Moving to Dorset

[Thomashardywasarobot]

Hello everyone,

I'm moving to Dorset in a few weeks for work and need to decide where to live. I will be working near Wimborne for upto 12 months. I am happy to take temporary accommodation and don't need to worry about schools, etc.

A few requirements I do have... I don't want to live amongst London types or others who are obsessed with money, property, and boring stuff like that. I don't want to be near yuppies, nouveau riche, Russian oligarchs, footballers, etc. I want to live amongst down to earth, West Country artisans and peasants. I want philosophers, poets, and artists. Hippies and anarchists. Failing that, just nice, sound people. I want real pubs; not horrible over priced 'gastro' dives selling "hand carved" crisps. I want easy access to the coast and beautiful countryside, where it feels as though I'm in Hardy's Wessex.

At the same time, I want to have access to evening classes (art, crafts, creative writing, etc), essential shopping facilities, and would like to have the possibility of meeting new people in my general age range (late 20s and 30s.)

I don't ever want to drive for more than 30 mins, and ideally prefer 20 mins max.

This all leads me to think Poole is out and that Bournemouth might not be suitable either, but that having it nearby would be handy. Don't know anything about Christchurch or Dorchester.

I'd be really grateful for any advice.

Many thanks
Berty

Yy - Bridport to Wimborne would not be a commute I would relish, especially if you don't actually have to do it. Probably just under an hour on a good day and often a lot longer. Winter = bad weather on the high roads and summer = tourists galore.

I don't think Parkstone would be your thing. Dorchester would give you access to loads of lovely places and a half hour, easy commute. Traffic in Poole/Bournemouth can be a nightmare.

Would you get chance to have a visit first?

I'd agree with the Dorchester recommendations. Although I prefer the quirkiness of Bridport (and live in a small village nearby), it would be a misery traveling to and from Wimborne. Dorchester is a good compromise. Well placed for weekend jaunts along the coast and plenty of amenities. I fear you may find it somewhat Londonized the new Brewery area has a number of chain restaurants and shops and, recently, a posh wine bar but there are still plenty of independent places in and around. I have yet to encounter an anarchist, but I've encountered plenty of artistic, interesting, nice people, including a number of non-nouveau riche former Londoners living in perfectly normal houses. I have also encountered a lot of octogenarians and retirees, which may not bode well for socialising with 20 and 30 somethings. And yes, I've come across a few folks whose idea of diversity is having a curry for takeaway instead of fish and chips. But I've never lived in a more stunning place. Hope you enjoy your time here.

I'm detecting some love for Dorchester. How is that A road between there and Wimborne though? I guess it would be nice to have Bridport close by when I'm not at work, based on what people are saying about it. Would need to check whether Dorchester college has suitable evening classes.

Parkstone seems the right point geographically.. Would lower Parkstone be less yuppy? My employer is considering a move near to Christchurch early summer anyway, so my intention for now is to take a three month let and then reassess my options later.

I'm looking at house shares and one bed flats. The former is more flexible so possibly more likely. I was hoping to find cheap holiday lets but can't seem to find any. Does anybody know a good resource for this? I'd prefer to live alone but am not willing to sign up to more than 3 months and won't pay any agency fees out of principle. Possibly for the first week or so I will stay at a BnB and look at longer options from there.

Haha, thanks Serendipity. Posted before I saw your comments. I will focus my research efforts on Dorchester for a little while.

I used to smoke Dorchesters when I was 18 (cos they were cheap and long) so maybe it's fate :)

Dorchester to wimbourne really isn't ideal for a daily commute if you have the choice.

Why not live in wimborne itself. It would save a lot of commuting and that extra time could be time to drive to the beach for the evening or across to a class?

Lower parkstone is far more 'posh'. Some of the best schools in the area, v.expensive and lots of people down from London.

Upper parkstone is completely different . not far is the secondary that got one of the worst results in the country one year.

