moving to Christchurch , Dorset

The U3A was definitely a lifeline for me when I moved to the area. I made many good friends through that.
I'm now part of a local" Young at Heart Group" and this evening I am going to a free Dancing on The Terrace event in Bournemouth town centre overlooking the sea.
I personally wouldn't leave an area I was settled in if you were leaving family and friends behind where you live now but you have family here so that makes a huge difference.I moved here because of my husband's work and was very homesick for a few years until I made a life for myself

We live in the New Forest between Christchurch and Lymington.
I love Christchurch and wouldn’t mind at all living there. As mentioned, there’s a U3A, sailing club if that’s your thing, a little cinema and lots of opportunities for volunteering if you like to be kept busy 🤔
If has a main line railway station so easy to get to the near by cities

Good luck. I hope you enjoy it there.

We holidayed there this year, it’s a beautiful part of the world.
My cousin lives there and they are very happy. So many lovely places to visit around there.

We live in nearby Bournemouth and visit Christchurch often. It has some lovely shops and is on a bus route, although not so many buses as in prior years. It does have a bit of a reputation of being God's Waiting Room, due to the age of the majority of residents. There are some glorious walks in the area you describe, to Mudeford Quay and further depending on your stamina. Lots of places to visit and close to the New Forest too. The Roads you mention are outside of town, so parking is not such a problem.

I realise from reading other posts I muddled Mudeford with Milford on Sea close to Lymington, along the coast but a great vantage point looking over across to the IOW. I think that whole area would be a lovely place to relocate to.

Christchurch U3A looks like it has nearly 100 groups!
www.christchurchu3a.org.uk/classgroups/groupsXYZ.php
Bournemouth has even more. And there are 14 other U3A groups in Dorset if you have a car. And some in the New Forest area (Hampshire)

If you have a life where you are, carry on with it. If you need to build a new one, Christchurch seems as good a choice as any. I believe it's a bit touristy, i.e. parking will be impossible.

We used to live in Bournemouth and went frequently to Christchurch as it is beautiful with plenty of green spaces. The town centre, priory and river are all very close together and there is a lovely water park for children if you have grandchildren staying. The buses are frequent and we found the people friendly. It is one of my favourite places and I would move there tomorrow given the opportunity.

I have had the opportunity to live down in nearby Highcliffe twice over the past 40 years and sadly had to return to Hertfordshire both times 🙄 I never stopped missing that part of the world it has so much and more. You will not go wrong. If I could go back in an instant I would. Go for it you will not regret it.

I prefer Mudeford walking distance to the beach. A friend moved to a cul-de-sac there and they all are very friendly. We couldn't park in Christchurch when we visited.

I lived very near Christchurch, and we went there many times.
The area is lovely as are the people. I divorced or I would still
be there. The air is nice too, or seems to be.
Lucky you!! I would go back tomorrow if I had the chance
Enjoy

My advice would be to check how frequent and easy it is to get public transport near where you are house hunting.Car parking can be very expensive and difficult to find especially during the tourist season
I live in Bournemouth and there are quite a lot of free activities to enjoy for tourists and residents.U3A is also very active particularly in Bournemouth but Christchurch also has it's one too.

I don't live there, but go down that way quite often. I love Christchuch, it is renowned for its older demographic love the area around The Priory and the New England style Boathouse on the Quay, we were there for a week in May. Also further along the coast some of my other favourite haunts, Lymington and Mudeford, great views across to the IOW it looks so close sometimes on a clear day, I think I could almost swim it gross exaggeration but it's definitely within reach of a strong swimmer, which isn't me!. Further afield lovely places to visit The New Forest and The Isle of Purbeck.

I'm sure there would be lots of different clubs and societies going on there, I'd check those all out.

Good luck if you decide that's the place for you. I'd avoid Bournemouth, lovely beach, but it's gone downhill sadly.

I don’t live there but visit from time to time, and it’s def a town I would move to.
Historic, with a beautiful Abbey and the river, nice walks along it and hundreds of swans.
A vibrant HighSt with lots of shops, cafes and restaurants. Feels a very safe place too.