What's Bournemouth like?

[PardonTheWait]

There's a small possibility that I may be relocating to Bournemouth.

What it's like for a young couple? I'm 25, she's 23. Is it boring? We're not party animals or anything, I live in Southend and she lives in East London at the moment, but to be honest we've both grown out of clubbing.

I just want to know if it's nice, really! Also... (this is a possibility too) it may transpire that I'm working in Bournemouth and she's working in Southampton, is that pretty doable? I suppose we'd have to live nearer Southampton than Bournemouth most likely if that were the case (I can commute further than she can, she's got no license yet). If that's workable it'd make things much easier as she could get a fairly straightforward and easy transfer through work to a Southampton branch of her work.

I don't mind if it's not mega exciting there, and I already live in a seasidey town, so I don't suppose it'll be much of a culture shock, but I do get the impression the residents tend a bit more towards the elderly there, is it grannyville?

 

[Kristoph]

It's a nice place, I spent 3 years there mainly in the Winton area. Like anywhere it has it's rougher areas, but on the whole Bournemouth seemed to be a really friendly and nice place to be, a lot of students, but that's the area / environment I was living in.

It's got its fair share of bars, it's got the BIC and Pavillion for shows and concerts etc, the beach, the new artificial reef for surfing down at Boscombe, and it's relatively close to Poole which is a nice place.

As for Southampton, I think it's a half hour drive depending on traffic, my housemates boyfriend drove down fairly often.

As for it being Grannyville, far from it. The uni brings in loads of students, plus the various language schools bring in plenty of foreign students too. I'd say it was a young persons place from what I saw.

It's got its diversity too, a bit of a mix of cultures in some places. Charminster is nice for this

 

[PardonTheWait]

Well basically I've got a bike license and am imminently taking my car test, so the drive would be no problem for me. She's got no license at the moment and she will do it, but I think I've got a bit more oomph to get mine than she has. She'd be working in the middle of Southampton, so I reckon we'd have to find somewhere where she could train/bus/whatever to work, and I'd just deal with the drive. Half hour's no problem, I've commuted that sort of distance in the last few jobs I've had.

I've no idea whether we'll be going - basically I've applied for a job that looks like it could be really good for me. I've got an interview next week, and IF they want me and IF the job still seems as good as it does now and IF we can afford the move and IF we're not too scared to make such a big move, we'll go!

So that's four big ifs in a row that all have to come together so I'd say it was a fairly slim chance... Looks nice down there though, to be honest I'm all for it, had itchy feet for a while. I think she's the same but is a little scared now it's all got a bit... real.

I suppose I just want reassurance it's not a crap town full of old people

 

[DB_SamX]

Bournemouth is very nice - been many times. Southampton, where I lived for 4 years may not be as nice (or seasidey) but still great. There will be plenty of things to do. I don't think you have anything to worry about. Don't forget they are both university cities, so fair share of young residents.

I'd move closer to the beach if the apportunity arose.

 

[Fido McNasty]

Long walks around Shore road in Poole (adjascent) toward Sandbanks and back of a warm summers evening is a good memory I have from my times there. Although that was way back in the 80's, little has really changed. There's lot's of interest in the area, such as the facts behind the creation of the chines, Corfe Castle and the coast right the way along past Portland to Bridport makes alfresco days out an easy option. Poole quay in the evenings is buzzing through the warmer months too. Then there's Bluepool to discover. If you like yachts especially Poole is a great neighbour. I think you can still take a path long to the railway bridge where the harbour water races through into Hamworthy bay as a little spot to chill. Fwiw I'd say go for it. I spent a lot of time there in my younger days and it's cool.

The central parks area down toward the pier is quite pleasant. Lots of shops and coffee bars around. The New Forest is a short drive away inland. Considering Bournemouth's location it's also quite cosmopolitan too. There are a lot of retired folk in the area so just be patient sometimes when in the car

 

[Irish_Tom]

I spent 3 years in Bournemouth while at uni and I've now been in Southampton for a year.

Bournemouth's a nicer place to live, Southampton's a better place to go shopping.

Panzer

 

[PardonTheWait]

All sounds good. Sounds like if it did all come through, the job, the money, the making the big move, we wouldn't be moving somewhere crap

Cheers guys