Bournemouths a great place to live an bring up kids. The Crime rate is low
Here is the bournemouth thread
Some people say its a bit dull and it can be, but a lot of people miss the point.
Poole has the second biggest natural harbour in the world after Sydney so move down get your self a boat and get sailing. We can get our tub to Cherbourg in 11 hours fill up the bilges with food and wine at the Big Carrefour right next to the harbour. if you go on neeps you can do more of a straight line, but with spring tides you tend to go from side to side which is no fun in the shipping lanes.
also Jurasic coast line down the road, so get out your mountain bikes ( we both have Kona's) for a hack over Old Harry Rocks and look back at Bournemouth bay and 10 miles of golden sand, no pebles, rocks, just pure sand.
Or stick the bikes on the car and head out into the New Forset lots of good treks, or walking if your a rambler.
House prices may seem cheaper, but you need to look at local wages. Bournemouth to London is almost 2hrs by train so not much commuting but some do it.
Its not what is in Bournemouth more about what is around the edges. If you can find it, its glorious. Nothing like a cool glass of wine sat on your boat with a fishing rod, stick on a chill out CD light up the huricane lamp and cook up some roast chick, with roasted med veg glug of extra virgin.
Yeah Bournemouths rubbish, Brighton is much bettter