Where to live in Cornwall?

suered

ok, I'm getting a bit ahead of myself here, but at some point in the next three years I plan on giving up the ratrace in London and moving down. I know that things could change radically between now and whenever, but would be grateful to get some input on people's view on potential areas as good/bad for whatever reason as the contacts I have in Cornwall all seem diametrically opposed in their views

I have friends/relatives living in Camelford, Wadebridge, Polperro and Truro.

Wishlist: house, garden (doesn't have to be huge but with enough space for veggie plot/pretty flowers and cat to do her thing), off-street parking, enough internal wall space to house a 3000+ and still growing book collection :eek: (other people do shoes and handbags - I do books) ideally near the coast but open to persuasion

Big no-no: Economy 7 heating. Bottled gas heating. (Have heard horror stories from friends who have these). I know this limits me in a lot of areas in Cornwall. Mains gas or oil is fine - or the opportunity to switch to them.

Budget (at current prices) max £250,000

It would be great to get a feeling for areas that are majority recommended/not recommended (and why) so as to have a better idea of where to scout in person when I'm down there visiting.

Thanks, peeps

hungary97_2

Looe - good road links (once youve got to the main road) stunning location and near to Plymouth and the wonderful facilities.

Personally i would look at the south hams area of Devon (kingsbridge , darmouth totnes) for stunning views and accesible to both dartmoor and rail links and cities.

I moved from Cambridge to Plymouth nearly two years ago and although i have recently been made redundant and am struglling to find a job would never go back

naive_2

We did a similar thing just over 2 years ago and have never looked back (much to the bewilderment of my london-dwelling sister!) We spent ages umming and aahing over all the possibilities (north coast / south coast / inland / right on the edge / town / village / hamlet) and in the end came across the perfect place in a little village halfway between north and south coasts, bodmin and dartmoor are both within spitting distance and the community in the village is like nothing we've ever experienced.... ok I'll stop gushing now! One thing I would say to take in to consideration is the tourism, it gets pretty mad down here in the summer and particular towns/villages are over run which can be a bit annoying but is either something you have to learn to live with or move (or find your market and cash in!)

I wouldn't go as far as to recommend one particular place to you, nowhere is too far from anywhere else (as long as you've got good transport!), but the one thing I would say is think twice before buying a new build down here, the ones we looked at were half the size of teeny ones we'd seen up country with little or no garden and parking was for noddy sized cars!

Ok, I've waffled for long enough, good luck with it all (and don't leave it three years if possible!)

suered

Thanks, both. What you've both said just reinforces my determination to move.

Sadly, I don't think I'll be able to make it down there any sooner due to financial facts of life

The friends and rellys have warned me about the tourist season, but as they said, you just have to repeat through gritted teeth "it's only 2 months of the year, it's only 2 months of the year". They all say though that it's more than offset by the quality of life the rest of the year and I really do want to be somewhere with that community spirit.

Any other ideas as to areas to look at on my interim visits all gratefully received.

MJMum

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suered

MJMum, yup - the job availability/salary scales is one of the reasons I can't go above £250 (and would prefer much less) - it's all being done on anticipated price differential between London (edge of Olympics) and Cornwall, plus, cross fingers, I will just about have cleared my mortgage by then. And, as I will be moving down on my own, would like to be within fairly easy reach of the friends/rellies for those moments when you just HAVE to unload on someone and have them pass the wine bottle.

I plan on avoiding the A30 during July and August - maybe doing a reverse hibernation and leave the angst to the people who no doubt will conceive a sudden desire to come visit me.

DKLS

Dont go anywhere near Redruth, hellish place

saxy1

Truro is lovely, but my favourite place is undoubtedly Porthleven, absolutely gorgeous.

Agree about Redruth though (sorry Redruth!!)

suered

Okaay - Redruth is definitely crossed off. Any others I should add to the "not with a bargepole" list?

I'm getting mixed messages from friends about the St Austell area - historically not recommended because of the claypits, but now up for regeneration?

Thanks again.

edda

Truro has just been named as having the fastest increase in house prices in the county - v. popular for people to move to (city advantages etc). So it may be too expensive if you wait 3 years.

saxy1

I personally like St Austell, have been visiting since i was about 10! (quite a while ago!!) Have a look at their website - http://www.staustelltown.co.uk/