Are you considering places to live in Bournemouth? In addition to some of the best beaches in the world, Bournemouth offers plenty of things to do, excellent transport links, several universities, affordable life, and friendly communities. If you are not sure which is the best place to live in Bournemouth, UK, for yourself, please continue reading this blog.
Is Bournemouth a good place to live?
Certainly yes! Bournemouth is an ideal location for living, working, and entertainment. You can find several good areas to live in Bournemouth. You can enjoy the sunshine, warm seas, and a greater sense of well-being in this coastal city in the UK. Whether you’re looking for a change of pace, a dynamic work scene, or a family-friendly seaside town, there’s much to love about Bournemouth. Here are some attractive reasons for living in Bournemouth:
- Housing Options
- Transportation Connectivity
- Climate Suitability
- Natural Landscape
- Educational resources
- Employment Opportunities
- Leisure and Entertainment
Where are the best places to live in Bournemouth?
Bournemouth, a city on the southern coast of England, is renowned for its stunning sandy beaches, vibrant atmosphere, and high standard of living. Here, we recommend some of the best places to live in Bournemouth:
Southbourne
In a vote for the best place to live in Bournemouth last year, Southbourne absolutely crushed every other area part of Bournemouth. Southbourne, located in the west of Bournemouth, is a thriving coastal suburb that has plenty to offer.
Natural Scenery: Southbourne is famous for its picturesque Blue Flag beaches, where you can enjoy panoramic views and fresh sea breeze. Don’t forget to explore Fisherman’s Walk, a stunning walking trail along the cliff top between Fisherman’s Avenue and Portman Crescent. Southbourne Grove is a narrow forest with natural trails, forest flowers and shrubs, and abundant wildlife.
Food Diversity: Southbourne offers a variety of food options. Whether it’s delicious chicken and tapas, juicy olives and Italian pizza, or handmade burger bars, you’ll find it in Southbourne. Into the evening, Southbourne’s buzzing bars offer a range of exciting options, including microbreweries and award-winning cocktails.
Shopping Paradise: In Southbourne, you can find a range of shops that offer unique home products, vintage jewellery, and quirky gifts. If you are looking for the perfect holiday gift, you will find it on the high streets of Southbourne. The nearby parking lot makes it convenient to explore this charming seaside village.
Convenient Residence: Southbourne is out of the way from the hustle and bustle of the town centre, but just a short drive, cycle, or bus ride from it. This area also provides different accommodation options with different facilities and services to meet various needs. There are multiple hotels, boutique Bed & Breakfast by the Sea, and several options for Bournemouth student accommodation.
Westbourne
Westbourne, the second-best place to live in Bournemouth, UK, is often described as the “hippest part” of Bournemouth. This is a residential and shopping district located in the west of Bournemouth.
Dining Options: Westbourne has an increasing number of international restaurants, bars, delis, liquor stores, cafes, food stores, and independent shops. Here, visitors can dine, snack, or enjoy drinks, and discover cuisine from around the world, such as the UK’s best fish and chip shop, Chez Fred, or the award-winning Renoufs cheese and wine bar.
Rich History: Westbourne was incorporated into Bournemouth in 1844 and developed with the opening of Bournemouth West railway station on Queens Road in 1874. The core area of Westbourne is the beautiful Westbourne Arcade, a colourful Gothic shopping arcade built between 1884 and 1885 by Henry Joy. This area has some well-preserved historical buildings including the smallest cinema in the UK, Bournemouth Colossum, with only 19 seats.
Entertainment: Westbourne also offers plenty of entertainment venues, including Q&A nights, wine-tasting parties, live music, movie nights, and more. Wander away from Westbourne, and you’ll find a lovely walk from the centre through a wooded area leading to the beautiful tropical gardens, just a short walk away from the beach at Alum Chine.
Residence: The properties in Westbourne are not the cheapest around, but the local schools are superb. Therefore, this area is particularly popular with growing families and young professionals. This area was also once the home of some famous people, including Mantovani, Max Bygraves, Freddie Mills, Lionel Jeffries, and JRR Tolkien, the author of The Lord of the Rings.
Bournemouth Town Centre
When it comes to the best areas in Bournemouth to live, you can’t miss Bournemouth Town Centre. This is the place ideal for those who want to be in the heart of fun. Bournemouth Town Centre is a bustling area that combines shopping, dining, entertainment, and culture, as well as a tourist destination with rich historical and architectural heritage.
Development History: The history of Bournemouth Town Centre can be traced back to the early 19th century, when it was just a wasteland. Lewis Tregonwell and his wife established their first residence here and planted pine trees to provide shelter for tuberculosis patients. By the end of the 19th century, with the arrival of railways, Bournemouth rapidly developed into a popular seaside resort.
Dining, Shopping, and Entertainment: Bournemouth Town Centre offers a wide range of dining options, from independent restaurants to large chain brands, as well as cafes and bars. For shopping lovers, there are many boutique stores, department stores, designer brands, and high street brands. The town centre also has modern cinemas, virtual reality experiences, escape rooms, bowling, mini golf and other entertainment facilities.
Culture and Attractions: Bournemouth Town Centre is close to the beach. You only need to pass through the beautiful Victorian-style lower garden to reach Bournemouth Pier, where golden beaches are extending in two directions. The town centre also has several famous attractions, such as the Ocean Aquarium, Art Gallery Museum, etc. You can have the opportunity to see various events and festivals in Bournemouth Town Centre, such as the annual aviation show and the art seaside festival.
Winton
Winton is a small town located in the suburbs of Bournemouth with a population of approximately 10000 people. It is renowned for the vibrant community and rich history.
