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A lot of people wonder, what is it like to live in Bournemouth? You might’ve seen images of our award-winning beaches, you might’ve been here for a visit, maybe even pictured yourself living here. There are many reasons people enjoy living in Bournemouth, here are some that might appeal to you.
Due to the rare microclimate, living in Bournemouth means you can experience more sunshine hours, warmer seas and generally experience a greater standard of living compared to other places in the UK. We also have excellent health support in the area.
Besides our award-winning beaches, we are also known for our exciting city centre. With award winning restaurants, great entertainment and superb shopping, it’s a popular place to live. Our financial industry is well renown and our fast-growing tech businesses aren’t far behind them. Our two state of the art Universities attract people from all over the world and with great rail links to London holiday makers, business clients and students will be guaranteed a warm welcome when they visit Bournemouth.
When moving to a new place it’s important to familiarise yourself. Luckily, living on the south coast makes things a little easier, since everything is located in relation to that! To the West sits the harbour town of Poole with links to wider Dorset, including the stunning World Heritage Jurassic Coast. To the East and on the border of the New Forest National Park is the historic town of Christchurch. Once you familiarise yourself with the best spots on our 15 miles of coastline, you’ll easily get your bearings. You can always check out our beach pages to dig deeper into the various chines and best beach spots!
Bournemouth town centre contains many great things to see and do and is easily explored on foot. From the popular seafront and pier approach, the town stretches back through gorgeous riverside gardens and is banked on either side by restaurants, cafés, shopping, bars, and more. Bournemouth square will often have new and exciting things taking place, from events to festivals to themed days and other celebrations. From the square Bournemouth can be explored up to The Triangle via Commercial Road and in the other direction on Old Christchurch Road. Both locations allow you to explore more shops, restaurants and bars along the way.
On the outskirts from the town centre, situated along the clifftops, you will find the charming and characterful coastal villages. Towards Poole and Sandbanks lies Westbourne while to the east of Bournemouth you will find Boscombe and Southbourne. With quieter beaches, expanding high streets with independent shops and unique restaurants, these little suburbs are becoming increasingly popular places to live. Head to our villages page to find out more.
With 1000 hectares of parks and gardens, many of which are situated north of the town centre, there is plenty more to explore as you get away from the beaches. North of the city centre you will find Charminster and Winton, which are popular due to their proximity to the Universities and their diverse array of restaurants. The long Wimborne Road which has many shops, cafes, restaurants and amenities will take you all the way to Moordown and Muscliff, other popular residential areas that sit just below the River Stour. These areas all contain easy links to the town centre and nearby amenities.
Castlepoint Shopping Centre is a popular retail site situated on Castle Lane, just East of Moordown and West of Christchurch. Nearby residential areas are often referred to in relation to the shopping centre which is easily accessed via public transport.
Located in Hurn, just north of Christchurch off the A338, you will find Bournemouth International Airport. The airport flies multiple times a week to various holiday spots across Europe, making it an affordable route to jet away. Destinations include, Poland, Spain, Portugal.
Lansdowne roundabout and the roads that lead from it feature many nightlife venues, cafes, shops and amenities. The area is also close to some of the largest student accommodation in the area making it a popular spot for students to enjoy. The area is close to Bournemouth train station and is roughly a 15-20 minute walk to the city centre.
Bournemouth isn't just a great place to live, there are plenty of reasons why you should think about working here to. Find out more by visiting our working in Bournemouth page.
The A338 into Bournemouth is a major primary route in Southern England making the town very accessible. The route comes down from Salisbury or can be joined at Ringwood via the A31. The motorway will take you right through Bournemouth and into Poole.
South West Trains operate the Waterloo to Weymouth line with many stops through Christchurch, Bournemouth and Poole. The Journey from Bournemouth Station to Waterloo is around 2 hours and is therefore very popular for trips to and from the capital. The railway also presents a great way to get out and explore both the new forest and parts of rural Dorset.
Our local bus operator morebus offers great travel services around the destination, with regular routes connecting Poole, Bournemouth and Christchurch. There are also buses which go further afield to Salisbury, Swanage and the Purbecks – visiting Bournemouth and the surrounding areas couldn’t be easier, just hop on and hop off!
There are plenty of coach providers offering great prices on travel to and from Bournemouth. All coaches arrive in the heart of Bournemouth, right next to the train station, where taxis and local buses are waiting to take you to your hotel, the town centre or seafront.
PRC Streamline, Dorset's premier taxi fleet cover Bournemouth, Christchurch, Poole and surrounding Dorset. 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
For more information you can refer to our travel information page.
If you’ve ever dreamt of living by the sea, then moving to Bournemouth will doubtlessly appeal to you. Before you find your perfect new home, you might wish to view our accommodation page for any short-term needs. Whether it’s a hotel, guest house or self-catering, our friendly partner businesses will be happy to help you feel at home as soon as you arrive.
Bournemouth contains some fantastic retirement and care homes in world class locations for those seeking clean coastal air and a slower pace of life. See the listings below to find somewhere that’s right for you or your loved one.
Looking to rent or buy? You can find a great selection of properties in Bournemouth, from large historic houses, many of which are converted into affordable flats, to exciting new-builds that are popping up around the area. Whether it’s a bungalow by the beach, a family home in the leafy suburbs or an apartment in the city centre, there’s plenty on offer to find your perfect home.
Our destination is well known for its education. With two state of the art Universities, studying in Bournemouth is a truly great place to get upskilled or start a career.
Bournemouth boasts three world class universities, which attract students from all over the world for their highly regarded courses. Bournemouth University (BU), Arts University Bournemouth (AUB) are situated at Wallisdown and AECC University College is located in Boscombe.
Bournemouth is often described as having certain Anglo-European charms and you can find many language schools across the destination. Whether you’re looking to learn or teach English as a second language there are certified courses for both. If you are a qualified teacher there are of course jobs in the schools too. Foreign students will also find that many residents open their doors for boarders and temporary visitors during the study period. Visit the International Education Forum website for further information.
Discover, explore and be inspired by our 10 miles of beautiful coastline! Beneath the magnificent cliffs, you'll find Bournemouth and Poole's 10 miles of award-winning beaches, from Hengistbury Head Nature Reserve in the East all the way across to Sandbanks in the West. Please note: This version should work with Google Chrome.
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