Living in North Dorset

[LosingGrip]

I know there are a few on here who live in North Dorset. I'm hopefully moving that way if things go to plan. Stur Newton area.

Just wondering what its like around there? Moving there as its half way for me and my girlfriend.

Any decent takeaways, garages (I've seen DCM who i use for tyres are in Stur Newton as well which is good!). Places to avoid?

[Zetec-S]

Other than occasionally driving through I don't know Sturminster Newton that well, but it looks quite nice if that helps

The main routes in and out do seem to have an above average number of camera vans so something to be aware of. Not sure what direction(s) you'll be mainly travelling?

I've no complaints about DCM (albeit the Shaftesbury branch, not sure about SN). We've used them for servicing, tyres, brakes, etc over the past few years and they've always been pretty good. And pretty honest too - repaired a nearly new Conti which the AA said was not repairable. I also tend to sit in the reception/waiting area when they're doing (smaller) jobs, and have heard them on a couple of occasions talk themselves out of work and give a customer a cheaper alternative.

[djgritt]

Shaftesbury area here. Used to live in a village near to Sturminster Newton too for a few years.

Stur is nice and a bit of a quieter location, so you should probably consider Shaftesbury or Gillingham areas too.

I like it around here, it can be noticeably Rural between the towns though, and if you are used to any comforts such as takeaway deliveries etc then if you aren't in the bigger towns (not Stur) then things like this are non-existent (unless things have changed in the last couple of years since I moved from there anyway).

You also get Petrol stations near by! Stur has none, so you would have to travel to Shaftesbury/Gillingham/Blandford anyway for a 'decent' fuel station... That was an irritant when I was near Stur.

DCM in Shaftesbury & Blandford are decent, have used them a couple of times.

[SydneyBridge]

My parents lived in Gillingham for a few years, which was a fairly nice place

They were building lots of new houses when they lived there, but its close to the A303, good train service but a fair way to the nearest big town (Salisbury or Yeovil)

[cptsideways]

Have just left Gill after 19 years, wont be going back, plagued by traffic lights & no shortage of undesirables. The sticks are far nicer, have friends out that way, plenty of decent pubs with good food!

[LosingGrip]

Thanks! Think the biggest issue will be lack of shops etc. Currently in Poole and used to Tesco being a two minute walk away! Not a huge issue as I'll be working somewhere around there still, so can get petrol without a huge issue. Will just have to be more organized when it comes to shopping!

We've looked at Gillingham but a bit too far for me for work. Although still not 100% where im going to be working after training.

Shaftesbury as well but nothing in our price range that we like. One lovely flat but with a terrible ground rent clause.

Stur Newton isn't ideal for me (I'd like Blandford way more) but is a good compromise for us both I think.

[Johnnytheboy]

I live in Sturminster Newton

Good points:

• good community feel
• Harts of Stur
• Stur Builders Merchants
• The Bull Tavern (one of three pubs, one other is a bit meh, other about to reopen)
• well and truly outside the Annoying Tourist/incomer zone of Dorset
• The wonderful Cheese Festival (next weekend)
• generally good vfm housing
• wonderful unspoiled countryside

Bad points:

• Town is dead in the evenings
• Only a small Co op staffed by escaped mental patients mostly
• Stur Bridge lights
• takeaways are average to rubbish
• Dining opportunities limited
• no banks so limited cashpoints

Neither good nor bad, just an observation

• population of the actual town seems to be about 25% eastern European. Their womenfolk are markedly better looking than the indigenous ladies, mind. And the polish shop sells some excellent sausage.

That covers it more or less...

[WJNB]

LosingGrip said:

Thanks! Think the biggest issue will be lack of shops etc. Currently in Poole and used to Tesco being a two minute walk away! Not a huge issue as I'll be working somewhere around there still, so can get petrol without a huge issue. Will just have to be more organized when it comes to shopping!

We've looked at Gillingham but a bit too far for me for work. Although still not 100% where im going to be working after training.

Shaftesbury as well but nothing in our price range that we like. One lovely flat but with a terrible ground rent clause.

Stur Newton isn't ideal for me (I'd like Blandford way more) but is a good compromise for us both I think.

Lived the first 27 years of my life near Wimborne & miss Dorset so much it hurt until the late 1980's when I started travelling there from Sussex selling stuff. As with all the UK increased population began to make itself felt especially the Bournemouth area as it became increasingly infected by students. What was really painful to observe was the development of Sturminster Newton & especially Gillingham the latter becoming just one large horrid housing estate. As for the consequent bad tempered traffic commuting to/from Poole/Bournemouth ….
Escaping to the more northern & to a lesser degree western part of Dorset there is some semblance of what Dorset was like, the soul of Thomas Hardy still abides - just.
To address the posters question - I agree that given the restrictions distance & budget Blandford would at the moment be a good option as it was always a less prestigious location mainly because it was a military town & to some degree still is. Rather like Farnham v Aldershot to make a Surrey/Hampshire comparison. Prices might be more affordable but am not current with the housing market.
As already experienced it's too late for Shaftesbury which like Gillingham now has an increasing amount of modern estate housing purchased by many incomers from our cities & sometimes inner cities London northwards if you get my drift.
Sherborne remains an utter joy & probably the last resort to escape much that spoils our country & thus my sole choice should I wish to return to a non-seaside part of the county. Sadly not practical or sadly affordable for our OP.

