prosto_zabrevi Posted October 4, 2009 Share Posted October 4, 2009 Greetings, I have been looking at houses on Rightmove in Bournemouth and Poole recently. I have previously concentrated on North Wiltshire but the lure of the sea and the potential need for grammar schools has caused the other half to consider the possibility of moving to my favourite county of Dorset. I lived there for a while but only really saw Blandford so I don't know much about the Coastal towns. If anyone has any knowledge about the good/bad areas of Poole and Bournemouth please could you advise so we can narrow down the list a little before booking a few viewings. (Now I have her loking in the right area of the country I am trying to steer her towards tiny little villages with old houses and no facilities...but one step at a time) Thanks in advance for any help you can give Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
STRadovaria Posted October 4, 2009 Share Posted October 4, 2009 My daughter goes to Parkstone Grammar School which is an excellent school. If you have boys then Poole Grammar school is near by. A good area near the school would be Broadstone although house prices are a bit higher than the rest of Poole (excluding Sandbanks of course). Stay away from Turlin Moor at Hamworthy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prosto_zabrevi Posted October 4, 2009 Author Share Posted October 4, 2009 Thanks for the information We have one of each type and although senior school is a few years away we are planning ahead and looking for nice areas. It seems the only other grammar schools are in Salisbury. I did notice one house that excited the wife a bit....4 bed, by the sea, big garden etc. Of course, it is in Turlin Moor, Hamworthy I will strike it from the list. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
juvenal Posted October 4, 2009 Share Posted October 4, 2009 (edited) Thanks for the information We have one of each type and although senior school is a few years away we are planning ahead and looking for nice areas. It seems the only other grammar schools are in Salisbury. I did notice one house that excited the wife a bit....4 bed, by the sea, big garden etc. Of course, it is in Turlin Moor, Hamworthy I will strike it from the list. I've been a Poole resident for the last fifteen years. Both sons went to Poole Grammar. I also occasionally guest lecture there, and at Parkstone Girls GS and Poole High School. Grammars are high achieving schools, but I'm also impressed with Poole High, which is perfectly OK. Concur with Turlin Moor comments.. You've probably already also been told to avoid Boscombe area of Bournemouth. Country areas round Poole (Upton, Lytchett, Corfe etc) are rural, nice but expensive. There is huge variety of property around here. In Oakdale area close to GS's you can get a det 4 bed around £320K or under, yet 5-10 mins away is Lilliput/Sandbanks/Canford Cliffs with similar thing at seven figures. If you can be more specific about urban or village factor, local posters (there's a few on here) may be able to give more precise info. I can certainly give you detailed info on my own patch. Edited October 4, 2009 by juvenal Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prosto_zabrevi Posted October 5, 2009 Author Share Posted October 5, 2009 Thanks for the reply Juvenal, I am a field engineer for a company nobody has heard of and as such I can live pretty much anywhere in the South-West. We have been considering Swindon, Bristol, various towns in Wiltshire...even out as far as Wales. For myself I am quite happy with a tumbledown 15th century cottage in the middle of nowhere but my wife would like to be able to walk to the shops,parks etc. It seems that the Poole area satisfies the requirements with the added bonus of good schools for the future. As we don't have to live in a particular area of a particular town our choices are quite wide. At the moment I am narrowing down the choice by discarding whole districts ( like Turlin Moor mentioned by STRadivaria and Boscombe by you). I hope to be able, in a little while, to discuss the merits of districts/streets with locals on here. I think we will have a good couple of days full of viewings over the next month or so. Regards to all Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
okaycuckoo Posted October 5, 2009 Share Posted October 5, 2009 Just one reservation - Poole itself is not a pleasant town. The odd bit here and there, but overall it's a concrete nonentity with some of the worst traffic on the south coast and a high street teeming with chavs. Bournemouth, and bits in between, much better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prosto_zabrevi Posted October 5, 2009 Author Share Posted October 5, 2009 I think a decent trip down to the area will be worthwhile....possibly with a hotel stay to please the family. My previous experience of Poole is from my driving lessons in the Army and of Bournemouth just the half-marathon so in both cases extremely limited. Thanks for all the replies Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
