Living in Bournemouth

Hi everyone,

We are trying to plan our new life in Bournemouth.

Areas:
I would like to know the nice areas to live in, not too expensive (we have a budget of 800 pcm for a 2 bedroom) since we have to add the council tax on top of that if I am not mistaken.

Also did you rent through an estate agent or directly through the landlord?
If you rent through an agent can you recommend one so I can get in touch with him?

What about the agent fees?  I heard that we are the one paying for the fees and not the landlord.  How much are these fees?

School:
We are also looking for a good state primary school.  Any advice on that.


Transportation:
Do we need a car to get around Bournemouth or can we just use the public transportation?  For those who know about Miami, life without a car is just impossible.


Thank you in advance for your help.

NGA

Try the website:

www.upmystreet.com.  You can put in either a post code or a city/town name and you'll get some great information about everything.  It's a good place to start, at least.

Thank you

Try www.rightmove.co.uk for a general look at rental prices. You can choose how many bedrooms, price range and town or postcode (Bournemouth is BH). I'm not sure about local transport but there are fast trains to London.

The Boscome end is the cheapest to rent. Sandbanks at the other end is apparently the third  expensive real estate in the world. But you can sit on their beach for free 

Hi - I live in Poole.  It is right next to Bournemouth.
I love it here.

I've sent you a private message.

DH is orginally from Christchurch which is right next to Bournemouth. We absolutely love it down there!  His mum is still there.  If DH could get the same salary he does in London we would move down there in a heartbeat!  Life, to me, is a bit more peaceful.  I love that it's so close to the sea.  You'll love it down there. Buses and trains are pretty much anywhere.  I don't know the area as well as DH but I can easily make my way on the buses and trains!

christchurch is lovely. we've been down there for a short getaway--so peaceful

i envy everyone who lives in close proximity to the sea.

Just spoke to DH and he said Westbourne is a nice area in Bournemouth. There are buses and a train.  DH only really knows about schools in the christchurch area and he says that Highcliffe Comprehensive School is quite a good school. 

Boscombe used to be known for the student scene but it is cleaning up. It's not to be put down entirely. Then Bournemouth which is mid priced range and go west it tends to get more expensive.  But he says hands-down Christchurch. (might be a little bias speaking, he says)

My Fiance and I are planning to move to Dorset or any area around there(I think Dorset is the county that Bournemouth is in or they are close to each other). We've been looking at rental properties around there trying to get a feel for prices and whatnot and they don't seem that bad but no one will allow pets! It seems like every rental says no pets and no children. I'm moving over with my dog and we plan to start making babies ASAP so I don't know what to do. Is that common in rental properties?