RELOCATING TO HIGHCLIFFE CHRISTCHURCH FROM BEDFORDSHIRE ADVICE/HELP!

[Moon1981]

Hi, we are relocating this year to Highcliffe from Bedfordshire after years of dreaming of it we can finally achieve it.
I have 2 children one will be going into year 3 in St Mark and the other into nursery, and I guess we are after advice from anyone that has already made such a move on how well the locals accept you into the community/schools?

Also like much of the Southcoast the area is predominantly white, and I am concerned as I am from a mixed background on how well I will be welcomed. Along with finding local employment? My partner works from home and I do not need to work straight away, but would like a local part time job to keep me busy and my only concerns is how easy that will be for me?

I have never come across racism whilst visiting, and never felt out of place in high season........however out of season I have noticed I am a very very small minority.

Any tips for how to integrate the kids with the locals? clubs/groups/ in summer holidays before starting school?

Also the best area/roads to live? we are worried about moving into a road where we are the only young family and feel out of place?
We currently live in a street where we are only one of 4 families and surrounded by retired people and love it, but we are concerned that being mixed race may make us stand out more?

Any tips and insight if you have already made the move would be hugely appreciated.

Thanks in advance x

Hi @Moon1981 , have you made the leap yet? We've not made the move yet but currently researching - DH due to move with work in Feb '25. Will likely be W Christchurch/E Bournemouth, but lots of full schools found so far, not ideal! DD1 will be going into yr3 next year so at least there's opportunities with the Junior schools entry. Where we are currently her class is probably 40% non-white, and I've also noticed that in school photos etc. it does look verrry white, which does make me a bit sad that we're losing that diverse environment. I would hope you'd have nothing to worry about though! Am also wondering if we'd be surrounded by retired people..but by all accounts there's been a big influx of families down there so hopefully it's a mix.