Dorset / Dorchester relocation.

[TheGashlycrumbTinies]

We will be moving with DH's job in the very near future down to Dorchester from Cheltenham.

I am finding this a bit of a task at the moment as we will have to sell our house, find a new one, plus schools for our DDs, and then it's all the things like brownies, riding schools, etc, etc that obviously go with it.

Plus we will know nobody down there, so I'm worried about being isolated, as I don't know if Dorchester is insular, or if there are lots of new comers.

Any Dorchester / Dorset people out there that can help?

Hi, there is a local site though not much happening on it.

I live in Dorchester, am not local. There are a lot of newcomers so you won't feel alone.

Will help you with anything you want to know/show you around.

Sailorsgal, that is so good of you, I already feel better!

We have been down on a few visits to get a feel for the area and for DH to suss out the job, but I think it is because we have finally decided that, yes, we will go for it, it suddenly seems real.

We have been looking at houses for the last couple of months but it seems a bit slow at the moment, it will hopefully pick up soon. We are currently rural, but wonder if it would be better for our DDs (8 & 5) if we lived somewhere a little livelier?

Thanks again for your fantastic offer of help, I will definitely be taking you up on it. :)

Hi again,

Is there any particular area you are interested in. The schools are very good in the area but class sizes are big even in the villages.

We are in town and it has its advantages especially as I can walk to the shops if needed.

It is a lovely area though it can be a bit slow and you won't find the fab shopping you have in Cheltenham. You do get used to it.

We are looking to be within the catchment area of Thomas Hardye, and close to the hospital.

DDs are in a village school at the moment, 68 pupils in total, but I think they will both be fine within a larger class. We have had a look at a couple of Ofsted reports and they have been outstanding. It's the middle school I'm having trouble getting my head around [stupid emotion].

We are a bit spoilt in Cheltenham with the shopping, but unfortunately the boots I am in love with at the moment are only available at Westway in London.

I am also slightly nervous of starting new job, in a new environment, back to being the new girl again. I only work VVV part time but can't imagine not working IYSWIM.

Thanks again for your interest, it really does help.:)

There are two middle schools in Dorchester which are Dorchester middle school and St. Osmunds the latter is the better or so I have heared. Thomas Hardye's headmaster has just left and they haven't found a replacement yet. It will be interesting to see how it fairs. It is now not the best school but behind Budmouth College and another which name escapes me.

The primary school which feeds into St. Osmunds is Manor Park. There is also a catholic school called St. Marys which is sopposed to be very good.

I know Damers First school has an outstanding ofsted report but it is not in the nicest catchment but very close to the hospital.

Glad to be of help.

Oh, that's interesting re Thomas Hardye.

Are there only 2 middle schools? They must be huge!

We don't really know which areas, if any we should probably be avoiding, if it's something you could put some light on, we would be really thankful. I suppose we could ask the estate agents, but take it with a pinch of salt?

We ideally need to be within 10 miles of the hospital, so that gives us quite a good area to scan.

I think I may be getting a bit excited...

I was a bit shocked regarding Thomas Hardye as everyone raves about it.

Some of the village primary schools such as Broadmayne and Puddletown go to the middle school in Puddletown but then onto Thomas Hardye.

Popular villages are Charminster, Broadmayne, Stratton, Puddletown etc all within easy reach of Dorchester. Have you seen anything on rightmove that you like? You can always pm me and I can say yay or neigh

Hi sailorsgal, sorry not to have been back to you, RL has been getting in the way ! :)

We are due to come down for DH's interview next week, we are also viewing a couple of houses, one of them is in Charminster. What do you know about this village if anything?

We are planning on taking DDs to various "sweetners" to get them onside, as I think we will be moving.

I think that the headmaster has left TH, and they are without at the moment, wonder if this has anything to do with the rating?

Fingers crossed for bright weather next week, it always helps.

you will be spoilt for choice ref things to do. not sure how old they are but off the top of my head - lots of beaches - sandy or ones with fossils - studland, swanage, weymouth to name a few; monkey world, bournemouth/poole for shops; moors valley country park (though might be too far) also new forest feasible (though maybe treat for when you move as bit far - forest with wild ponies). swanage steam railway.

i can't think why anyone would want to live anywhere else - but then i'm biased - my husand and i have lived separately in loads of places in uk and hopefully i will die here in many years to come (we have longest lifespan in country i think according to one recent study)

Charminster is a great village. Excellent school and preschool, 3 pubs, good church and a variety of housing. Also you can walk into town. We relocated from London to a village near Dorchester. We love it here.

