Moving to Bournemouth/Southbourne - advice needed

[philandpaul]

Hi everybody,
I'd welcome some advice from anyone with experience of Bournemouth. We are a family of 4 living in Oxford. The kids are 2 and 3 and the eldest will go to school next September.
We are happy in Oxford but I'm probably going to be freelance with work soon and so could in theory live anywhere. We've always wanted to live by the sea but for work reasons etc it hasn't been possible.
We do have a lovely 4 bed house now with big garden, lovely pre-school and good schools around, lots of parks, Cotswolds, stuff going on. But no sea! And we all love it. I'd love to bring the kids up to be more outdoorsy and by the sea - to learn to sail etc.
We thought of Bournemouth as there's a lot going on jobwise for my husband and generally just a lot happening. It seems reasonably cosmopolitan (which I love about Oxford), has good schools, lots to do and not too far away from either set of parents (London and Exeter).
Any advice/thoughts from anyone living down there or who has made the move? Any thoughts on where to go? We thought of Southbourne as it's very close to the sea but are not wed to it. Just want somewhere nice, ideally with parks etc, with a good vibe. Everywhere seems quite expensive to be honest - not too different from Oxford.
We'd need an address before January for school applications so need to get a move on.
Many thanks all for any suggestions!

Southbourne is nice by sea . A lots of people move there for that reason .
Christchurch is a bit more posher but if you want to do boat thing then that is good. Therr is river stour there too .
Poole and over sandbank( mega rich there) way is good boat stuff and board stuff .
Lots of places right by the and being made into flat at moment .
Winton student area with some nice house as you move down the moordown musclilf troop. It depends on what sort if house you want . None these area are by the sea but you can get quick.
Charmister is where people go out in Bournemouth.
Westbourne lots of flats but near sea . And posh and expensive to go out .
Primary church schools are good . state school primary take a good LOOK some good some not so good.
Senior school again are while off for yet but keep ears open and you will get idea when your child in primary.
Traffic is quite bad thought so schools and jobs need to go the same way .
Anything I have miss ask away

We are potentially looking to move From west London to Christchurch area, looking at potentially Southbourne? But can be flexible. We have a daughter in year 1 and ideally would like beach, parks and decent coffee / eating places with a good vibe ? Any recommendations ?

Did anyone here make the move ? We are in a similar position so would love to hear from anyone that did.

Hi, did you end up moving? I’m now in the process of moving, with a child due to start high school in sept 22. Any advice would be welcome please