Dorset has it all; sea, sand, and an abundance of quaint towns and villages. Thinking of moving to this beautiful coastal region? Take a look at our pick of some of the best places to live in Dorset.
Dorchester
Dorchester is the county town of Dorset and is located in the south of the region, approximately seven miles from the coast. It offers a relaxed lifestyle, a mix of old and new architecture, and a fantastic local food scene stemming from the abundance of locally grown produce. There are high-achieving schools including Thomas Hardye Schoo, which is known as one of the best in Dorset. A high number of pupils of the school go on to study at Oxford or Cambridge.
Dorchester has good transport links and is in an ideal location. Residents are only a short drive away from the infamous Jurassic Coast, the countryside, and many picturesque villages well worth visiting. There is plenty to do in Dorchester itself of course, and it’s packed full of culture and history, making the town an enduringly popular location.
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Blandford Forum
Blandford Forum is in the north of Dorset, nestled alongside the River Stour. It is well known as a prime example of the traditional market town, with plenty of independent shops, cafés, restaurants, and pubs to choose from. The three local primary schools, Milldown CofE, Blandford St Mary CofE, and Archbishop Wake CofE, are are all rated ‘good’ by Ofsted. The secondary school Blandford School is also rated ‘good’ and it is where a lot of the primary school students end up.
Property prices are just above the average for England at around £355,000, although if you’re looking for one of the Georgian-style homes you should expect to pay a premium. Blandford Forum is the ideal town if you want somewhere quieter but located close enough to most of the nearby towns and villages, which are just under an hour away.
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Ferndown
Ferndown is the second-largest inland town in Dorset and is located near the Dorset/Hampshire border. It has a great deal to offer homebuyers thinking of moving there; from the 700-acre pine forest to the bustling but uncrowded town centre. An attractive town located on beautiful ancient heathland with an abundance of open space, Ferndown benefits from connection to nature. The town has three schools, all of which received a ‘good’ rating from Ofsted. Nearby Bournemouth and the Jurassic Coast offer great opportunities for exploration too.
Sherborne
Situated in north-west Dorset, Sherborne is full of history and boasts a vibrant market. There is plethora of beautiful period homes dotted throughout the area too. Excellent transport links add to Sherborne’s appeal to commuters, with a direct line to London Waterloo easily accessible. House prices are competitive, schools are high achieving, and there is a flourishing competitive sports scene. All of this makes Sherborne a fantastic place for families or those looking to start one.
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Southbourne
Located on the outskirts of Bournemouth, close to Christchurch, Southbourne’s prime location offers access to these amazing towns as well as to the coast. Perfect for pleasant days out and entertainment, you’ll find a mix of families, retirees, and young professionals living here. On the topic of families, Southbourne is very safe and is conveniently close to all amenities you’ll need. There are plenty of high-achieving schools to choose from, as well as a wide choice of gyms and water sports facilities. It’d be remiss not to mention the near-endless coastal and rural walks on your doorstep as well!
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How can OneDome help me move to Dorset?
With so many incredible locations it’s not easy whittling it down to one. But when you do, consider using OneDome to complete the entire homebuying process from start to finish. For example, our innovative online conveyancing platform simplifies the legal stuff you need to do by moving the whole process onto an online, easily accessible platform. Since all parties involved can track the progress of the conveyancing process in real time, estate agents will find it easier to complete sales quickly and home movers can sell or purchase a property faster than traditional methods. You can also get a mortgage with OneDome, with 90+ lenders offering over 12,000 mortgage products to choose from.
OneDome, everything you need to complete your move.
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