Are you considering living in Poole?
Famous for its harbour and for being close to the Island of Brownsea, living in Poole is a family-friendly choice that is full of class and elegance.
Relocating to a different town or city is never a straightforward assignment!
It is often made harder when you do not know much about the area you are moving to.
This is no different if you are thinking of living in Poole!
There are several things to contemplate when moving to a new area.
On top of this, there are the actual stresses that can pop up with the moving process.
We understand that the whole idea of relocating can be extremely daunting!
We are here to support you.
In this article, we hope to help you to better understand what living in Poole is like.
Having a strong understanding of what to expect when living in the area will hopefully assist with your decision to move.
Here is our guide to living in Poole!
House Prices in Poole
It is a well-known fact that Poole has some of the most expensive real estate in the UK.
Property prices are on par with those of many London Boroughs such as Westminster, Kensington, and Chelsea.
The town is home to a high number of wealthy businessmen and celebrities who can afford the hefty price tags the local housing market commands.
Some may say why is it so costly to live here. Surrounded by award-winning Blue Flag beaches, the town boasts the second largest harbour in the world, after the iconic Sydney Harbour.
Combine this with easy access to London and the Home Counties, as well as the Jurassic Coast and the New Forest National Park it all starts to make sense.
There are over 1000 homes for sale within a mile of Poole.
The average property price is higher than the national average and currently stands at £337,936. However, it is possible for those who do not have deep pockets to find their ideal home here.
Away from the glitz and glamour, there is something for everyone at a cost that is far more affordable.
One-bedroom flats start at £188,000 whilst three-bedroom homes can be bought from £407,000.
Parkstone, Upton and Hamworthy are great areas to search for a budget-friendly home, and the bonus is that they are still located in areas close to the coast.
Cost of Living in Poole
With the current situation in the UK and worldwide, financially, Covid 19 has left its mark on almost everyone in some way or another.
The cost of living is always on the up, so it has never been more important to manage our incoming money carefully.
So, how much can you save on your monthly outgoings when you live in Poole?
Every little helps as they say, and ensuring you put aside a set amount each month, no matter how small, after the bills have been paid, will go towards a family outing, a new outfit or something for the home.
You are spoilt for choice when it comes to eating out in Poole, but you do not have to book a table at the most expensive restaurant in town.
Alongside Poole Harbour, there are some great take away vendors selling a range of delicious freshly cooked food such as hog roast, pizza and of course fish and chips. All at a fraction of what you would pay in a sit-down restaurant. And you can sit and watch all the comings and goings at the harbourside.
Spend the day on Sandbanks beautiful beach. To save on costs, take a picnic, the children will love it.
There are plenty of other activities which don’t mean having to fork out a fortune to enjoy:
- Cycling – Poole has a number of planned cycle routes
- Poole Park – Famous for its aquatic birds and miniature railway, Poole’s Victorian park is a great venue for relaxing and playing.
- Events – Poole holds a number of exciting events during the year which you don’t have to pay for such as Summer Breeze music festival. Jazz on the Quay and the Dream Machines weekly motorcycle event where hundreds of enthusiasts show up and parade their motorbikes.
Like all large towns Poole has its fair share of budget supermarkets; Iceland and Aldi are two of the most cost-effective and they have regular weekly offers so you can save even more.
The very popular local outdoor market is another place to shop. Held on Poole High Street Thursdays and Saturdays it’s the place to go to “bag a bargain”.
Things to do in Poole
The sheer number of attractions and things to do in and around Poole and the wider county of Dorset is staggering.
Many activities are water-based but there are a host of other wonderful attractions to discover too.
Here is a shortlist of 10 of the most popular ways to spend your down time in Poole:
- The Lighthouse Arts Centre – www.lighthousepoole.co.uk
- Poole Speedway – www.poole-speedway.com
- Poole Museum – www.poolemuseum.co.uk
- Dolphin Shopping Centre – www.dolphinshoppingcentre.co.uk
- Brownsea Island – www.nationaltrust.org.uk/brownsea-island
- Poole Harbour Cruises – www.citycruises.com/poole/
- Farmer Palmers Farm Park – www.farmerpalmers.co.uk
- Parkstone Golf Course – www.parkstonegolfclub.com
- The Watersports Academy – www.thewatersportsacademy.com
- Hollywood Bowl – www.hollywoodbowl.co.uk/
Schools in Poole
School prospects in Poole are top draw, with students given plenty of choice.
Ofsted has rated the primary schools of Old Town First, Lilliput CofE First, Baden Powell and St Peter’s CofE Middle all as ‘outstanding’.
The Girls Secondary school, Parkstone Grammar, received a similarly impressive ‘outstanding’ rating and the Boys equivalent, Poole Grammar was also judged as ‘good’ with many ‘outstanding’ traits.
The Poole branch of Bournemouth & Poole College in North Road offers many higher education courses.
These include foundation degrees, delivered in association with Bournemouth University as well as some other higher education organisations.
Jobs in Poole
Poole has a strong, steadily growing economy, largely based on leisure and tourism.
Education, manufacturing, construction banking and retail are also very important employment sectors in the region.
Some of the major employers for those living in Poole include Barclays, John Lewis and Coutts.
Another key employer is The University of Bournemouth, whose’s main campus is situated in Poole.
The university provides plenty of opportunities for work in higher education.
Furthermore, there are numerous industrial estates across Poole.
These include the Nuffield Industrial Estate and Creekmoor.
Both are home to smaller firms providing employment in various sectors.
Lots of residents living in Poole also commute to other nearby towns and cities.
Bournemouth, which is 12 mins away, is the most popular, but others travel further to Weymouth which is around 45mins away and Southampton at around an hour commute.
A regeneration project refreshing the waterfront area has begun.
Poole Council predicts that such developments will generate £1 billion of investment in the town!
Ready to Begin Living in Poole?
Are you thinking of living in Poole?
Whether you are considering moving for the excellent range of properties, the great job opportunities or some of the excellent things to do, living in Poole is a great choice.
If you have made the big decision to move, we are here to help you get your dream move to Poole underway.
Here at Curtiss & Sons Portsmouth, we are an experienced and professional removals company that has been helping people moving home since 1871.
If you need help and advice on moving your home or perhaps some questions about your house removals, you can get in touch with us on 023 9298 5830 and our friendly team is here to assist you with your enquiry.
