Moving to Bournemouth

[Julie234]

Hello,
My family and I are looking at moving to Bournemouth - We love Westbourne and Alum chine and I wondered what the schools are like and life generally for a family with kids 6-10. Our girls are in primary and our son is moving to secondary this year.
Any advice and tips so welcome!
Thank you

No idea about schools, sorry, but just want to compliment you on your choice of area - I don’t live there now but did a while ago, and it’s one of my favourite areas anywhere!
You might also get more replies if you ask for this to be moved to the schools area of the board?

You will be near the sea and the Jurassic Coast! Amazing!

Bournemouth ... so so beautiful 💕

Hi, we live in this area, its beautiful, amazing and expensive!
Schools in that area are good but I'd check out places ASAP as most are oversubscribed...
Good luck!

I moved to Dorset in 1993. Bournemouth is not like it used to be. There are so many homeless people sleeping in shop doorways...

I moved to this area from London, realistically its a lot better, no complaints about schools, I've had a lot of blessings down here and I am doing much better.....however I miss the hustle and bustle of London. I'm getting used to it down here though and its really quite lovely.....good luck.

I live in Dorset, but not Bournemouth. I would recommend visiting in the summer. That's not to put you off, but I think it's a realistic way to see if you still feel the same when the tourists descend and it gets really busy. Unless you're permanently home working, I'd also think about where you need to get to for work and drive that route during rush hour. Traffic can be quite bad. And a 20 minute drive can easily take an hour, which might give you more insight on best places to live. There are also other really lovely places nearby - Christchurch, Purbeck, further down the coast in West Dorset.

The traffic is awful, such a congested place. There are lots of down and out folk around, I think because there are lots of halfway houses in the area. But I think they have the best weather in the UK and there are lots of beautiful places to visit in the area.

I wouldn't move here if I had a choice. The only thing it has going is the sea/beaches. Its hard to make friends and people come across distant. Hard to be happy in shops ect as no one else is. No how are you or are you OK. Schools are average and money talks on the South Coast. Food is rubbish and holiday makers leave a lot of litter behind.

Two of my children go to senior school in Bournemouth, although we live around 20 mins away by car (much much more in traffic). They both go to grammar schools which are good but there are plenty of other great schools nearby. If you are open to further out, Christchurch has Twynham secondary (it is oversubscribed I think) and Lymington has Priestlands... The only school that side of Bournemouth which should be avoided is The Grange. I love where I live, although you do notice the difference in tourist season 😂

Tourism keeps these places alive, provides jobs and much needed income too right ?

If you live in a tourist place like Bournmouth, you have to accept that you will be sharing it for much of the year!

One advantage is that you really get to feel the change of seasons in ways that other places don't.

The summers/holiday times are busy bustling and usually very happy. Everything is open. There are more things available than in a normal town. The downsides - litter/noise/health and other services under pressure/looooong waits on roads when trying to go anywhere.

Winters are a bit shabby and paint-peeling but also quiet and beautiful.

Where are you from op?

We live in Bournemouth and secondary schools can be an issue. Bournemouth and Poole both have grammar schools which are very competitive to get in (Poole generally needs a lower 11+ result than Bournemouth) other secondarys can be bad. Avoid The Grange, Avonbourne Boys and Girls, St Aldhems.

Good schools are Twynham, St Peters, St Edwards, Magna (Depending on how disciplined your child can be, as it is a very strict school).

We moved here from London 24 years ago now and the change in the area is stark. We are going to be looking to move in the next 6-7 years as if it carries on the decline it won't be for us anymore.

House prices are very high compared to local wages (not a problem if commuting to London and you have higher wages). I find coat of living is a lot higher than some other areas of Dorset and I don't know if it is worth it anymore.

I’m here because of work. Bloody hate the area and counting down the days until I can move home. Traffic is horrendous, it gets overrun in the summer and we don’t bother even trying to leave the house as we will spend ridiculous amounts of time stuck in the car. The town itself is tatty and run down and I just can’t see the appeal of the place.

@Tara336

I’m here because of work. Bloody hate the area and counting down the days until I can move home. Traffic is horrendous, it gets overrun in the summer and we don’t bother even trying to leave the house as we will spend ridiculous amounts of time stuck in the car. The town itself is tatty and run down and I just can’t see the appeal of the place.

Aaww noooo 😱

that's a shame.. 🌸

Thank you. We are looking at Lower Parkstone, Ashley cross area, wondered what it’s like for young families there? Any info on local schools and is there good sense of community?

That area your choice of secondary schools will probably be Poole High, St Edwards (very hard to get in there though unless a dedicated church goer), you will have Poole (boys) or Parkstone (girls) Grammar Schools or Magna Academy.

I like Ashley Cross but I don't know what the community feel is like round there. A lot of young families live round there but I don't know what the primary schools are like sorry.