juvenal Posted October 5, 2009 Share Posted October 5, 2009 I think a decent trip down to the area will be worthwhile....possibly with a hotel stay to please the family. My previous experience of Poole is from my driving lessons in the Army and of Bournemouth just the half-marathon so in both cases extremely limited. Thanks for all the replies If you come down, PM me and I'll give you all tea, cakes and the inside track on Poole. Where I live I'm 10mins walk from shopping centre, hospital, doctors, library, swimming pool, middle school, high school and trains to London. I'm 10 mins drive from both grammar schools, Poole Quay, Poole Harbour, the open ocean and the boats to Cherbourg and Guernsey. I'm 15 mins drive from some of the most beautiful countryside in the UK, and the Jurassic Coast. Much of Poole isn't architecturally attractive, but it's an incredibly convenient place to live and holds some pleasant surprises. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Har Fast Posted October 6, 2009 Share Posted October 6, 2009 Am in the same boat - looking for a family house in the Bournemouth/Poole area. Have some knowledge of the area, but decent places all seem to be horrendously overpriced, even compared to previous selling prices. Some of the areas around Lower Parkstone look good, but the area does seem to have a certain "attitude"? The prices there are pretty comical/scary too - not sure whether it will be a slow grind down for them, or a sudden shock realisation and maybe quicker falls. Any thoughts? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Londongirl Posted October 6, 2009 Share Posted October 6, 2009 Hi I have lived in Poole for near on 3 years - I live south of Ashley Road. There are some great schools around here and I have many friends whose kids go to Courthill. Baden Powell and Lilliput. I dont agree that people have "attitude" that live in this area but I know that many people have a problem with the "Penn Hill crowd"! We have met and been welcomed by lots of locals who have lived here all their lives. However, I do have reservations on the people who socialise in a certain railway pub - they do appear not to want to say hello to anyone they have not known since school and certainly not if you are not wearing high heeled shoes, a spangly top and blond hair!! I also think that people on this board continually give Boscombe a bad name - go to Boscombe and Southbourne you will find that certain parts of it are stunning and some of the architecture in that area is breath taking - but I do have to say I am not sure on the schools so maybe that would be a no no. But was down there the other day having lunch and the surf was superb. That house that Har Fast posted in the Bournemouth thread has been done up since it was bought a few years ago and it has sea views and it is stunning. Not surprised its being marketed for that amount of money and I think its being marketed by Frost & Co which in my opinion and lots of others are the best agents in this area as they are professional and considered to be honest and give a quality service. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
juvenal Posted October 6, 2009 Share Posted October 6, 2009 Am in the same boat - looking for a family house in the Bournemouth/Poole area. Have some knowledge of the area, but decent places all seem to be horrendously overpriced, even compared to previous selling prices. Some of the areas around Lower Parkstone look good, but the area does seem to have a certain "attitude"? The prices there are pretty comical/scary too - not sure whether it will be a slow grind down for them, or a sudden shock realisation and maybe quicker falls. Any thoughts? It's a really confusing picture at the moment. Lower Parkstone is one of the 'better' areas, with some nice late Victorian stuff in the side streets, and couple of acceptable pubs, but it has nothing in the way of useful shops and it has the busy main B'mouth - Poole road through the middle of it. I saw a tv prog ramping it as a bit bohemian or 'edgy', on the strength of a couple of coffee joints with aluminium chairs outside. What a joke. Lower Parkstone is a kind of middle ground where those who can't afford to join the big players in Canford Cliffs or Lilliput live. Nice enough in parts, but not worth big money. The Poole area is really hard to describe, because it varies almost from street to street. I think it's essential to spend a couple of days driving round. Pricewise, I don't think anyone knows whether they are going up, down or static. The family houses that have sold on my patch just off Poole centre in the last 12 months have probably averaged a 15% drop from peak price. A three bed late Victorian semi went in Aug for £200K. The vendor had paid £228K three years ago. If I myself sold now - late vict 4 bed det - I would expect peak £275K to drop to £220Kish. But there's still no shortage of vendors and agents putting houses up at peak prices, convinces that we are going back in that direction. I only know that when they actually sell these houses, the LR figures tell me they are selling for considerably less than asking and peak. Sorry if this is a bit disjointed, but I think we need the winter to clarify the direction. I'm convinced it will be further down. I can't see a single rational factor pointing the other way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
juvenal Posted October 6, 2009 Share Posted October 6, 2009 (edited) I also think that people on this board continually give Boscombe a bad name - go to Boscombe and Southbourne you will find that certain parts of it are stunning and some of the architecture in that area is breath taking - but I do have to say I am not sure on the schools so maybe that would be a no no. But was down there the other day having lunch and the surf was superb. I agree that bits of Boscombe are undiscovered treasures, and the sea front section and pier are great and getting better. But there is an undeniable law and order problem in parts of the area. An MP getting assaulted, a recent near fatal stabbing in Roumelia Road, and the murder of a student this year don't exactly help its image. Edited October 6, 2009 by juvenal Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DZZZ Posted October 6, 2009 Share Posted October 6, 2009 If you stay close to the coast (a few 100m), Boscombe is pretty nice (and not very cheap either). Same for Southbourne. Hengstbury Head is a step up. I think there is a good catholic school, but I am an atheist with two toddlers so I wouldn't have a clue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prosto_zabrevi Posted October 8, 2009 Author Share Posted October 8, 2009 Hello once more, what does anyone think of the Northbourne area of Bournemouth? Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sybil13 Posted October 9, 2009 Share Posted October 9, 2009 Greetings, I have been looking at houses on Rightmove in Bournemouth and Poole recently. I have previously concentrated on North Wiltshire but the lure of the sea and the potential need for grammar schools has caused the other half to consider the possibility of moving to my favourite county of Dorset. I lived there for a while but only really saw Blandford so I don't know much about the Coastal towns. If anyone has any knowledge about the good/bad areas of Poole and Bournemouth please could you advise so we can narrow down the list a little before booking a few viewings. (Now I have her loking in the right area of the country I am trying to steer her towards tiny little villages with old houses and no facilities...but one step at a time) Thanks in advance for any help you can give Out of interest what would you currently be prepared to pay for a property, ie 2007 value or % drop ? What %? Would you be buying cash ? I am just really interested in what people are prepared to pay for a property and if they need a mortgage how much a lender is prepared to pay given that I keep hearing valuations are coming in 20% + under peak. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prosto_zabrevi Posted October 9, 2009 Author Share Posted October 9, 2009 Hello Sybil13, I shall try to answer as best I can. I am naturally parsimonious and want to pay as little as possible for something I like. I do, though, believe in fair value and I am quite striaght with sellers and their agents. I have been looking at houses in different areas and my own personal valuations for them encompass such factors as How closely the house matches the ideal How much would need putting right/improving What compromises and trade-offs are necessary The area, including closeness to shops, schools etc I have made some offers on houses so far, all of which have been rejected but they do constitute offers that i really think the houses have been worth to me. I would consider looking at asking prices up to 250K with a view to offering 20% less if it meets all of the requirements we have and needs only new paint. I would be paying mostly cash...from savings rather than STR I hope this helps a bit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sybil13 Posted October 9, 2009 Share Posted October 9, 2009 Hello Sybil13, I shall try to answer as best I can. I am naturally parsimonious and want to pay as little as possible for something I like. I do, though, believe in fair value and I am quite striaght with sellers and their agents. I have been looking at houses in different areas and my own personal valuations for them encompass such factors as How closely the house matches the ideal How much would need putting right/improving What compromises and trade-offs are necessary The area, including closeness to shops, schools etc I have made some offers on houses so far, all of which have been rejected but they do constitute offers that i really think the houses have been worth to me. I would consider looking at asking prices up to 250K with a view to offering 20% less if it meets all of the requirements we have and needs only new paint. I would be paying mostly cash...from savings rather than STR I hope this helps a bit I only asked because I have quite a few friends in Dorset looking to buy, been offering 25 - 30% off peak , recently 20% all offers rejected , recently agents have started to say an offer of 20% off peak is "an insult"!! Friends ALL cash buyers. Was just interested to what is actually going on as I keep reading that lenders will not lend more than 20% under peak , sometimes even less, most seem to agree that property needs to fall 30% to even start to be called "affordable" and allow lending to fall back to pre- madness (RMBS) lending. Interesting article today about the US and no takers for 30 year good fixed rate mortgages. Articles I have read this week seem to be implying that demand is dwindling, the e-poll at Times Online had something like 85% saying they expected house prices to fall further. Its to be hoped that this does start to translate into actual falls this winter. Good Luck with your house hunting. Friends also looking up to £250000, not a lot around that anyone would actually want to live in in Bournemouth / Poole at that price not if you want 3 beds and a parking space, let alone a garage. Plenty of properties , many been on for ever and ever but as for size and value for money Bournemouth / Poole is expensive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sybil13 Posted October 9, 2009 Share Posted October 9, 2009 Hello once more, what does anyone think of the Northbourne area of Bournemouth? Thanks Don't know it really, worth noting that Kinson is a BIG council estate and pretty rough whilst parts of Ensbury are nice. Don't know if you know this but its also worth looking the area up on the Environment Agency Flood map, Northbourne quite close to the River Stour , insurers use flood map for premiums. Agree re Boscombe, parts of Boscombe are just a small step down from Canford Cliffs (VERY EXPENSIVE), yet are a stones throw away from some really rough areas. Southbourne , just up the road from Boscombe is nice, but £250000 (!!) mmm.....need about £350000 unless you are going to squeeze in a 2 bed terrace or a 3 bed in Pokesdown (awful). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prosto_zabrevi Posted November 8, 2009 Author Share Posted November 8, 2009 Hello, I saw this house on rightmove and it is typical of the house I am looking for, albeit priced 50k above the street record http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-27612464.html It is in Kenyon Road, Oakdale. It backs onto the Dorset Way road. Does anyone have insider knowledge of this corner of Oakdale? Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