[djgritt]

LosingGrip said:

Thanks! Think the biggest issue will be lack of shops etc. Currently in Poole and used to Tesco being a two minute walk away! Not a huge issue as I'll be working somewhere around there still, so can get petrol without a huge issue. Will just have to be more organized when it comes to shopping!

We've looked at Gillingham but a bit too far for me for work. Although still not 100% where im going to be working after training.

Shaftesbury as well but nothing in our price range that we like. One lovely flat but with a terrible ground rent clause.

Stur Newton isn't ideal for me (I'd like Blandford way more) but is a good compromise for us both I think.

I’ve worked in Poole for the whole time I lived in North Dorset, it’s not a bad commute atall...

Used to commute from a little west of Stur, approx 30miles/40-45mins each way.
Then used to commute from Sherborne, approx 40miles/60-70mins each way (via Piddle valley).
Now commute from Shaftesbury, approx 25miles/40-45mins each way (via Melbury Abbas).

During the school holidays this often drops by 5-10 mins, excluding Steam fair week where you can sometimes get snagged going around Blandford if the fair has any traffic issues itself.

[Saleen836]

djgritt said:

I’ve worked in Poole for the whole time I lived in North Dorset, it’s not a bad commute atall...

Used to commute from a little west of Stur, approx 30miles/40-45mins each way.
Then used to commute from Sherborne, approx 40miles/60-70mins each way (via Piddle valley).
Now commute from Shaftesbury, approx 25miles/40-45mins each way (via Melbury Abbas).

During the school holidays this often drops by 5-10 mins, excluding Steam fair week where you can sometimes get snagged going around Blandford if the fair has any traffic issues itself.

Commuting in what and is it stickered?
I'm currently commuting from Warminster to Poole and yes my Astravan is stickered

[LosingGrip]

Thanks for the replies!

We had another look at the flat recently and still love it. Just hoping I don't get messed about with work and where I end up getting posted.

I would like Blandford, but nothing really in our budget those that are need a lot of work.

[Johnnytheboy]

LosingGrip said:

Thanks for the replies!

We had another look at the flat recently and still love it. Just hoping I don't get messed about with work and where I end up getting posted.

I would like Blandford, but nothing really in our budget those that are need a lot of work.

Have you spent much time actually in Blandford?

On the plus side it has lovely architecture...

[djgritt]

Saleen836 said:

Commuting in what and is it stickered?
I'm currently commuting from Warminster to Poole and yes my Astravan is stickered

Mazda 6 or an Abarth 595.
Both will be stickered soon now that they are finally available from the shop again (already here, just need to wash panels and apply!)

Never really noticed any stickered Astravans, we must be passing through at different times...

[Saleen836]

djgritt said:

Saleen836 said:

Commuting in what and is it stickered?
I'm currently commuting from Warminster to Poole and yes my Astravan is stickered

Mazda 6 or an Abarth 595.
Both will be stickered soon now that they are finally available from the shop again (already here, just need to wash panels and apply!)

Never really noticed any stickered Astravans, we must be passing through at different times...

I hit Shaftesbury around 06.30 to Poole then around 4-4.30 on my way back home

[djgritt]

Saleen836 said:

djgritt said:

Saleen836 said:

Commuting in what and is it stickered?
I'm currently commuting from Warminster to Poole and yes my Astravan is stickered

Mazda 6 or an Abarth 595.
Both will be stickered soon now that they are finally available from the shop again (already here, just need to wash panels and apply!)

Never really noticed any stickered Astravans, we must be passing through at different times...

I hit Shaftesbury around 06.30 to Poole then around 4-4.30 on my way back home

That explains that then, I'm heading in both directions later than that.

[sparks_190e]

Johnnytheboy said:

LosingGrip said:

Thanks for the replies!

We had another look at the flat recently and still love it. Just hoping I don't get messed about with work and where I end up getting posted.

I would like Blandford, but nothing really in our budget those that are need a lot of work.

Have you spent much time actually in Blandford?

On the plus side it has lovely architecture...

We live in Blandford and love it. Have done a drive to Poole in less than 20 minutes before, usually around 25 minutes though.

[LosingGrip]

Bit of a bump!

Looking at moving towards the end of next year. We want a house this time. Budget will be £200k maybe a little more depending on a few things.

I love Stur. Its a nice place (other than a neighbour who has decided to play their music stupidly loud now...).

What places are there near by that are worth looking at?

We need to stay within 30/40 minutes drive of Gillingham (the other side near the fire station) for my other half and her drive to work.

And i'd like to be no more than a hour away from Poole if we plan to stay here long term.

Gillingham is out the question as I don't like it.

[GT03ROB]

Take a drive around the areas between Salisbury & Blandford Forum. There are a number of small villages in lovely settings that would meet your commuting requirements.

[sparks_190e]

Still say Blandford, there are more new houses going up just near the Tesco, might be of interest. Bellway homes I think.

[Prolex-UK]

Lived in Blandford from 1975 to 2000 when i moved to london.

My mum still lives there in Park rd shes 86 and loves it.

Think its now a home for people working in poole and bournemouth.

Camp is much reduced in size as is the brewery.