Christchurch or Poole, the PH view?
Discussion
Hi SC guys and gals. I enjoyed MotorcyclesFish's Dorset thread (thanks for all the contributions to that), so just thought I'd garner a few more opinions if I may...
We're moving into the area in the summer (yay!) and it's a bit of a toss-up between Christchurch and Poole at the moment. The only thing set in stone, so far, is that our 16-year-old will be going to Brockenhurst college from September - so the shorter commute for him is pushing us toward C.
I lived around the New Forest for a few years, and loved it, but Poole looks great too...
Anyone lucky enough to have lived in both locations and can offer a perspective?
Otherwise, access to good driving roads (obviously) without spending endless hours in queues of caravans would be nice... I'm also hoping to get back into windsurfing but the two locations are pretty much a draw there... maybe C has the edge for wave sailing at Avon Beach.
Looking forward to joining a few of the South Coast meets too!
So, tell me... Christchurch or Poole - and why?
We're moving into the area in the summer (yay!) and it's a bit of a toss-up between Christchurch and Poole at the moment. The only thing set in stone, so far, is that our 16-year-old will be going to Brockenhurst college from September - so the shorter commute for him is pushing us toward C.
I lived around the New Forest for a few years, and loved it, but Poole looks great too...
Anyone lucky enough to have lived in both locations and can offer a perspective?
Otherwise, access to good driving roads (obviously) without spending endless hours in queues of caravans would be nice... I'm also hoping to get back into windsurfing but the two locations are pretty much a draw there... maybe C has the edge for wave sailing at Avon Beach.
Looking forward to joining a few of the South Coast meets too!
So, tell me... Christchurch or Poole - and why?
I live in Christchurch and work in Poole. Traffic isn't great unless you can leave before 8am which I do and its fine.
I've lived all over Bournemouth and Poole and have to say that Poole is not somewhere I'd choose to live. I moved to Christchurch just before Christmas and I really like it. There's something about the lazy atmosphere in the centre of Christchurch. There are some nice pubs and places to eat, it's 5 mins from being on the Spur road, and 10 mins from the New Forest.
Happy to provide more info, but its no contest for me mate
I've lived all over Bournemouth and Poole and have to say that Poole is not somewhere I'd choose to live. I moved to Christchurch just before Christmas and I really like it. There's something about the lazy atmosphere in the centre of Christchurch. There are some nice pubs and places to eat, it's 5 mins from being on the Spur road, and 10 mins from the New Forest.
Happy to provide more info, but its no contest for me mate
hotchilidamo said:
I live in Christchurch and work in Poole. Traffic isn't great unless you can leave before 8am which I do and its fine.
I've lived all over Bournemouth and Poole and have to say that Poole is not somewhere I'd choose to live. I moved to Christchurch just before Christmas and I really like it. There's something about the lazy atmosphere in the centre of Christchurch. There are some nice pubs and places to eat, it's 5 mins from being on the Spur road, and 10 mins from the New Forest.
Happy to provide more info, but its no contest for me mate
What he said. I've lived all over Bournemouth and Poole and have to say that Poole is not somewhere I'd choose to live. I moved to Christchurch just before Christmas and I really like it. There's something about the lazy atmosphere in the centre of Christchurch. There are some nice pubs and places to eat, it's 5 mins from being on the Spur road, and 10 mins from the New Forest.
Happy to provide more info, but its no contest for me mate
The traffic in and around Poole can be really bad at times. There are some lovely areas in Poole, but some not so nice areas too. For me, it's too busy.
I live in New Milton which is between Christchurch and Brockenhurst. If it were me, I'd be looking at Christchurch, or maybe New Milton way. It's a much nicer area. As said above, you have the New Forest on your door step, also easy access to the river and harbour for kayaking, Mudeford and Avon Beach for wind sports and it's much closer to Brockenhurst. I think your son would soon get bored of commuting from Poole to Brockenhurst!
Christchurch itself does have a very nice atmosphere, there are some really nice pubs and some lovely walks around the area. My sister is in the rowing club there, so I quite often walk up and down the river when they're racing.
)Definitely think about travelling times. I live on the west side if Poole and drive to Romsey every day. When the weather is good, especially on a Friday evening my journey time can increase by 50%. I do like the choice of beaches in the Poole area and bike night on a Tuesday and car night on a Friday both at Poole Quay are well worth a visit.
tty. Christchurch, although I'm biased.