I'm not sure either area is quite what you're after. The more arty types tend to be in wimborne/Wareham/villages which by definition are quieter.

I get wat you want (and we considered Bristol!) But I'm not sure you'd really get it all in one place down here.

I lived in westborne for a while which was lovely with the little cafes and close to the beach.... But I'd prefer not to cross Poole/Bournemouth in rush hour if you can help it.

I struggled a bit when we moved down. I'm Bristolian as is my neighbour and one of my best friends from school is here too. Plus one of DS's friend's parents moved down from Bath so not just Londoners. Thinking about it I've met didgeridoo and ukulele players, wood carvers, rabbit shooting allotment holders, singing teachers, face painters, artists along the way and lots of others who are lovely.

Wimborne does have a lot of pubs, an adult education centre thing, sports centre, folk festival, food festival, Walford Mill art place , Gaunt's house which has some festival thing I think.

Maybe you could start in Wimborne, see who you get to meet then take it from there if you are doing Air BnB to start with? Dorchester to Wimborne twice a day would be a PITA.

You know, Sugarplum, after all I've read and thought about this, your post is quite persuasive. Probably would be a sensible place to start and get settled in. It was probably the most obvious answer in the first place, and I know others suggested it, but maybe this is best. And it sounds alright there. The drive to colleges wouldn't be so bad, although I'd want to avoid rush hour by the sound of it.

Btw, Google seems to say that Dorchester to Wimborne would be around 30 mins. Is this unrealistic?

Thanks to all you lovely locals for the very helpful contributions. All have been of interest! :)

Broadstone is lovely. Nice village feel and its not a long commute although the gravel hill roadworks are going to be a pita you can always go via Corfe mullen.

It's expensive here though. Corfe Mullen may be cheaper. Wimborne is Really nice and has independent shops with lots of nice bits for sale. You could check gumtree for accomodation and see what's about.

Dorchester to Wimborne in 30? Well, I've not managed it! Can't see that happening, every day in rush hour.

Righto, I'll go with Wimborne or places around there. Looks as though there are some nice evening classes in Blandford too, which isn't far.

Now I just need to find somewhere to live...

I think that's sensible seeing as your office may move and you'll need to move again. Christchurch is lovely and you are on the edge of the New forest there.

It'll give you chance to have a good look round to see where you think suits you best too. I remember the nightmare of moving and not knowing the area at all. For every person who said "It's lovely there", someone else turned their nose up. The beauty of your situation is that you're renting and short term, so you can easily move if you dont like it. Good luck!

I think that's sensible. I've never done Dorchester to Wimborne in half an hour, let alone in rush hour.

Don't know what your budget is but these are for minimum of one month so not long commitment and walking distance of shops etc. There's a market just along from there at the weekends.

Dorsetdweller, totally agree with that and thanks for the comments.

Sugarplum, thanks for the info and the link. I have seen those ones but they don't come with parking. But there are other options...

You can probably do Dorchester to Wimborne in 30 minutes at around 3am...

It probably is possible, outside of rush hour. I used to be able to do Romsey to Dorchester in an hour, and Wimborne's a little over half way distance-wise, but where the roads get slower. And we could do Dorchester to Poole hospital in about half an hour, too (and then spend another half hour finding somewhere to park.) Not at rush hour, though.

Lower Parkstone is seriously bling, Upper Parkstone much less so. If you are looking that way I would opt for Alum Chine. Yes a bit more commute but you get the beach, and walking distance (along the prom) to Bournemouth Centre and (up the Chine) to Westbourne, which is lovely.

There is a lot going on in the area. A lively pub music scene, Purbeck Film Festival, Dorset Arts Fortnight and the like but you have to work a bit to find it. Not least others will have known each other since childhood, so it takes a while.

For holiday let's try a firm called Bournemouth Beaches. Most is near the sea, but not all. Out of season should be cheap, probably cheaper than a long let. However it is quite an expensive part of the UK. One option for the short term might be to negotiate a weekly rate with a small hotel or b&b.