The only downsides are: rubbish shops, small supermarkets and can feel busy in summer. But upsides far outweigh the bad shopping. The countryside is beautiful, we love being near the coast, everyone has been very friendly, the schools are excellent and there is plenty to do.

Some lovely houses for sale in Charminster at the mo. Just wish I could afford them. If you are looking near the river in Charminster just check about flooding. But if you are up the hill then no need to worry.
Hope house viewing goes well.

Hubby reminded me that there is big development planned in Dorchester on site of old brewery. So that means a Pizza Express and Hobbs to look forward to. Plus there are some interesting and good independent shops in town, we are just a bit lacking on the high street chain front.

Also don't dismiss Poundbury. Handy for the hospital but it is all new builds. Probably a love it or hate it thing. Prince of Wales first school is also very good.

If you are thinking of Charminster I would check with the school that they have places for your DCs. It has been over subscribed the last few years. But obviously may have spaces due to people moving away.

Anyway, all the local schools are great. They are part of the 'DASP triangle' which has Thomas Hardyes at the top, three middle schools (Dorchester Middle, St Osmund's and Puddle Town) and lots of first schools. I think if you go to the THS you can get a map of the Hardyes catchment area (its vast). The Dasp triangle is really strong and the schools support each other. Most are 'outstanding'. But PLEASE check there are spaces at the nearest one to where you would like to live (Prince of Wales usually over subscribed as well). I know that St Osmund's intake at the mo is based on postcode, not first school. So if you bought in Charminster, but didn't get into the school (some people end up sending their kids to Piddle Valley or Winterbourne Valley) they would still get into Ossies on postcode.

The villages are variable - not many seem to have pub AND school AND shop, apart from maybe Cerne Abbas. So you live in rural bliss but have to drive everywhere!

Personally, if I could afford it, we would live in town on the Manor Park side. Lovely wide, tree lined roads and some have HUGE gardens. As the kids get older, all their activities in town and lots of their friends. Lots of people move into town from the villages as their kids get older, because of all the ferrying around.

Otherwise, maybe Broadmayne (great school, shop etc) if had choice of any village. However, prefer the west side of Dorchester as prefer western beaches to the eastern. Its all about the beaches in West Dorset!

If didn't have to consider schools then would move to Bridport!.

Oh, if you are into horses then Piddle Valley probably best bet. But not sure if too far from hospital.

Thanks you all so much for your replies!

I am actually getting quite excited now, we just have a lot to organise in 3 months.

On our visits down we have fallen in love with the area, we or more I'm just a bit worried about having to build up friendships, contacts etc, all again.

We have moved round a fair bit with DH's job, and luckilly always lived in lovely places, but this was all pre DDs, so a different prospect, I was also working full time.

Are there any MN meetups?

Just cheekily bumping this for more info.

We currently live in a small, dull village in Somerset and are thinking about moving to Dorchester.

My parents live in a village nearby and we have visited the town quite often and like the feel of it.

However, I'm sure living there will be quite different to just mooching round the shops and playing in the park.

BoiledEggandToastSoldiers- how are you getting on with your relocation? Have you found anywhere to live yet? Can you shed any light on areas that are better than others or should be avoided?

My only concern with Dorchester is that seems a little 'sedate'. DH and I are certainly not crazy party people but would like to be reassured that there are some things going on for 'younger people'. (by that I mean late 30's and early 40 )

Any thoughts would be much appreciated.

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Crikey just found this:)

We are back down to Dorchester tomorrow to visit a school for DD's and to have another look at a house we really like. We all love the area, agree it isn't very "happening" but we are happy with that, think most of our socialising will probably come via DH's job and hopefully the village pub!

Hi Boiled Eggs and Soldiers, this thread is a bit old, but I wondered if you did end up moving to Dorchester and if you did, how have you found it? I moved here a month ago and am renting at the moment and would love to know more about school reputations and best areas for when we buy. Any feedback wld be hugely appreciated, if, of course, you still are on net mums :), thanks Cath (Dorchester newbie) x