Where to live in Cornwall?

cajef

I lived near Redruth for thirteen years and my daughter still lives there, like all places it has its bad points and its good and there are some decent places within close proximity of the town.

The bad are it is an old industrial and tin mining area so care is needed looking for property in that area and a search must be made for old mine shafts near any property you are considering.

The good are the fact that it is central for some lovely areas of Cornwall such as Falmouth, Truro, Newquay, Penzance, The Lizard and St. Ives and property in the Redruth area is comparatively a lot cheaper than in the pretty and more touristy areas.

Unfortunately property prices in Cornwall have rocketed this last few years and for £250k you are not going to get a lot in one of the 'nicer areas' so I would not be too hasty in crossing Redruth and Camborne off your list.

suered

Again, thanks to all. At the moment, I think my preference is more villagey areas, but yes, have noticed huge price differences between coastal and inland and Truro and other larger towns. And who knows what will have happened to the property market by the time I'm in a position to move.

It's also so difficult to try and pick an area when you just don't know the (greater) area. For example, I lived in Brixton for a couple of years - never had any problems and loved it at the time - whereas someone moving from outside London would probably never have considered it. This is why I'd really like suggestions from people who actually KNOW!

I'm just so fed up with the daily levels of aggression/pollution, etc in London that I've got a future fairytale "and they all lived happily ever after" fantasy constantly running in my mind and the lunchtime property search is pretty much what's keeping me sane

courtjester

hungary97 wrote: »

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.

Trouble is the South Hams, particularly the coastal fringe, is now one of the most expensive places to buy in the country! Nevertheless, like you I am a great fan of South Devon (well ...all of Devon actually).

Going further West into Cornwall will certainly make the budget go further.

hungary97_2

re tourist season

Yes the roads do get busier but not as busy as the sout east/london

you get to laugh at the tourists driving and at the same time feel a smugness as you see them trundle back up the A38/A30 home knowing that you still live here.

living in plymouth i am not as affected as other areas but we just dont head into cornwall on the saturday change over times to avoid congestions. Yes on the dual carriage ways during the rest of the period you spend your life overtaking caravans but it makes a change from the tractors and again you get to use the smug factor.

And you get the facilities for the rest of the year Dartmoor is stunning in the winter and Autumn are my favourite times of year.

If you get annouyed being stuck in traffic it soon fades round here (but rather than tourists it is usually cows or sheep or dartmoor ponies) when you get to look at stunning views.

The other thing you have to watch is feb/march time when pre the touruist season every road that needs repiared is dug up so your usual route may be impossible or delayed.

One other thing to keep in mind althugh living in the middle of nowhere is aeverones dream at the moment coming from living in a big city it may actaully not be for you. Therefore do not rule out the larger towns and cities. For example i live a 3 minute walk from the sea can drive to both the beaches and dartmoor within 5 miles and am only a 5 minute walk from the city centre.

For example their are currently 280 properties in a ten mile radius of plymouth on sale between 230 - 250K on rightmove you could have a four bedroom detached property with far reaching views over the tamar and dartmoor in gunislake, a 1600's 3 bedroom detached property in the coastal village of wembur, or a 2 bedroom recently built penthouse flat in plymouth with extensive sea view.

suered

hungary97, yup - the road stuff is 100% what my friends have warned me about - apart from when the powers that be have a REALLY good idea and schedule them for slap bang in the middle of the tourist season (friend in Camelford is currently frothing at the mouth over this).

I don't want to live in the middle of nowhere, I know that much. Ideally a village with at least a pub and corner shop for when you run out of milk but again, within reasonable distance of a bigger town for library and other food shopping. Or possibly on the edges of a bigger place. I don't do shopping for shopping's sake so wouldn't be too bothered on that front. I grew up in a village with newsagent/grocer/chemist/general store inc butcher/pub about half a mile away and bigger towns about 5/6 miles each side, so would be quite happy with that. And, if the hills aren't too big, would hope to carry on cycling to work too.

Extensive research to be done come June/July It may happen a bit sooner than I was thinking as my neighbour has just managed to break the stamp duty barrier selling his flat - and mine's bigger

motch

We've just come back from a week staying in north Cornwall, between Boscastle and tintagel and the scenary around there was fantastic, lots of lovely coastal walks and hidden valleys / tracks. Didn't come across any slow drivers either like i do in essex which was handy, probably different in the peak season though. Enjoyed it.

Noozan

MJMum wrote: »

I grew up in the far South-West of Cornwall. Tha main problem was that it was soooooo far from anywhere. Road links have improved but the A30 still grinds to a halt around Indian Queens every summer, so I'd suggest staying east of there ;)quote]

I grew up in SW Cornwall too!

The new A30 bypass is due to open in August this year; at least that's what all the signs say.

Noozan

DKLS wrote: »

Dont go anywhere near Redruth, hellish place

I grew up in Redruth

MJMum

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mchu6am4

The nearer to seaside, the better!