RELOCATING TO HIGHCLIFFE FROM BEDFORDSHIRE HELP/ADVICE

[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

We are planning a similar move and are wondering as well about the best roads, etc. Our kids are 3 and 7 and we've managed to get some reassuring news about schools for our 7 year old which is that whenever we move we are able to make application for our son without having to coincide with the school year. We thought we would need to line everything up to ensure our son gets in to a school for the start of the new year but this only seems true if your child is starting in Reception. If they're in Year 2 like our son then it seems we can move at any time when things are ready. This is a relief. Highcliffe though is sort of on the border between Dorset and Hampshire and it therefore seems to be that you would have to apply to both Dorset council as well as Hants council if you're looking at schools across the border. New Milton seems to be the next closest school but that is in Hampshire.

We've also been looking at places around Christchurch and there seem to be a few good options but all depends on budget. Previously we looked at Broadstone/Wimborne area which were highly recommended to us by people we've spoken to.

I don't know about racism or which streets are best to be in but sometimes driving around an area and speaking to the locals may help. Perhaps the schools could also provide some info? We are South African although our children are British born and we have had the odd "discrimination" and found it hard to infiltrate certain cliques or be accepted in to certain groups especially school groups. I suppose this is a common thing with people who share the same values/cultures/etc and happens all over the world.

Anyway, good luck with your move. I hope you're able to find out some useful information and settle in well.