Hi there!
We currently live in Southampton and want to move to the New Forest - we have two children aged 4 and 1 (4 year old about to start reception so it will involve an in year transfer.)
We have narrowed it down to either Sway,Hordle, or Brockenhurst (we think!)
My husband will be either working in Southampton or Bournemouth so the commute will be ok. I know the schools in the NF are mostly, if not all, great.
Where I’m coming unstuck is which place to choose!
Sway seems lovely but quiet and maybe not many young families?? Not much to do for the children? Does anyone live here and can correct me? It seemed like a bit of a ghost town today when we passed through on a beautiful Sunday afternoon!
Hordle seems like it has more going on activity-wise for families but no village centre and doesn’t seem very attractive from what we have seen? (A brewers fayre, Texaco and budgens seem to make up the centre? Again please do correct me if I’ve missed anything!
Brockenhurst - I’ve heard it’s got loads going on and vibrant not sure how true this is but I’ve spied some lovely eateries driving through and looks very pretty. I read somewhere it has lots for families? But is it very tourist and traffic heavy?
Is there a sense of community in any of these villages?
Please help me decide I’m going round the bend!
Ps have contacted all primary schools and waiting to hear back about possible in year transfer and waiting lists. I know this will be a big part of our decision but would like to know about the villages first!