Living in Bournemouth – A Guide to Life & Work in Dorset
Are you considering living in Bournemouth?
Situated on Dorset’s south coast, Bournemouth is by far the largest town in the county.
Bournemouth offers residents a truly excellent lifestyle, with the town has been consistently voted as the UK’s premium seaside town.
Bournemouth received the coveted title as one of the best places to live for health and well-being in 2024!
Moreover, Bournemouth offers locals a range of stunning golden beaches, scenic coastal walks, and a plethora of leisure activities for all the family.
Bournemouth also boasts an average of 7.7 hours of sunshine on a summer’s day, well above the UK average and certainly a great reason to consider moving to the south coast!
In this article we hope to provide a comprehensive guide to the area, highlighting everything great about life in Bournemouth.
Covering everything from the cost of buying a home to some of the most exciting activities in the town.
Here is our guide to moving to Bournemouth!
House Prices in Bournemouth
Period Home for Sale, Bournemouth. Image credit: Pixabay
If you’re considering moving to Bournemouth, the town offers a diverse range of options for all different buyers.
Bournemouth’s prestige as one of the UK’s best coastal destinations, as well as its excellent transport links and superb weather, have all contributed to ensuring the town is a popular destination for buyers from across the UK.
Bournemouth’s popularity is clear to see and means that the town boasts a busy property market.
According to Zoopla, current average house prices in Bournemouth sit comfortably north of £366,921.
Whilst the average cost of a property in the town is above the UK average, the prestige and popularity of the area mean that the housing market is very popular.
Residing in Bournemouth does offer great value for money, especially when compared to other major cities in the south of the UK.
The current average price for a home in London is a staggering £736,281.
Providing residents with excellent transport links across Dorset and the whole of the south of England, Bournemouth is very fairly priced and is an exciting choice for many buyers.
So, if you are considering Bournemouth as your next place called home, what sort of price should you be anticipating to pay for various different property types?
The current price of a detached home in Bournemouth is £548,560.
Buyers looking for a semi-detached home can currently expect to pay an average price of £343,717.
If you are thinking of purchasing a terraced home, the average price in Bournemouth is £301,708, with flats averaging at £248,802.
Cost of Renting in Bournemouth
Terraced Houses Displaying To Let Signs. Image credit: Unsplash
It is often not until you have lived in a location for a while do you really get to know it.
Owning your own house is one of the largest purchases most of us will ever make during our lifetime.
Renting allows you to “try before you buy”, making it a great option for many.
There are various types of housing available to rent privately in the Bournemouth area.
Whether you are looking to rent a self-contained flat, house, or just a room, there is certainly something for everyone in Bournemouth.
As a quick guide, the average cost to rent a home in Bournemouth is now more than £1,602 per month.
This is a far cheaper option than renting in London which has an average rental cost of £4,451 per month.
If you’re thinking of moving home to Bournemouth and would prefer to rent, there are lots of options to choose from.
A one-bedroom flat to rent will cost an average of £941 per month, whilst a larger 4-bedroom property will cost an average of £2,144 per month.
There are currently 618 properties available to rent in the town.
132 of these properties were listed in the last two weeks, indicating that renting is an extremely popular choice in the region.
If you’re thinking of uprooting and heading to Bournemouth and would like to rent, be sure to regularly review the average cost at Home.co.uk.
Everyday Costs
LIDL Bournemouth. Image credit: Bournemouth Echo
As one of the UK’s premium coastal regions, expect the cost in Bournemouth to be a little higher than other areas.
However, there are numerous ways that residents are able to save money when living in any area of the UK.
Shopping at local produce markets or at one of the cheaper supermarkets such as Lidl and Aldi you should be able to save quite a bit more, especially when compared to shopping at more premium stores such as Marks and Spencer’s or Waitrose.
The cost of living website Numbeo is a handy tool, highlighting various costs of living in the Dorset seaside town.
It calculates average costs you are likely to pay for day-to-day grocery items.
Below are some examples of the costs you can expect to pay:
- Milk (1 litre) £1.25
- A loaf of Bread (500g) £1.30
- Eggs (regular) (12) £3.62
- Local Cheese (1kg) £8.00
- Chicken Fillets (1kg) £5.35
- Banana (1kg) £1.08
- Tomatoes (1kg) £2.00
- Potatoes (1kg) £1.09
- Onions (1kg) £0.88
- Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) £6.50
- Domestic Beer (0.5 litre bottle) £2.14
Entertainment
Relocating to Bournemouth will also mean you have access to a wide range of different activities.
When it comes to entertainment, there is no need to spend a fortune.
Many attractions in Bournemouth are free, we will discuss some of the best things to do below but you can also have a look online for free events in the town.
Whether you are driving, taking public transportation, or cycling, you will also have to factor travel costs into your budget.
It is cheaper to purchase a monthly travel ticket in Bournemouth which can be used on local busses and trains.
Depending on where you live and where you have to travel to will affect the price you pay.
The average cost of a monthly travel ticket in Bournemouth is £60 per month, making traversing the city particularly cheap, especially when compared to the £150 budget you would need in London.
Whilst there are certainly cheaper locations to live in the UK, Bournemouth offers residents particularly good regional value.
Comparing the cost of living in Bournemouth to other major areas like London reveal that this seaside town is an excellent option.
Be sure to head over to Numbeo for more average costs.
The website has a handy tool that allows you to compare the cost of living with any major town or city across the world!
This will give you a great insight into the different prices you can expect to pay when based in Bournemouth.
Schools in Bournemouth
Queen’s Park Academy, Bournemouth. Image credit: Bournemouth Echo
If you’re thinking of moving to Bournemouth with children, you will need to find a good school close to where you choose to live.
