Thinking of moving to Devon - any advice?

Ah maybe I'm getting too used to walking everywhere but an hour in the car is nothing to me! :p
 
much of the same, brought up in Barnstaple (north devon) great when you are young, rubbish when you need to get a job and house prices just being high.

So in short, no good jobs, low wages, high cost of living. Yay
 
South Devon here, living in the country has made me more receptive to city living than up for the countryside to be honest. It was depressing having to drive 20 mins just to go to the pub, and driving meant of course I couldn't drink. The best compromise is Probably Exeter. It's quite cool there, although the aforementioned problems with jobs there may cause some problems
 
I lived in Bideford for 3 years and was bored out of my skull for 99.9% of that time, led to me and my gf of 7 years splitting up.

If you're from a City its a big difference.
 
el_dazza said:
The whole county doesn't.
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Well my family moved down (from Southampton area) about 24 years ago and over the years our area (near Roadford Lake) has changed a lot, quite a bit being people moving down to the West Country for a 'slower pace of life' but then they live in the villages and drive out to Exeter/Plymouth every day and realise it's not what they expected and then move closer to the citys, removing the point of living in the middle of nowhere.

My village used to filled with old people, now it's got some old people, but a lot of young ones. I've also seen the likes of Launceston (granted it's Cornwall, but it's the same thing) change over the years from being an old local town, full of old people and decent local shops to being a young persons town full of hair salons and supermarkets. The town has also grown to about 3x the size it was 9 years ago with lots of affordable homes and first rung on the ladder places etc. which has prompted lots of people moving down, and more houses to be built for them etc.
 
See I like Launceston, we visit quite often as my gf has family down there, I prefer is to Devon tbh.

I nearly bought a house in Holsworthy, now that would have been a mistake :/
 
Doctor_Zhivago said:
Good schools and community in Britain? Madness...
Give your child a good start and move to Australia
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There are plenty of good schools and communities in the UK, there is no need to move to some island with no culture, too hot weather in the middle of nowhere.
 
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I dont understand why people are saying it's full of old people. There are a lot of young people here.
The main problem in North Devon is when your about 22/23 and trying to get onto the property ladder in North Devon its hard, as house prices are rather high.
However, there are places that you can find that are reasonable. There is lots to do, and Exeter isnt far in the car or by train, an hour is nothing.
 
Lived here all my life and love it. Grew up in Paignton (well, inbetween Paignton and Brixham to be more accurate), lived in Exeter whilst at uni there, then when finished ended up back in Paignton. Now in Torquay living somewhere I can't see us leaving for a good while yet as we love the house. Can see all over the bay from the bedroom, Berry Head etc :)

For me, I'd pick somewhere to live in the southern part, approx between Plymouth and Exeter. Loads of nice places between the 2 that are good depending on what you want from an area to live in.

Areas I'd like are Bovey Tracey, Torbay, Dawlish/Teignmouth, Exmouth, Exeter. Again depending on what you want from moving down here would help dictate where you want to go. Lots of little towns on the edge of the moors that are nice enough.

The job thing isn't too bad, what kind of career are you after/in? My other half an I have always had decent jobs, just be prepared to have to travel to Exeter or Plymouth for a lot of things.
 
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South Devon > all. Okay, the house prices are higher, but all North Devon has going for it are beaches. And I'd rather drive an hour to a beach a couple of times a month than drive an hour to work every day.
Exeter's the best place I've ever lived, it's a great little city. Slightly too many students, but you can't help that. Dawlish is nice, though on your budget you'd be better off looking just up or down the coast in Exminster or Teignmouth respectively. Exminster or Dawlish would put your kids in Dawlish Community College, which is apparently a good school getting better. Don't know about Teignmouth. In Exeter itself, St Peter's is the only good school, the rest are fairly poor.
What do you do for a living? There are jobs here - imo we've been less affected by the economy than most areas, although that could mean we're just going to get hit harder later on.
 
G|mp said:
I nearly bought a house in Holsworthy, now that would have been a mistake :/
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Yes, yes it would. That there be jannor land that be! :p

As a young child I used to go there a lot, then I went to secondary in Launceston, so different, and a much nicer place.
 
If you're bothered about schools then I can think of some good ones in Torbay. White Rock which is in an area between Paignton and Brixham always used to be quite well regarded as a primary school. And for secondaries you've got Torquay Boys/Girls or Churston Grammar schools.
 
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Born and raised in Exeter here! \o.

If you're used to the South East, i'd try and get a house near Exeter personally. North Devon is lovely for scenery etc. but the coast tends to muck the weather around, and things like shops aren't as accessible.

House prices are high down here though, you tend to pay more for the "peace and quiet". Sure, there are some dodgy places in Exeter (Rifford Road for one) but it's much, much quieter than London.

Apart from that there's not a lot to say really. If you don't like the look of Exeter, Plymouth is a nice city with plenty to offer as well, although it's further South West.

Personally, if I was given a load of cash to spend on a house in the area, i'd be looking at one of the villages/towns just outside of Exeter but close enough that it's no problem getting there. Exmouth, Crediton, Dawlish et al.
 
Born in Southampton, moved to Ilfracombe (North Devon) when I was young, and Uni in Exeter now. I don't really want to leave Devon or the South West. Much better than living in a big City.
 
Just to add;

I was born in Exeter and lived there for 10 years, I lived in several different places, including the already mentioned Exminster.
I absolutely hate the city. I hate walking through it, the whole experience to me is absolutely horrible. The people are ignorant and arrogant, they dont care if they walk into you etc etc. The chav population is stupid.
This is of course my personal opinion. My family also still have a house in Exeter, near the Tesco near Heavitree.
Riffard Road & Burnthouse Lane = MUCHLOLS.

I much prefer Barnstaple where I live now, I dont mind the small town, and I do shopping alone mainly really. Everythings nice and close, and an hour isn't really far to Exeter, I'd prefer to be closer to the beach. And the fact I can walk from my house to town in 10minutes, my house to the beach on a bus in 15-20minutes, less by car.
It's got a good little night life, especially as there is now a lot of young musical talent popping up all over the place.

I wouldn't ever move back to Exeter, ever. The only other place I would consider is Torquay, and I will probably live there, as I plan to go to the University/College (SCAT) when I finish A levels.
 
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