To move to Cornwall?

[Ansumpasty]

Name change as this is very outing for me!

I have the opportunity to move to Cornwall. My parents moved there a year ago and love it and I've fallen in love with the place. I understand that summer in Cornwall differs very much from winter there but have taken this onboard and looking at the bigger picture.
DH works away most of the time and so I'm largely alone in a distant part of the UK from Cornwall. His job is based in Holland so it's irrelevant to him where we live. It is slightly more difficult for him to get flights into Cornwall but not a massive issue. I have 2 DC, one who is 6 and going into year 2 soon and one who is 3.

Having both my parents close by again will be amazing for both me and my DC and part of me feels like this is an opportunity that cannot be missed. However, AIBU to take oldest DC out of an amazing school (best in the area) where he is very settled and happy and put him in a school that might not be very good, uprooting and unsettling him incase it all comes crashing down? I am a SAHM so my job isn't an issue.

I also worry that I won't be able to get youngest DS in the same school. He will be starting reception in a year and so I will have to be applying for his place soon, which complicates things even further.

We currently live in a large city, with plenty of jobs and prospects. There is the risk that if we settle there permanently, DC will struggle getting work as adults as I'm aware work is hard to find. I'm taking giant leaps here, though! Housing is also a hell of a lot cheaper here. We will be able to afford to buy there, albeit a smaller house.

Has anyone been in this position or is from Cornwall and can offer any advice? How is it to raise children there and settle in as an outsider? How welcoming are other school parents to outsiders, especially if in a smaller village?

We are looking at the Truro/Falmouth area...is there a particular village/school that you would recommend or avoid? Forums online seem to slate Redruth but I personally don't see anything wrong with it and the houses are much more affordable.

So basically, AIBU to uproot DC's entire lives and good education at the 'chance' of a better life and grandparents around?

[ShatnersWig]

I have to say I wouldn't do it. In the summer, it is a nightmare because of tourists and in the winter it is dead. Your children will highly likely have to move away for jobs. You say your husband getting flights into Cornwall is more difficult? I'd have said very difficult and I don't think you've really looked into that side of it properly to have said what you did.

[ShatnersWig]

I meant to say OP you said his flights would be slightly more difficult. I stand by very difficult.

[Justasec]

We did it this year, moved from populated area with great schools to be with family. Only been a short time so can't comment on winter. Settling in has been no harder than anywhere else we've lived. Do be realistic about schools (go and visit the options), but my children are happier than where they were. Depending on where you go, be prepared to online shop or travel for bigger shops. Your children are young enough to adjust, I wouldn't worry about that. Hopefully others will be along who are further down the road to comment but pm if you want to, we're close to the area you're thinking of. Good luck in your decision.

[Ansumpasty]

Yes, he would have to fly from Holland to London to Newquay. Bit of a pain in the arse but he often has to fly into London and then our local airport anyway so not a massive difference

[Ansumpasty]

Thanks, justasec, that's reassuring :)

[Fibbertigibbet]

I used to live in Cornwall (due to circumstance rather than choice, so perhaps this skews my view), and whilst I look back on it with rose-tinted glasses, I have not once ever regretted leaving.

Redruth, Camborne and the like get a bad rap because there is nothing there- they are ex-mining towns with a very small town mentality. One of the highest rates of unemployment in the UK, particularly amongst young people. Camborne for many years out of the last decade had the highest rate of teen pregnancy in Europe.

If you are looking at education and opportunities, they are hard to come by in Cornwall. Your children will likely have to move away as young adults to find employment or climb a career ladder. From my experience, there are two kinds of young people in Cornwall- those who are unemployed, and those who have already left.

That said, education and opportunity are not the only things that are parts of a happy childhood or that make up a happy life. Cornwall is beautiful, and your children would grow up with the kind of idyllic beachside childhood you are imagining- it is real! It's just not free.

[Iamchanging]

I lived there until I left home for university and haven't been able to return due to work but am desperate to. Cornwall is lovely in winter so long as you aren't in the tourist hotspots that become dead. I grew up between Truro and Falmouth and loved it, so that's a great choice. Have a look at villages like Perranwell Station, Devoran and Carbon Downs. Means you can easily get to schools in both Truro and Falmouth. I went to Truro School (private though) and it was amazing, can't comment on the other schools unfortunately. Anyway in summary, go for it and I'm bloody jealous!

[Iamchanging]

*carnon (autocorrect)

[Narnia72]

We're having the same dilemma. Sister moved down to st ives 5 years ago, they run an online business, so could run it anywhere. They have 2 kids and local school is excellent, she's a bit concerned about high school though. However, they are a very self contained couple who delight in each other's company and their little family is their world. They do have lovely friends, mainly made through the kids, but it has taken time. My parents have moved down to be near them and I am hugely envious that they have them on tap. Parents love grandchildren and are happy to help in whatever capacity, however, they have also quickly formed an active social life around their hobbies. If we were to move we would be setting up in the tourist industry. I think kids would have a fab time growing up, but don't know what they'd do as adults. They would very likely move away, and it's a long drive to Cornwall. Hopefully they'd bring their kids for holidays but would we ever see them otherwise? We are very torn as currently kids in a great school, we are close to London and have a brilliant social life. However, we're both at a crossroads with jobs and if we were going to move, now would be the time. Watching with interest

[scaryteacher]

The commute for your dh will be a total PITA. We did Brussels to Cornwall for 2 years, and ended up only seeing each other every six weeks, and that was with ds and I going to Brussels for half terms and holidays. When dh was given a second Brussels posting, ds and I moved to Brussels, as I couldn't face another 4 years of only seeing dh intermittently. Have you considered moving to the NL?

