are Catholic there is St. Peter's School which covers Bournemouth and Christchurch and takes primary and secondary. It's on the Christchurch side of Bournemouth (as are the grammar schools).

But I afraid I am not up to date enough to do recommendations.

A lot of the schools are dining on the back of a decade of no OFSTED inspections. The biggest issue is now recruitment and retention as the cost of housing for teachers just is out of reach for as it is for lots of professions. Been a lot of movement since Covid of people pushing commuting further and further so house prices have stayed high.

Ringwood or Burgate high schools maybe. Oddly enough we know of people doing the reverse and going to teach in Scotland as they can become mortgage free yet still earn more in Scottish Ed so it's a win win

South is great, and I say that as a northerner. Dorset is wonderful but also look at Sussex