Relocation help please - Dorset & Hampshire

[Kitttycatt]

We are considering a move to the Dorset/ Hampshire area from the North East. Can anyone recommend some family friendly towns/ villages? DH will be commuting to Bournemouth airport and wants to keep the drive to 30-40 mins. I’m going to consider commuting into London once or twice a week, so near a main line station would be ideal. We have two DS (2.5 and 1) so good schools is also must. Thank you.

Also I would definitely avoid grammar school angst, I've seen how this can break families. No grammars in Hampshire and schools generally good.

Ringwood or Romsey are the sensible suggestions on here IMO in terms of commuting to both Bournemouth and London, having lots of family friendly things, being smaller, and having good schools (that are not grammars). And not having awful traffic prior to a commute or being too remote.

Thanks all, great suggestions. I went to university in Southampton, so familiar with that train line. It was generally reliable (from what I can remember).

My children are pre school but I'd like to be in the next house for at least 10 years so good secondaries are important too.

Moving from 'up north' I know our budget won't stretch that far, but happy to get something that needs renovating.

Southampton itself - Upper Shirley, Highfield, or Bassett would be a good bet. Half an hour from Bournemouth Airport, and Southampton Airport and train station (an hour and 20 mins into London) are on the doorstep. You could also try Chandlers Ford and Winchester though I’m not sure your money will stretch to a 4 bedroom detached in any of those places.

Hello @Kitttycatt how are you? Did your family end up relocating to Dorset or Hampshire?
I live in Chandler's Ford, near Romsey and very close to Southampton Parkway but my partner is considering moving jobs and if he did, we may consider moving to the Christchurch/ Bournemouth area. I wonder what happened to you in the end?

Hi @Sarahsupasaint we are due to move in April but plan to rent first to make sure the area is right. I have a fully remote job so don't have to worry about the London commute which opens up other areas. Finally going down next week to look at areas.
Romsey and Christchurch are on my list!

@Kitttycatt ah how exciting! That’s a great plan. I think ours would be to spend as much time down there as possible on days off different times of day and year and move later down the line, it’s definitely in the forecast though

I used to live near Romsey, still miss it.

Christchurch is lovely!

Nothing like seeing the areas in person for a better idea

On my list:

Salisbury (south)
Downton
Fordingbridge
Ringwood
Wimborne
Christchurch
Romsey

I am looking at secondary schools but that might be too far ahead!

We currently live just ten minutes from Romsey. Chandlers ford is suburbia, if we move it would be to within 15 minute drive of his work which is near Christchurch. Keep me posted