I don't know Poole that well, but my perception is of a town of two extremes in terms of house prices/nice and bad areas etc.
The one thing about Christchurch is that it depends what sort of house you are after I suppose, as a lot of it is newer (70s-90s) housing estates, and over-expensive bungalows (particularly in God's waiting room - aka Highcliffe). Nicest bit is Friar's Cliff to Mudeford. There is more traditional 1930s houses on the west side towards Bournemouth.
I don't know Poole that well, but my perception is of a town of two extremes in terms of house prices/nice and bad areas etc.
The one thing about Christchurch is that it depends what sort of house you are after I suppose, as a lot of it is newer (70s-90s) housing estates, and over-expensive bungalows (particularly in God's waiting room - aka Highcliffe). Nicest bit is Friar's Cliff to Mudeford. There is more traditional 1930s houses on the west side towards Bournemouth.
Has to be Christchurch, the beaches (Mudeford, Hengistbury Head, Southbourne, Friars Cliff etc...) the Quay, the River Stour, The New Forest, Bournemouth Airport.
A35 to M27 connection.
It's a village atmosphere...
It's got it all for me...other than any real industry to support the working person...locally, which sadly is the reason I had to move from Christchurch and now live in Sandhurst
(Poole has nice bits but it's nice as a whole....Wimborne is dull....nice pubs, that's it
)
A35 to M27 connection.
It's a village atmosphere...
It's got it all for me...other than any real industry to support the working person...locally, which sadly is the reason I had to move from Christchurch and now live in Sandhurst
(Poole has nice bits but it's nice as a whole....Wimborne is dull....nice pubs, that's it
)
Christchurch, no question. I live in St Leonards (just outside Ringwood) but used to live in Poole. I never go to Poole these days unless i REALLY have too. I used to enjoy Dorset Way in the early hours on a Sunday but since the 50mph limit was introduced its too risky to enjoy it. The cops are all over it these days.
From Christchurch you have good access to the roads out toward the Forest. The roads are very driver friendly when quiet, but as a result you do see camera vans, fixed cameras and lots of marked and unmarked traffic cars. The roads are always busy with bikers and fun-drivers in the summer and there are regular accidents. Dont go too mad too early. Is it worth living in that area? Hell yeah! For that rare moment when you get a quiet and dry road to play on its very much worth it.
From Christchurch you have good access to the roads out toward the Forest. The roads are very driver friendly when quiet, but as a result you do see camera vans, fixed cameras and lots of marked and unmarked traffic cars. The roads are always busy with bikers and fun-drivers in the summer and there are regular accidents. Dont go too mad too early. Is it worth living in that area? Hell yeah! For that rare moment when you get a quiet and dry road to play on its very much worth it.
OP, regarding kart circuits are you talking about competitive circuits or indoor ones? Clay Pigeon is one of the former but may do concession karts (didn't back in the 80s when I raced there but I believe Club 100 visits). The other one is at Barton Stacey on the A303 east of Andover (Forest Edge Kart Club, who used to be based near Matchams in the Ringwood area). Worth a google. Both run monthly meetings. Otherwise, apart from Thruxton outdoor, there's an indoor one at Eastleigh. HTH.
Thanks for all the input chaps - very much appreciated.
We were down for another look around earlier in the week and have found a place to rent in Friars Cliff (easy walk to beach, pub and cafe). Job done!
Anyway, thanks again for the replies - look forward to meeting up at some of the SC meets from July onwards!
Cheers all, Dave
We were down for another look around earlier in the week and have found a place to rent in Friars Cliff (easy walk to beach, pub and cafe). Job done!
timbo48 said:
OP, regarding kart circuits are you talking about competitive circuits or indoor ones? Clay Pigeon is one of the former but may do concession karts (didn't back in the 80s when I raced there but I believe Club 100 visits). The other one is at Barton Stacey on the A303 east of Andover (Forest Edge Kart Club, who used to be based near Matchams in the Ringwood area). Worth a google. Both run monthly meetings. Otherwise, apart from Thruxton outdoor, there's an indoor one at Eastleigh. HTH.
Just hire karts - don't think I can convince my OH that we need another set of wheels (even if they would be small ones)... Been a bit spoilt with having Buckmore Park within reach for the past few years so really looking for an outdoor track with decent karts. Thruxton and Clay Pigeon look like the best options but both are over an hours drive... boo...Anyway, thanks again for the replies - look forward to meeting up at some of the SC meets from July onwards!
Cheers all, Dave
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