Shopping and Recreation: Winton has and is home to a variety of shops, restaurants, and local businesses. There is a delightful farmers’ market on Cardigan Road every third Saturday of the month. Winton Recreation Ground is a very famous landmark in town, a popular place for locals to gather and enjoy outdoor activities. There are large amusement parks, tennis courts, skateboard parks, and many open spaces in the park suitable for picnics and games. Winton also has several historical buildings, including Winton Methodist Church, St Luke Church, and Winton Library built in 1905.
Residence and Community: Winton provides a good sense of belonging with a strong community spirit, and this is probably the reason why most people decide to settle down and stay put. Quite a lot of families live here, and there are plenty of schools, with affordable housing tending to be a mix from the Victorian and Edwardian eras. Winton is close to Bournemouth University and the Arts University Bournemouth, so it is one of the best areas to live in Bournemouth for students. Winton is also well-served by public transport, making it easy to explore the rest of the city.
Boscombe
Boscombe, located two miles east of Bournemouth city centre, is a place full of local characteristics with many attractions to explore. It was originally a sparsely populated wilderness area that rapidly developed from a small village around 1865 into a seaside resort and one of the best places to live in Bournemouth.
Beautiful Landscape: Wander towards the Boscombe seafront, and you’ll find Boscombe Pier. With fantastic views along the coast, the restored pier is a great place to stroll and look out for the crafted musical instruments lining the route. Boscombe Cliff Gardens was originally opened in 1900 and merged into the Boscombe Overcliff Local Nature Reserve. The outward-looking cliff gardens also lead to the more sheltered Italianate gardens. Both overlook beautiful cliffs grazed by a small herd of feral goats. The area was designated as a Local Nature Reserve in 2007 and, with almost 23 acres, is a site of ecological importance.
Other Entertainment: The Royal Arcade is definitely worth a look; it is a beautiful throwback to the Victorian era with a fascinating and varied range of independent shops, including a record shop, galleries and art supplies, clothes, tarot reading, and a café with outdoor seating. The market is open on Thursdays and Saturdays, and you can find a wide range of fresh local produce that’s an inspiration for both professional and home chefs. Boscombe also has its own bustling nightlife scene, with O2 Academy being a well-known venue that hosts performances by various local, national, and international artists.
Charminster
Charminster is a residential and commercial suburb, one of the best choices if you are considering living in Bournemouth. Charminster is situated between the suburbs of Springbourne (to the south-east) and Winton (to the north-west). It was incorporated into the County Borough of Bournemouth in 1901.
Amenities: Today’s Charminster is a thriving multicultural place. There are busy commercial streets offering international restaurants, cafes, and wine bars, as well as some professional independent shops offering unique and diverse choices, creating a lively and fashionable atmosphere.
Residence: Charmister offers a unique lifestyle that combines urban convenience and rural charm, known for its Victorian and Edwardian style houses. Providing excellent educational resources, this area is popular with students and families. Due to its proximity to Bournemouth University, Charminster is home to many students during the semester. The arrival of these young people ensures that the region remains at the forefront of society.
Lansdowne Road
Lansdowne Road is a bustling area of Bournemouth. It is considered as one of the best areas to live in Bournemouth because of its great location, educational and medical resources, and affordable residence.
Development: From the 1970s to the early 1990s, this region underwent significant changes. Bournemouth City Council has proposed a £ 27 million vision plan to transform the Lansdowne area into a “world-class” business district. The renovation project includes filling in the roundabout near Bournemouth train station, reserving nine potential development sites for office, residential, and student housing development, and more.
Landmark: There is a famous clock tower near Lansdowne Road, which is part of Bournemouth Municipal College and was built in 1919. It is still the campus of Bournemouth and Poole College today. This clock tower was once considered a visual barrier, but over time and with the development of surrounding buildings, it has become one of the oldest and most striking buildings in the region.
Residence: There are multiple schools and medical facilities near Lansdowne Road, such as secondary schools Bournemouth School and Glenmoor Academy, and Nuffield Health Bournemouth Hospital. Lansdowne Road and its surrounding areas are mainly apartments. Recommended student accommodation in Lansdowne Road, Bournemouth, includes Mercury House and Purbeck House.
Conclusion of Places to Live in Bournemouth
We hope you feel a little informed about the places to live in Bournemouth based on the above content. The areas mentioned before offer a mix of natural beauty, recreational activities, and cultural experiences, making them some of the best places to live in Bournemouth. Each has its own personality and perks, catering to different lifestyles. By the way, if you need to rent student housing in Bournemouth, please get in touch with uhomes.com, and our professionals will be ready to help you.
FAQs about Places to Live in Bournemouth
Where is the cheapest place to live in Bournemouth?
The cheapest place to live in Bournemouth appears to be Springbourne. According to the data from NiceAreas, Springbourne has the lowest house prices with the latest sold prices at £145,000. This area has a multicultural metropolitan vibe with a focus on rented family living and private renting for new arrivals. When considering affordability, Springbourne stands out as the most cost-effective option within Bournemouth.
What is the most expensive place to live in Bournemouth?
Little Forest Road is at the top of the most expensive place to live in Bournemouth. The average house price here is £ 1,076,335, and it has increased by 3.08% in the past twelve months. Therefore, it can be considered that Little Forest Road is the most expensive place to live in Bournemouth.
Where do rich people live in Bournemouth?
Rich people living in Bournemouth are mainly concentrated in some high-end real estate areas, such as Belle Vue Road, Southbourne Overcliff Drive, and Throop Road. The property prices in these areas are significantly higher than the average house price in Bournemouth. They are favoured by affluent buyers because of the superior geographical location, modern buildings, and high value.
