To move to Poole or Weymouth

dcadmamagain · 09/04/2023 19:39

I would look more to Bournemouth area rather than Poole as in my opinion better schools. But check if any spaces in schools you like as a lot are full!

MrsDukeOfHastings · 09/04/2023 19:42

I moved from London to Poole and I really want to move back!
It seems all nice and seasidey but the reality of living here is different. I wouldn't recommend, but then I really do just love London.

OdeToBarney · 09/04/2023 20:06

These places are often great in the sunshine, but will you love living there as much when it's freezing cold or pissing down? Plus the traffic in the summer will just be horrific. DH grew up at the seaside and hated it for these reasons and more.

londonrach · 09/04/2023 20:09

I have friend of parents who lived in one of those mentioned for over 40 years ..be warned...bank holiday you can't leave your house and if you want to go anywhere it's only one direction as you can't drive into the sea....they been wanting to leave for thirty years now .....

ArtimisGame · 09/04/2023 20:14

I’ve grown up in Poole and now live in Bournemouth, but spent 15 years in the London area, in between growing up and now, if you get me. Poole is boring and suburban for the most part. Obviously Sandbanks is posh but only footballers and the like have houses there. There is quite a lot of light industry in Poole though. Bournemouth still has suburbs but feels more city-like. Especially around Boscombe, you’d be fooled you were in London there. It’s a bit grim though, there is a large problem with drug addiction, predatory dealers seem to target vulnerable people in the area. There are loads of boarded up shops. But there are also some nice things going on. For me, living here is purely functional and if I had the choice I would live somewhere else, perhaps one of the other places I have travelled to before on holiday. The beach really means nothing to me. It’s mainly cold water swimming if you live here all year round.

wobytide · 09/04/2023 20:18

By all means move down here but interested what attracts about Weymouth and Poole. What rationale have you settled on those two places, or what criteria are you looking for?

Teenagedream · 09/04/2023 20:29

We are also thinking of moving to Weymouth. I think it’s got a bit of everything. Town, beach, harbour. It has the same problems as a lot of towns but overall I think it’s a great place.
Dorset is a beautiful county.

MyFaceIsAnAONB · 09/04/2023 20:32

londonrach · 09/04/2023 20:09

I have friend of parents who lived in one of those mentioned for over 40 years ..be warned...bank holiday you can't leave your house and if you want to go anywhere it's only one direction as you can't drive into the sea....they been wanting to leave for thirty years now .....

Why didn’t they leave 30 years ago then??

I’d go Sidmouth op!

claracluck1978 · 09/04/2023 20:34

I live 15m from Poole and I wouldn't move nearer. The roads make it difficult during the height of summer and I can only imagine how bad it is on the Weymouth/Swanage side during the holidays

I visited central Bournemouth and Poole last weekend for the first time in about a year. It was grim. Neither have great shops, many boarded up, massive problems with both homelessness and drugs.

We don't visit the main beaches during the summer months. Sandbanks is great in winter/off season but you can be stuck in traffic for an hour and move a mile on a bad day as idiots park everywhere and anywhere

I'd suggest doing a lot more research before moving.

BananasinPyhamas · 09/04/2023 20:36

I grew up in London and have now lived for the past 20 years in Hampshire. I'm 15/20 minutes from many different beaches. It's beautiful, the traffic isn't bad in the summer, its not seasonal (everything is open all year round) it's brilliant I love it here.

BananasinPyhamas · 09/04/2023 20:38

Bournemouth is impossible for traffic, horrendously expensive and has a serious problem with what the locals call 'down and outs'. When we want to visit Bournemouth beaches I'm only 45 mins away, only just over an hour away from Weymouth too. They're nice to visit but I wouldn't live in either place. Move to Hampshire OP.

RememberingGoodTimes · 09/04/2023 20:39

We've also talked about potentially moving to Dorset in the distant future. I feel it has everything to offer.

But in reality, I think we'll likely stay where are friends and family are. I think we'd feel very isolated starting over.

Tattydh · 09/04/2023 20:40

I grew up just outside of Poole and moved away as soon as I could.
I visit now with my children every school holiday as my Mum still lives here and my children haven't seen the sea for years as there is point even trying to go to the beaches in nice weather as it is just too busy.
The town is tired and everything is geared up to tourism rather than the locals.
Parking is a nightmare anywhere vaguely touristy and stupidly expensive too.
I only stay for three nights at a time and cannot wait to get back up the M3 and go back home.

ballroompink · 09/04/2023 20:43

I don't live in Poole but have relatives there and so visit a lot. It's great in lovely weather but the traffic is a nightmare in school holidays and also it seems like there is a big wealth divide? Lots of money in certain areas but then others are very obviously quite deprived. The town centre was a bit run down last time I was there but isn't that the case with a lot of town centres these days? Dorset is lovely though; we do enjoy spending time there.

