The area of Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole is still in its infancy, having only been created as a single council authority in 2019 with the merger of Bournemouth and Christchurch (originally part of Hampshire) and Poole (Dorset). 

Within that council authority, the towns of Bournemouth, Christchurch, Weymouth and Poole are among the largest in Dorset and attract the greatest number of tourists, but the area as a whole is full of smaller towns and villages that are increasingly popular places to live.

If you’re thinking of moving to Bournemouth, or wondering what living in Christchurch or Poole would be like, we’ve put together some information to help you get started on finding the best areas/places to live in that whole area.
 

Is Bournemouth a nice place to live?

The south east coast of Dorset generally offers warmer winters and cooler summers than inland areas experience because of the Gulf Stream, and Bournemouth certainly has its own microclimate. Temperatures rarely drop below zero in winter, but can reach as high as 32°C in the summer, which is just about as warm as any Brit could comfortably enjoy! 

If you’re thinking of moving to Bournemouth for work or retirement, there are lots of ways you can enjoy the mild weather and beautiful surroundings in your free time.

There are several Blue Flag award-winning beaches along Bournemouth’s seven miles of sandy coast - for example, you could take the land train from Bournemouth pier to Boscombe beach for a fantastic day at the seaside. 

If you don’t fancy walking down to the beach to enjoy the weather, you could always spend some time in the beautiful riverside gardens on your lunch break; the town also has plenty of independent restaurants and cafes, and a good mixture of independent and high street shops, so you’ll never be bored!

Transport connections to London (2 hours by train) and the South are excellent, thanks to the area’s thriving tourist industry, so if you’re moving to Bournemouth you’ll be able to travel elsewhere for work or weekends away easily enough. 

The main industries in Bournemouth are services, finance and tourism, and there are two universities that are major employers in the area, so most people who move to Bournemouth do so to work there or retire there, rather than to commute to London. House prices are a lot cheaper than they are in the Capital, but higher than many areas in Dorset and Hampshire due to the demand for retirement properties. 

What about living in Christchurch?

To the east of Bournemouth is Christchurch, an historic town with a strong sense of community and a thriving town centre. Local businesses feel well supported by residents and tourists alike, and with the Dorset coastline and the New Forest National Park on its doorstep it’s arguably one of the most beautiful places to live in England. 

Christchurch harbour looks just like you’d imagine a picturesque fishing village would, and the town centre is full of interesting shops and independent places to eat. Quality of life is rated very highly by those retirees and families lucky enough to be living in Christchurch, so if you’re looking to move to the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole area, this would be a great place to settle.
 

What’s living in Poole like?

Yet another picturesque town, Poole offers easy access to the wider Dorset area including the Jurassic Coast, and its harbour is the second largest in the world (Sydney, Australia, having the largest). If you want to nip over to the Continent, you can take the ferry from Poole or get to Southampton ports via train; excellent train and bus services also make it easy to reach other nearby towns such as Weymouth, Wareham and Dorchester.

Poole is home to the head offices of several major industries including Barclays and LUSH, and there’s a good employment rate amongst those of working age. Schools are good or outstanding, and there’s plenty to do for families, workers and retirees in the town centre and down by the harbour and Poole Quay.
 

Best areas to live in Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole

The major towns in this area (Bournemouth, Christchurch, Weymouth and Poole) are ideal if you want the best of both worlds - all the amenities within easy reach coupled with easy access to the coast and countryside.

House prices in these towns are higher than elsewhere in the area, but much lower than they are in the capital, making them attractive to investors, retirees from London, and people who can work from home with occasional travel to the office in the Capital.

If you’re moving to Bournemouth, Westbourne is a lovely area - it’s a short walk from Bournemouth town centre and beach, and there’s a strong sense of a supportive, welcoming community. Other areas to check out include Boscombe Manor, Dean Park and (if you have plenty of money) Sandbanks.

If you’re thinking of living in Christchurch, Milford is a nice place to settle (a little bit further out of the town centre, so plenty of privacy from the tourists yet still with easy access to the coast and countryside), and Lymington is beautiful if a tad pricey. New Milton is more affordable in terms of housing, plus it has good train links and easy access to the New Forest.

Overall, if you’re thinking of moving to Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, you’ll find yourself living in a beautiful part of the country where the weather is usually warm and there’s relatively little rain. It’s easy to see why it’s one of the best places to live in the UK.

If you decide to move here, remember that we have two storage facilities offering self storage units in Bournemouth and one in Poole. Self storage can be very useful when moving house because you can store everything but your essentials whilst you decorate or renovate. Plus, if there’s a delay in your purchase then you can still press ahead with your sale if you pop your contents into storage for a few days. We’ll keep everything safe and secure for you until you’re ready to receive it into your new home in Dorset!