I am moving back to Cornwall in 2019 (yay), and am looking forward to being back in my house. However, we are in the Devon/Cornwall border area which gives greater opportunities for employment for me (and dh if he gets bored of retirement). There is education there, unless I was dreaming that I taught in a Cornish secondary for 5 years...Exeter uni has a couple of campuses in Cornwall and there is the University of Falmouth as well. Jobs are a different matter, and the kids I taught either joined the Forces, left for uni, or just got local jobs. One girl got a good degree in History and works at the local large super market chain.

I don't like cities particularly, so a village in Cornwall is fine for me, but it can be quiet in the winter, and damp, but never too cold, and snow is rare. The tourists can be a PITA in the summer, but if you choose where you live carefully, you can avoid them.

[OutrageousFlavourLikeFreesias]

Cornwall is beautiful, especially around Falmouth (my family are from there and live there now so I'm biased!). However, you can't underestimate how tough the economic situation is for young people. I'd also look very carefully at the schools.

There is a good reason why Redruth, Camborne etc are much cheaper than the coastal towns. As another poster said, it's because there's nothing there (even the tourists only drive through them so not even tourist £ gets spent there) and they are really struggling economically.

Finally, don't underestimate how long it takes to get anywhere in Cornwall. On paper, Falmouth to Newquay should be a nice quick journey. This is not the case. And Newquay airport gets fogged in a lot.

I love Cornwall and every part of my heart wants to move back home to where my family are, but we're waiting until the kids have finished their education.

[thisisalliwant]

We love living in Cornwall, have been here 11 years, my parents moved here 10 years before us, and holidays for at least 10 years before that. So I've had a connection for over 30 years. My kids are young and just take the weather in their stride, beach, moor or woods there is always something to do away from crazy tourists.
Personally I wouldn't live Redruth/Camborne. We live fairly rurally so driving is a necessity. If Newquay is going to feature because of the airport, look at St Columb or even Wadebridge. Both are 'towny' and have nice schools.
You don't know what your kids are going to want to do and most people move away for university, if that's the route they take, so why would living in Cornwall be a disadvantage? I find it strange that people say the young move away. Young people do don't they? Lots of posts saying parents/inlaws live 200 plus miles away, so someone obviously moved.
Sorry to be a bit rambling, slightly sleep deprived.

[ShinyTamatoa]

Actually the best state secondary school is in Camborne and they have a couple of outstanding primary schools too.

The houses are cheaper but it's close to the a30 so easy to commute for work. You don't need to live in a coastal town to be able to enjoy them.

[hooliodancer]

I am doing it! We had a sale fall through, otherwise we would already be there.

I fell in love with Cornwall in the winter, so I don't think it's dead, just peaceful!

I know a lot of people in the village we were moving to, and the only thing they don't like is the lack of jobs. Everything else they love.

I work in Holland coincidentally! I have travelled from Cornwall a few times already and have flown from both Exeter and Bristol. Exeter is so tiny, you don't have to leave so much time to get through the airport, so that sort of makes up for the time it takes to get there. Would you consider moving slightly closer to the airport so the journey was a bit more manageable? E.g. Lostwithiel, Looe area?

I so wish Newquay did flights to Amsterdam direct! You have to change at Gatwick which I haven't tried doing yet.

Your children will probably leave to go to University, but wouldn't that happen wherever you live?

[FuzzyCustard]

We did it a couple of years ago. I work from home which helps and we live in the north of the county, which is far less populated (and touristy) than the south. Public transport isn't great, but compared to the SE (from where we moved) there is so little traffic,. even in high season.

We love in in the off season. Last November I was waking the cliff path in a T shirt and shorts, the weather was so lovely. And yes, it can be wet and stormy, but it doesn't get weeks of snow as we used to get in Kent, when everything grinds to a halt and no-one is prepared.

The village we are in has a very healthy social calendar - plenty going on for all ages throughout the year.

And being close to the beaches and countryside is fabulous. Yesterday we were bodyboarding, today we are vacuuming! It's that great mix of ordinary life mixed with outdoor pleasures - we have not regretted moving here at all.

[loveka]

It is a huge decision, but it sounds like the ages of your children make this the perfect time.

I know this sounds odd, but watch a few episodes of Wanted Down Under on iplayer. Watching other peoples decision making process is very interesting.

[happypoobum]

I would not go to Redruth or any of the mining or clay towns.

Attitudes to incomers are not always that positive.

Your DC will probably want to/need to move away to get a good education or jobs.

It rains all the bloody time.

[FuzzyCustard]

Today (as yesterday) it is actually beautifully sunny and warm. Just saying....

[WiganPierre]

Yes, I would move near to my parents in a heartbeat. It's so important for the children to have a close relationship with their grandparents if they can.

[Stinkycleanhouse]

How far are you now from your parents?

[Ansumpasty]

Thanks, everyone! Given me a lot to think about. We are 8 hours away (thereabouts) at the moment.
Inlaws are in NL so it's just us here. I never have any help when DH is away which is pretty hard. Just having someone to call in an emergency would be amazing.

Very hard decision though and you've all made valid points

[Stinkycleanhouse]

If it was the difference between renting and buying I would move.
Renting can be awful, what if you had to move and couldn't find a local property?
The kids may have to move school then anyway

[Justasec]

I know just what you mean. I went from having noone as the emergency contact at school (just didn't know anyone who didn't work full time well enough) to now having three people who could collect if need be. It's made a huge difference to our lives.

[pinkdelight]

As with the Brussels lady above, I can't help thinking - is there a reason you don't move to Holland? I'd rather be closer to my DH than my parents. But guess that's not an option for some reason...?