Would you live in Portland? It looks really really cheap is there a catch?

[mulranno]

Thinking of buying a holiday home ont he coast -- never been but it looks so much cheaper than any where else

It's a very close-knit community IYSWIM? DH lived there for a few years because of his job and he said it wasn't a friendly place for outsiders ie people not born and brought up on Portland. Although it could have changed over the years.

Portland Bill is nice for a walk, and see the crashing waves. Not sure I'd want to consider a holiday home there though.

There was a fab radio 4 thing about Portland a while ago, explored the stories about rabbits. I've heard there's people on Portland that think Weymouth is a long way away and for occasional trips . . -I'd choose Weymouth instead if I were you. Lovely for a nice walk around the lighthouse though!

Look at stories about Portland in The Dorset Echo news. It may tell you all you need to know.

Have you seen the wicker man?

My mum lives on Portland- but only moved there a year or so ago. It is a very close knit community (local people and local things etc ) but is nicely placed for lots of lovely beaches, costal walks etc.
I live in the south east myself so was also amazed at the prices of property there! Don't think I could live there full time - but as a holiday home I think it would be quite a good base, as there's so many places you can visit near by.
Hope that helps! If you want any Portland insider info just pm me and I can ask my mum for you

too high for me. too far to get to anywhere else that isnt Portland.

DH lived there for several years until about 5 years ago. He said it's ideal for a holiday home. He found the people friendly, but he did work on Portland and immersed himself in local life.

I just read him the comment about people from Portland thinking Weymouth is a long way and he chuckled and said 'well, yes that's true'.....

He knows Portland well, PM me the location if you want an idea of what it's like.

he just said there are two distinct communities....tophill and underhill.

Tophill is where the quarries are, and underhill is basically fishing and diving.

i would guess its cheap because no nearby job opportunities

Two prisons, one road on and off, no beaches so to speak so have to go back into Weymouth. I go there a bit because of work and it is just bleak.

Some quirky, shops and cafe's though, the national sailing academy.

I think a holiday home there would be fine- just make sure it's walkable to the beach. Young locals had an open attitude to smoking weed whilst shopping.

There is a Tesco there now.

There is a Tesco there now.

Oh...I didn't realise....that's OK then.

pullin' yer leg

My sis has just moved there from Cheshire dahling and loves it. Yes it's a bit grey and bleak but she has a sea view, can hear the waves crashing on chesil cove, has made some lovely friends, great childminder, spent half the
Summer at castle cove beach or walking the island. My BIL wants to buy a beach hut by Portland bill so he can swim with the locals. DNephew is horse riding ! They're having great fun. I think moving there before the Olympics really helped them bond with community a bit.

(it is a bit 'don't stray from the path' and yes there are 2 prisons but it's a good base to explore from I think)

Hi - have just come back from a three day break there and can't wait to go back - it is a very quirky place, weather amazing, changes all the time, the views out to Purbeck are fabulous. IF I had that view everyday I would never go anywhere else, seriously! You can get to Weymouth easily and Dorchester for hospitals etc - we thought it was a really individual place, not cutesy, or Costa-fied, which was part of its charm, very much its own character. No sandy beaches, but great coastal walks. Property very reasonable and attractive - Wakeham area lovely.

I own 2 rental properties on Portland. Excellent returns. Highly recommended.

Assume we're not talking about Portland, Oregon here.

Re Raeray’s comment above about locals - ive lived here for 12 years. I worked in the Navy and was based here many years ago.
Locals are extremely unfriendly, rude and arrogant.
Luckily lots of outsiders living here now - so it is a great place to live just ignore the locals !

Nah Isle of Portland Dorset UK