juvenal Posted November 9, 2009 Share Posted November 9, 2009 (edited) Hello, I saw this house on rightmove and it is typical of the house I am looking for, albeit priced 50k above the street record http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-27612464.html It is in Kenyon Road, Oakdale. It backs onto the Dorset Way road. Does anyone have insider knowledge of this corner of Oakdale? Thanks Had a look at this one this morning. It's almost certainly ex-Local Authority, in an unattractive road of around 50 almost identical semi's. Most appear privately owned, but the road has a slightly run down air. While the majority of housing is tidy, there's the occasional peeling boat, or a banger on blocks in the garden. A real drawback to the house in question is a public footpath alongside the RH boundary. What looks like a wall on the extreme edge of the photo is a line of posts, very artfully photographed, and excluding the footpath. Anyone viewing this on the strength of the Rightmove photo will feel disappointed. Overall, this is rather down-market territory. The proximity to Dorset Way isn't really a minus factor. If anything, the road links close at hand are very usable. Although all conveniences like shops, schools etc are within ten minutes, I think you can find a better gaff in this area in this price bracket. It's the 'four bedrooms' that have given the EA the gall to go above street record prices. £230K should buy you a 3 bed detached in a tidy road of established privately-owned houses, close to everything, around here. The last 4 houses (all in good order) to sell near me (off Wimborne Road, Poole) in 2009 (similar location to italic description above)were as follows: 3bd late Victorian semi. £200K sold. Last sold at £220K in 2006 3bd detached sold at £220K.Last sold 2004 at £236K 3bd detached, recently extended sold at £235K. Last sold £224K in 2004 3 bed detached sold at 205K. Last sold prior to year 2000 Everything I've seen sold this year (very little) has gone 6-20 percent below asking depending on realism of asking price. Let me know if I can be useful. Edited November 9, 2009 by juvenal Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prosto_zabrevi Posted November 9, 2009 Author Share Posted November 9, 2009 Thanks Juvenal, it saves a bit of a wasted trip. I think I will have to wait for the New Year for a house-buying trip in Poole. I have a lot of work coming up and I have a couple of trips planned for Swindon. That is the kind of house I am looking for though, 3-4 bedrooms with a bit of garden. If you have any particular recommendations I would be interested to hear them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hungry_Joe Posted December 20, 2009 Share Posted December 20, 2009 Hello once more, what does anyone think of the Northbourne area of Bournemouth? Thanks I lived in Northbourne for most of the noughties (Ensbury Park ). Flooding was never an issue as I lived on a hill (most of Northbourne is well away from the Stour and way above flood-risk). There are some nice leafy avenues (Leybourne Avenue, Saxonhurst Road etc) and to my eye, they were on the up, with much home improvement going on. I think the location is pretty good as a compromise for getting to: the coast, Ferndown/Wimborne, Christchurch, Poole (ie it is fairly central to the Poole/Bournemouth conurbation). I'm currently looking to move back to the Christchurch area. I'd certainly get more for my money if I went back to Northbourne. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grey shark Posted December 21, 2009 Share Posted December 21, 2009 (edited) Greetings, I have been looking at houses on Rightmove in Bournemouth and Poole recently. I have previously concentrated on North Wiltshire but the lure of the sea and the potential need for grammar schools has caused the other half to consider the possibility of moving to my favourite county of Dorset. I lived there for a while but only really saw Blandford so I don't know much about the Coastal towns. If anyone has any knowledge about the good/bad areas of Poole and Bournemouth please could you advise so we can narrow down the list a little before booking a few viewings. (Now I have her loking in the right area of the country I am trying to steer her towards tiny little villages with old houses and no facilities...but one step at a time) Thanks in advance for any help you can give Have a look at Wimborne and Ferndown these are towns in their own right with good schools , shops , leisure centre etc. but right on the doorstep of Bournemouth , we live in Ferndown and it's nice not to be part of the Bournemouth/Poole spread yet the coast is only 15 minutes drive away . Edited December 21, 2009 by grey shark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
juvenal Posted December 21, 2009 Share Posted December 21, 2009 Have a look at Wimborne and Ferndown these are towns in their own right with good schools , shops , leisure centre etc. but right on the doorstep of Bournemouth , we live in Ferndown and it's nice not to be part of the Bournemouth/Poole spread yet the coast is only 15 minutes drive away . Wimborne is well worth a look, plenty of older properties, a great weekly market and a beautiful river. Close to Poole, B'mouth and seaside! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hollys master Posted December 28, 2009 Share Posted December 28, 2009 (edited) hi juvenal, been reading your posts in various threads and appreciate your input. the little villages to the north of bournemouth/ poole along the A31 corridor such as wimborne, ferndown etc seem appealing to me too. could you perhaps select a couple of "star" picks off rightmove and reasons why they are better than the rest, ie quiet road, short distance to river walks, lovely views, extra big garden etc. I have a budget of £250k so perhaps looking at asking prices up to £300k? schools not relevant as no kids many thanks if you or anyone else with local knowledge could help Edited December 28, 2009 by pmcx9 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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