Who lives in the West Country on here?

boogieman

Looking for some advice. Long story short, Bride of Boogie owns the house we live in now. We've been married a couple of years and we've done work and redecorated it throughout but although it's changed and isn't "hers" anymore I've never felt really comfortable here.

So we're debating a move sometime in the future. My stepson and his wife are thinking of going to the West Country in the next couple of years so it would be nice to be reasonably close to them: we're thinking either Somerset or the east side of Devon. From a quick scout round on Rightmove we'd also get a much nicer (and detached) house and could bank a fair chunk of money into the bargain.

Thing is I know very little about either of the counties, I've only been on holiday there. For instance we were in Totnes recently and that seemed pretty nice but I don't know the downsides, if there are any.

So, anywhere in these counties we should definitely avoid? Anywhere that's particularly good, for whatever reasons? We're both been townies all our lives, so we wouldn't want to be anywhere really remote. I guess somewhere close to a small market town would be ok. Budget would ideally be max £500k. 

simonk

Lots to be had around Exeter at the moment... lovely part of the world.

boogieman

simonk said:

Lots to be had around Exeter at the moment... lovely part of the world.

Ta. My stepson might end up working round that way, so that's worth knowing. 

VimFuego

we're way out in NW Devon (we wante very, very remote and rural) about an hour ish from Exeter. The main thing to remember about living down here is you are an awful long way from everywhere else. For example, we were closer to Bristol when we lved in S Herts than we are now, but we would find it hard now to move to somewhere more "connected".

However, one of the joys of living down here is that even if you live in a city, you're only a few mins drive from proper countryside and really nice coast.

boogieman

VimFuego said:

we're way out in NW Devon (we wante very, very remote and rural) about an hour ish from Exeter. The main thing to remember about living down here is you are an awful long way from everywhere else. For example, we were closer to Bristol when we lved in S Herts than we are now, but we would find it hard now to move to somewhere more "connected".

However, one of the joys of living down here is that even if you live in a city, you're only a few mins drive from proper countryside and really nice coast.

That last paragraph is what appeals Vim, my wife particularly loves the coast.  Tbh we're both of an age where we're really not that bothered about being "connected". Although there would be a few things we'd miss about living near London, mainly the museums and galleries, ultimately we both think we'd be happy to trade that for a nicer house and a general better quality of life. 

VimFuego

yeah, museums etc are something we really miss living down here.

being biased I know but I would say the north coast is nicer and less crowded, but that does mean you end up being that much further from stuff. I guess being in the region of somewhere like South Molton, Tiverton, Crediton etc puts you in fairly easy reach of the coast and Exeter, as well as being a good bit closer to the "mainland" than we are. If we were chosing again, that's probably would chose.

mgaw

I live in between Bude and Bideford quite close to @VimFuego perhaps?  lovely place to live but defo out on a limb, personally i think @simonk  made a good shout as Exeter is very nice as is the surrounding area, airport good trains motorway all close by as is the countryside and coast...

VimFuego

@mgaw we're a ways in land, about 1/2 way twixt Holsworthy and Okehampton, but we both like that stretch you're on. If we were ever to move, that probably would be where we'd look.

simonk

We live on farmland in a little village called Kennford which is around 10 minutes from central Exeter. Beaches, Dartmoor, shopping and pretty much all you could want is 10 to 30 minutes away, with further afield destinations easily accessible via the M5, train lines, Exeter and Bristol airports. It really is lush and looks like this:

http://i.imgur.com/YKjYT7h.jpg

I'm from London originally and have to say I don't miss it at all.

tone1

I'm South Dartmoor, Bovey Tracey area. ''Tis proper lovely 

koneguitarist

Dorset for me, all benefits of west country scenery yet close enough to nip to Big city's within an hour or so. 
Only a couple of hours to London or Cornwall. 

mgaw

we should perhaps have a get together us west country FB's 

simonk

mgaw said:

we should perhaps have a get together us west country FB's 

Yeah, and drink zider!

starwarsnosebleed

Proper job

boogieman

koneguitarist said:

Dorset for me, all benefits of west country scenery yet close enough to nip to Big city's within an hour or so. 
Only a couple of hours to London or Cornwall. 

I have a particularly mad ex g/f who lives in Swanage, so maybe that county's best avoided. 

boogieman

So is there anywhere that should be avoided in Somerset or Devon? I had a mate who moved to Weston Super Mare and heard that it wasn't a very nice place, but that was 30 years ago and it might be better now. I guess a lot of the coastal towns get absolutely rammed with tourists during the high season though ? 

ESBlonde

It's not the distance to travel so much as the roads. It doesn't look far on a map but don't expect to get anywhere in a hurry if used to other parts of the country. In the holiday season all bets are off and avoid the rush hour in most small towns. Once used to it its no bother but can be a culture shock. 

tone1

East Devon, though beautiful is a bit 'God's waiting room'
South Devon near Torbay can get very tourist heavy in the Summer. You mentioned Totnes which has its own currency (Totnes pound) You don't have to have a Citroen 2cv to live there, but it helps) think Swampy the eco warrior!
It can get very wet down here, with  Britain getting a lot of westerly prevailing weather. But at least it's warm rain.
South Hams is Mega bucks with some villages mostly all 2nd homes.
Mid Devon...again stunning countryside but not much to do and Devon has the most miles of road of any County in Britain, and Public transport a bit thin in the ground.
North Devon can get busy with traffic but the roads are being improved around Barnstaple for example. Some stunning beaches and coastline 

Jimbro66

Another vote for Exeter. Most beyond that is very attractive but remote. I speak as someone who lived 105 miles beyond for ten years and Exeter seemed like the start of civilisation. It's also a great vibrant city, well placed for major roads as well as coast and countryside. Also good for your stepson work-wise. And there's Mansons and others to help fulfill your GAS

boogieman

Jimbro66 said:

Another vote for Exeter. Most beyond that is very attractive but remote. I speak as someone who lived 105 miles beyond for ten years and Exeter seemed like the start of civilisation. It's also a great vibrant city, well placed for major roads as well as coast and countryside. Also good for your stepson work-wise. And there's Mansons and others to help fulfill your GAS

My stepson and his wife both work for the NHS (project planning manager and nurse specialist respectively) so Exeter looks a good bet for work for the pair of them. 

Thanks for all the advice chaps, plenty of food for thought there and I guess a good nose round the area is the next step. 

Jimbro66

boogieman said:

My stepson and his wife both work for the NHS (project planning manager and nurse specialist respectively) so Exeter looks a good bet for work for the pair of them.

In that case they'd have even more work options as, apart from Exeter itself, it's not that far to commute to Plymouth where there is Derriford and all the health support services that go with it. Living in/near Exeter and commuting to Plymouth would be preferable to the other way round.