Carrying out as much research as you can well before you move will really help.
There are various ways to find the best schools in your new area.
One of the simplest ways is to visit the gov.uk website for your new home.
It is the perfect tool for finding out about the best schools in any area.
The website allows you to sort between primary, secondary and sixth-form schools.
It also indicates each school’s size, results and their most recent Ofsted report.
Much like the rest of the UK, most schools in Bournemouth operate under a two-tier education system.
Parents based in Bournemouth are given a broad selection of 85 primary schools and 39 secondary schools for students aged 11–16yrs living in the town.
Bournemouth is also home to 31 sixth-form and college institutions providing education for students aged between 16 to 18.
The highest-performing primary schools in the area include Manorside Academy, Pokesdown Community Primary School and Jewell Academy Bournemouth.
All of these primary schools have achieved the coveted ‘Outstanding’ review at their most recent Ofsted inspection!
For secondary school options, there are a total of 6 ‘Outstanding’ performers.
These include Avonbourne Boys’ Academy, Bournemouth School, Bournemouth School for Girls and Glenmoor Academy.
Bournemouth also offers sixth-form and college students 6 separate schools to choose from.
Life in Bournemouth ensures that students always have access to the best possible education.
Parents can rest assured that their children will receive a high level of education wherever they live within the town.
Transport Links in Bournemouth
Bournemouth Central Railway Station. Image credit: Wikipedia
Bournemouth has excellent links to the surrounding area via motorways, public transport and even a local airport.
The town ensures residents are well connected to the rest of the UK via one of the towns three railway stations.
Hopping on a train means commuters can arrive in London Waterloo in just 97 minutes.
These fast rains to the capital mean the seaside town is a popular location for commuters who do not mind travelling for work.
The A388 is the main road for locals in the area, providing access to Bournemouth from the north and east.
The A35 from the west also connects to Bournemouth via the A3049.
Bournemouth is also served by Yellow Buses and Wilts & Dorset.
Both local bus providers have vast networks covering every major shopping area in the town.
Bournemouth also allows access to a convenient ferry service linking Poole with both Guernsey and Jersey.
Residents are also given entry to international and national travel.
A choice of scheduled and charter services is available from Bournemouth Airport.
Access to London’s Heathrow and Gatwick Airports is easy and convenient from Bournemouth by train or by coach, allowing for more long-distance travel.
Employment in Bournemouth
Much like the rest of Dorset, Bournemouth’s economy is centred around the service sector.
In 2010 Bournemouth’s services sector was 10% above the national average, a trend that has continued to grow.
Bournemouth also has a strong financial services sector with the public services sector and tourism also emerging as an integral part of the local economy.
The region also has two popular universities and has been a coveted destination for overseas students to learn English.
This has subsequently boosted the economy in the town.
Bournemouth’s economy has been steadily growing, with unemployment numbers at lower levels than the national average.
Emerging sectors showing strong growth in Bournemouth include the digital economy.
Recent employment figures suggest that overall employment numbers are increasing.
All of this combines to make Bournemouth an increasingly popular choice.
As previously stated, Bournemouth’s strong housing market pays testament to the town’s economic strength.
Things to Do in Bournemouth
Durdle Door, Dorset. Image credit: Unsplash
Bournemouth ensures there is always something exciting to do.
Boasting 7 miles of golden sand beaches, the town offers all the quintessential British seaside attractions.
Living on the coast means residents can always spend a day on the beach soaking up some of the warm(ish) English sun.
If you are going to be moving to Bournemouth for the first time, there are some excellent ways to view the town.
There is no better way to get acquainted with the town than on a sightseeing bus!
These insightful tours not only take you to all of the towns best locations but also give you an insight into the town’s history along the way!
Families are well accounted for when in Bournemouth.
The south coast of England is a particularly popular tourist location, something that greatly benefits Bournemouth.
Top attractions in and around the town include Monkey World, Swanage Railway, Paultons Park Home of Peppa Pig World.
Bournemouth’s excellent location ensures there is an almost endless amount of things to do!
Shopping in Bournemouth
The Arcade Shopping Centre, Bournemouth. Image credit: Bournemouth Arcade
Living in Bournemouth provides locals with a broad selection of shopping options.
From quaint boutique stores, big high-street names, international department stores and a range of local vendors, Bournemouth and the surrounding areas are brimming with possibilities for shoppers of all tastes.
If you want to enjoy the beach or town centre attractions, Bournemouth’s The Avenue, The Arcade or The Dalkeith shopping centres are all must-visit shopping destinations.
Castlepoint is another great location, especially for those driving.
Boasting over 40 separate retailers, Castlepoint is ideal for those who are trying to avoid shopping in the busy town centre.
If you are willing to venture a little further afield, neighbouring Poole also offers some excellent shopping options.
The Dolphin Centre in Poole is a great indoor shopping centre offering all the best retail names.
Ready to Move to Bournemouth?
White & Company Truck
Have you made the decision to move to Bournemouth?
Bournemouth is home to a range of excellent properties for families, fun activities, excellent schools and ideal transport links across the UK.
If you are thinking of living in Bournemouth and have found the ideal home, we are here to help you get moving.
You can start planning your dream move with the assistance of our Bournemouth Removals service from White & Company today.
White & Company are also happy to announce the introduction of our new video survey service.
During these unprecedented times, we can safely conduct remote removals surveys.
We can gather all the relevant information for your move from the comfort of your own home.
So, give us a call today or fill out a quick quote form to see how we can get your dream move to Bournemouth in the works.
Max is a seasoned writer and blogger in the real estate and home moving sectors, as well as a knowledgeable source of information for expatriates living and working abroad. His detailed insights have helped thousands of people move and live abroad with greater simplicity and ease.
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