Looking to move to West Country / Dorset - need inspiration

AFF8879

So I’m currently living in London, own my 1 bed flat worth circa £350k with £260k left on the mortgage.

I’m in my early 30s and have pretty much had my fill of London and want a quieter life, maybe start a family (still undecided) and just enjoy life a bit more.

The company I work for has a large office in Bournemouth so I could possibly transfer and retain a decent salary (which has been the main thing keeping me in London - I have had a few promotions since I joined 8 years ago and can afford to significantly overpay mortgage/ invest which becomes very hard to let go of), but that isn’t set in stone - would also consider working in Bristol if I could find something with a decent enough salary).

I have family in Westbury / Andover which would be my primary support network should I myself have kids, so would want to be within hour drive of at least one of these places as well as 45 mins max commute to either Bournemouth or Bristol. Would want a 2/3 bed semi or detached, garden with parking, ideally not on a new build estate though would potentially consider it. Max £275-£300k (to account for fact I’ll probably be earning slightly less).

As for the area, somewhere semi-rural with some nice views / green space but basic amenities nearby ie shops, gym, etc

As I don’t know much of this part of the country yet my research so far has consisted primarily of sticking pins in google maps Any ideas of good areas to consider?

jwil

Somerset would fit the bill if you wanted to work in Bristol. Lovely county and easy access to the A303 would get you to Andover too. Probably a bit cheaper than Dorset as well.

AnotherJoe

You need to decide / understand where you'll be working. Commuting into Bristol in rush hour is not something to be lightly undertaken without very careful decision as to where to live.

Bossypants

I suspect we work(ed) for the same company - I did the move in reverse because I got so bored.

When I lived there, I lived in the Pokesdown area in Bournemouth - walk to work over a nice green field, quiet residential area but everything you need nearby and some incredible cliff-top walks almost literally on your doorstep. I don't miss Bournemouth as a whole, but I sure do miss that living situation.

telemarks

AnotherJoe wrote: »

You need to decide / understand where you'll be working. Commuting into Bristol in rush hour is not something to be lightly undertaken without very careful decision as to where to live.

+1 to this.
We live in Somerset 20 miles south of Bristol (lovely rural hamlet), and at midnight can drive to central Bristol in 30 mins.


However I regularly spent 3 hours per day on the central Bristol commute, and please don't get me started on central parking/costs. Bristol is a big hub and pulls people from a large area, hence the traffic reflects this.

kirtondm

You won't find a place that is 45mins from both Bristol and Bournemouth

Westbury is about 45mins from Bristol if you use rail - A pig of a commute if using car.

Eastily find stuff within budget in the Westbury / Warminster areas.

If you want Bournemouth agree need to look at Dorset and prices higher?

Murphybear

Dorset is lovely but, as others have said, an expensive county. Bournemouth/Poole is one massive connurbation and can get really really busy. Outside this area it tends to be very rural and can take a long time to get anywhere. On the plus side (or not, depending on your point of view) there are no motorways.

If I wanted to commute to Bournemouth I might look in Dorchester, it is one of my favourite places.

I lived in mid Devon for years, not too far from the M5. We went to Bristol shopping sometimes and the traffic in and out could be an absolute nightmare. Avoid the rush hour and Saturdays in the summer at your peril.

Sibz

West country could be easy for commuting - you see, I've got a lovely combine harvester and I'll give you the key...

LilElvis

AFF8879 wrote: »

I have family in Westbury / Andover which would be my primary support network should I myself have kids, so would want to be within hour drive of at least one of these places as well as 45 mins max commute to either Bournemouth or Bristol.

If you have children then having family an hour away isn't a support network. If your child starts puking at nursery/school then they will want them to be collected ASAP - not in an hour plus. When your child is then off for the 48 hours most nurseries/schools require following sickness will your family members be free to drop everything and stay at yours to care your child for a further 2 days? You would be entitled to parental leave, but that would only be to arrange for care, not do the caring yourself - unless you have the most generous of employers. Young children are ill a lot. My MIL is an hour away, my parents one hour ten - all 3 retired and doting grandparents but far too far away to be a "support network" for my daughter. Sorry, but your home/ work/ support network triangle won't work in terms of travel time if you have children.

ciderboy2009

Unless you're ok with long commutes I would forget Bristol. Traffic here can be horrendous and regular accidents on the M4/M5/M32 can make commutes stupidly long.
If you looked at Bristol itself then your budget would need to be higher to buy a 3 bed semi in a half decent area.
Heading South-East towards Westbury is going to be even more expensive due to the Bath effect on prices.

DCFC79

Have you looked at the distance from Bournemouth to Bristol, its a 2 hour drive and it isn't on Motorways but A roads which could be a nightmare.


You say your employer has an office in Bournemouth so why not look there or as mentioned Somerset, Andover/Westbury would be near.


If it were me I wouldn't drive in Bristol if I was working there, Id prefer to live in Bristol.