Advice wanted re moving to Devon or Cornwall?

neas

Live in plymouth..

I've got a reasonable job so do ok, but typically people down here think ~18-20k is a 'good' salary.... but house prices for a decent 3 bed semi in a reasonable area are approaching 200k a time.... What you find is a fair few people move down to retire and live the high live. IN my 5 years living here... we've had 2-3 good summers (this one looking like one of them).... whereas last year it rained for an entire summer. In plymouth it seems to rain alot.... but if you like rambling, walking or seaside/boats etc then its a good area.

You've got dartmoor nearby, lots of little beaches etc... but the thing is... this isn't southern france or spain... its generally not that warm to go to the beach every week.

As pastures new put it.... the water rates are stupid here. On a meter using minimal amounts for 2 people we pay 500 quid or so a year... i'd estimate that at 1k for a family of 4. SW water always put prices up... and with no competition to constrain them we are at their mercy.

I'd try and find a 'good' job down here as opposed to just moving. Its akin to moving to china or thailand with no money.... you will get paid the same low wage the locals get and will not 'live the high life'.

martindow

Sorry duplicate post

not_loaded

As regards property, I’ve had family in the West Country for decades. Personally I wouldn’t live there myself, but I can see the attractions. You need to be really sure that it’s for you.

Looking at Torbay, I’m currently selling my mum’s 2-bed ground floor flat (fixer upper) for £85k. £10k to £15k would modernise it, £10k cosy, £15k super duper. I know the market down there, and loads of sellers are being VERY unrealistic with their pricing, so spend time getting to know the market before wading in.

Near to my mum’s a three-bed maisonette (two floors) in ‘cosy’ condition comes in at £130k. Both of these are close to the town so there’s no need to get in the car for a bit of shopping. Eating out is fairly cheap compared to the southeast, but the influx of visitors is definitely something to consider.

Up a bit from that are the 3 and 4-beds at say £200k for a 4-bed semi with off road parking.

One thing I really like about that area is you often get excellent room sizes for your money. The older property has high ceilings and period features too. Personally I’d choose inland a bit, Newton Abbott or Totnes, somewhere like that. Bear in mind that the moors can be very bleak in the winter.

Good luck!

Devontrish

We get a fair few power cuts here...which just happened when i was about to send a post here and now I have to re-write the whole thing!!! Rolly eyes and sigh!!!!
I moved down to North Devon ten years ago, and to be honest I would not live anywhere else! The lifestyle is laid back (can be a little bit too laid back if you are used to things being done instantly!) the people are lovely, the surroundings are amazing and there is work here if you want it (and aren't too fussy!) If you don't know where you want to live in Devon then I would recommend privately renting, and then you can suss out the area and decide where to live permenantly. There are always loads of places to rent, and even more over the winter when holiday homes go for 6 months lets.
Downsides...same as have already been mentioned...you need to get used to driving a fair distance to get anywhere, and petrol prices are a little higher here. House prices are a bit lower at the moment, but still high compared to other parts of the country, and the "fixer-upper" houses are getting more difficult to find due to developers...but a bargain can still be found I am sure!
Its the best thing i did for my family, I had 3 kids when i moved here and although they can't wait to "get out" I know they will be back!!! I now have 4 kids, am a single mum and have 2 jobs and I don't do too badly, although I am on a higher wage than most as I work for the council...virtually impossible to get a job with them now though so I am lucky!
Whatever you decide good luck with it...and if you need any "inside" knowledge from this part of Devon, then let me know!!!!!

(Now to post...hopefully the electric will not go off again!!!)

longtimelurker_2

I was raised in Torquay (from age 2 -> when I went to uni). While it's nice to visit my parents, and I love Devon as a whole very much, I would urge you to strike Torquay off your list of potential moves! It's degenerated significantly in recent years and even as a young person I hate going out at night - full of drunks and roaming anti-socialites. There are regularly cars set alight in my parents' road, drunks !!!!ing in their garden, teenagers shouting at my mum when she goes to the shop. And they don't live in the 'bad' parts!!

spirit

Hi all,

well I've not made it down to Devon yet to look around, I've been home here painting 2 of the bedrooms, hall/stairs/landing and the sitting/dining room. Yesterday I had a guy - who funnily enough is relocating here from Ilminster, to fit 7 new internal doors. so now I'm going round painting them all!

I've got some more time off booked at the end of next week so intend to go down then. An agent has sent me a wad of properties to look at around the Bideford area. There's one in particular which looks very nice. 3 bed end terrace, newish looking upvc windows, nice conservatory and gardens and is on for £153,500. The same type of house here in Berkshire would be on for around £220,000. So my selling/buying/ mortgage free figures would stack up.

But what's Bideford like?

Davesnave

spirit wrote: »

Hi all,
But what's Bideford like?

Bideford is a little less thriving than its close neighbour, Barnstaple, but I like it. East the Water is less desirable than west, but someone will be on here soon to say that's rubbish, I'm sure!

Around Bideford, you have some more expensive enclaves, notably Appledore, where the cuteness factor reigns. Avoid Westward Ho! at all costs, but Northam is OK.

From Bideford you have longer access times to sandy surf beaches like Woolacombe, Croyde and Saunton, both north of Barnstaple, but then faster access to the sands at Widemouth and Bude. Scenery inland from both towns is pretty good. There are still traditional markets in both towns and a fair smattering of cultural events in the area. Bideford has a mini out of town shopping area Atlantic Village, and Barnstaple has all the big multiples on its periphery

Certainly, it's a good area. Wages & employment only so-so, perhaps, but enough variety to find a niche, I'm sure.