Only ever been to Weymouth once and I found it quite grim and full of odd people.

Nimblesandbimbles · 09/04/2023 20:44

I have a friend that recently moved from London to Poole. I also know the area as had friends that grew up in Dorset. Friend that moved is surprised about how deprived some parts are & that you need a car for absolutely everything. I find Poole town centre pretty grim, particularly the area near the station. Also stayed for a weekend in Bournemouth & the area we were in seemed quite rundown. It’s really not an area I am keen on tbh but that’s just me!

Nimblesandbimbles · 09/04/2023 20:45

Agree in terms of the divide between very rich and very deprived areas too.

hennythe100footbird · 09/04/2023 20:48

I have a family in Dorset who have relocated from Oxfordshire, they love it and we love to visit every chance we get. The traffic isn't all that bad unless you're going on a bank holiday weekend or first weekend of the holidays. Look at some of the slightly further out area's. The train system there is better than buses and is way quicker than driving x I rarely use my car when I'm there x

LifeIsGreatForUnicorns · 09/04/2023 20:49

We moved from west London to Poole about 23 years ago. I like living in Poole, shops are a bit pants but if I want a full on shopping day it’s 30 minutes to Southampton. it also has good links to London via train.
Weymouth is nice too but still 45 minutes by train from Poole so we never looked at that area to live as commute to London too long(did work there for 5 years and realised they don’t get the London sense of humour!)
House prices are expensive but are slightly cheaper if you go more ‘inland’
Overall, we’ve never regretted moving as our children are growing up in a much better area than if we’d stayed in London.
We have friends who live Christchurch/Mudeford areas and that is very nice too… we prefer the Purbecks so that’s why we stayed Poole side

wobytide · 09/04/2023 20:49

If people think "down and outs" are the issues down here then it's quite an eye opener. Likewise if you choose where you live then not needing a car all the time is also possible. blanket statements like Bournemouth schools over Poole or any of the other areas is a dangerous criteria to choose. Lots of Dorset would suit lots of people but it all depends what they actually want.

Rockfordpeach · 09/04/2023 20:56

I live in Christchurch which I love as you have the beaches and new forest on the doorstep. Have lived in Dorset most of my life, grew up in Swanage. I don't think I'd enjoy living in Poole, I only ever go there for the hospital but the facilities are being moved to Bournemouth now. What are you looking for in your move?

Confrontayshunme · 09/04/2023 21:05

I am in Poole, and while the high street is tired, all high streets everywhere are tired because it is a stupid business model. There is an issue with parking, but we cycle all over with our kids so never have the traffic/parking issues that plague most people. There are lots of lovely holiday clubs and things to do, plus getting to and from London or the New Forest isn't difficult. My eldest is a Sea Scout and I grew up really removed from the sea so love that she can learn to sail. It helps that DH grew up here so we have a good close knit community. There is also the Grammar School system to think about and where your kids might fit in during secondary.

Oblomov23 · 09/04/2023 21:11

The poverty is a problem. We've had a caravan nearby for the last 20 years, and have always loved it. Weymouth beach and visiting Poole, sandbanks etc is fab. We have talked about retiring there from Surrey, but I'm just not sure. There is extremes of wealth and poverty. The bus stations are filled with beggars and homeless. The trouble with many seaside towns, as also in Norfolk, Devon and Cornwall, is that they struggle to maintain themselves. Tbf the poverty in most uk places now is pretty awful.

Tallulasdancingshoes · 09/04/2023 21:16

I’d head more towards Bournemouth too. There’s more going on and more opportunities for the kids as they get older. You can also get into London easily by train. Poole is ok, but has an older vibe and the town centre isn’t great (Bournemouth’s not great either, but Castle Point is good for shopping). Weymouth is a bit down at heel (sorry) and feels more isolated as further along the coast.

BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 09/04/2023 21:19

Harrypotterfan122 · 09/04/2023 19:37

We currently live in south London and want to escape to the seaside! We’ve spent a lot of time in the Poole and Weymouth area.
DH works remotely. I am a teacher so could move job wise.

What are these areas actually like? Any recommendations? We have two primary aged kids.

Do you need to stay down south? The North East coastline is truly beautiful!

Belledan1 · 09/04/2023 21:20

Sorry to hijack. Ohh I booked to go to Poole in the summer. Went 20 years ago. Hope its OK. Plan to use as a bit of a base though to visit other places and just eat out on night. Teenage children.