Anyone live in Stoke Gabriel? Or moved to Devon with kids?

[beeg79]

Hi everyone,

My husband and I are very interested in moving from London to Devon with our children, who are 2 and 4. We'd like a lively village, preferably with a school, pub and shop. We like the area around Totnes a lot, and Stoke Gabriel seems to be a lovely place with a lot going on.

I'd love to hear from anyone who lives there what it's like, how it is bringing up children there etc?

Also, from anyone who has moved anywhere in Devon with children, and how you have got on.

I'm massively excited, but also quite realistic about the potential downsides, so it would be really interesting to hear people's experiences.

B

[onestepbeyond]

Hi B. I don't know Stoke Gabriel that well but have always thought it looks lovely. Totmes is ideally placed for trips to torbay or plymouth but watch out for the tourist traffic, it's horrendous trying to get through totnes in summer. We moved to the outskirts of Plymouth and have a 3yr old and a 10wk old. Absolutely love it down here - loads to do (if the weather's nice!).

[CaptWingoBings]

Where is nice around Plymouth onestepbeyond?

[onestepbeyond]

There's loads of lovely villages up on the moors but they're probably a bit quiet if you want somewhere lively.
Yealmpton is very nice, Kingsbridge, Buckland Monachorum, Sparkwell and Wembury are all some of my favourites. It depends on whether you prefer the sea or the moors and how far you want to be from nearest big town/city and if you are bothered by a tourist influx in the summer!

[beeg79]

Thanks so much onestepbeyond - useful feedback. Did you know anyone in the area before you moved there? It looks wonderful for kids, but I'm wondering if it's madness to move away from family and friends

[DevonMum2014]

Hi, I live in Stoke Gabriel. I moved here from London. I miss London, friends and family so much and I hope not to be here forever, simply whilst the children are young (3 and 4 and plan to move before they leave primary). We are very happy here but it doesn't offer the same diversity or opportunities for Children that London or villages in or around London do. It is a totally different lifestyle and whilst it suits many it doesn't suit all. I would say, if you are happy to have a very quiet village life then go for it, if you think you'll need more and a bit of anonymity, head for a town or stay nearer to London. Also worth knowing that you will lose financially if you head this way. Sorry, don't mean to be negative. We love it, it has many amazing up sides but I am looking forward to moving my family back to 'real' life before I have to start offering up a taxi service! Stoke Gabriel itself is a little 'honey-pot' village and offers much but people move here to live a very quiet life and that's exactly what you'll get. It's like being on holiday all the time with cliques and gossip. It's wonderful but don't move unless you are aware of the negatives of village life. Having said all of this I'm not sure that the negatives on village life are greater than the negatives of London life. Bringing children up here, especially young ones is stress free and relaxing compared to London. Also there is something much more wholesome and innocent about it. It's really worth being sure, that's all I'm saying and you are doing exactly the right thing investigating and considering all options. Had I known all of this I wouldn't be discovering it with disappointment, I'd know it and I'd accept it more. Anyway, GOOD LUCK :-)

[beeg79]

Hi DevonMum,
Thanks so much for taking the time to respond! I will send you a PM – I hope that’s OK.
Bee

[Ankiz71]

Hello B

We are planning to move to Stoke Gabriel from Brighton next year with our 5 and 3 year old. We love the village when we visit but don't know anyone so its going to take some courage to uproot - just wondering if you made the move?!

Thank you

A

[beeg79]

Hello there,

No not yet - although still strongly considering it! It is utterly idyllic there - it just feels a long way from family.

Best of luck with your move.

B

[beeg79]

A - I'm going to try to send you a private message in a sec. B