To give me your opinion on which of these is the best place to live...

[Funsize123]

We are moving to Cornwall next year from the south east. We’ve spent lots of time over the last ten years as DSD lives there.
Which is the best area to live: Penzance, Hayle, Penryn, Truro or Falmouth?
We have two small children. We like all of these areas but what are they actually like to live in?

[bigchris]

What I would be thinking about are job opportunities in the future for the children and schools

We are about to go into a recession unfortunately , jobs are hard to come by al year round in the areas you mention

The South East surely would have more prospects ?

Apologies if you have thought all this through but as someone who was brought up in a coastal town with not much going on all winter as soon as I was old enough I moved away to get a job

[wehaveafloater]

Depends on your need to travel anywhere during summer months, as driving anywhere each day too and from work would be better replace with a walk or cycle

[Jeezoh]

Where are you planning on working as that will impact on where is best to settle?

[Funsize123]

Both DH and I will be working remotely :)

[TankGirl97]

Falmouth is best. In Penryn you'd just want to be in Falmouth. Hayle and Penzance are a very very long way away from the rest of the country. Truro is nice but Falmouth has much more going on, as well as beaches!

[TankGirl97]

I should add, I've known people move from Penryn to Falmouth because of schools.

[LaPampa]

How often will you need to go back to the S-e? Or indeed anywhere else? And do you enjoy water based activities daily? If you don’t need to travel anywhere for work then it would depend on your housing budget and preferences for north or south coast

[1stTimeMama]

Truro for closeness to major facilities such as the hospital, shops etc. Falmouth for the coast, future uni options etc.

[LaPampa]

If you don’t need to get out of Cornwall regularly I’d say Falmouth but the road from fal to Truro and on to a30 is a pain in the dark in the winter and a pain in the summer due to volume.

[Lulu1919]

Falmouth

[bigchris]

I was more thinking of when the kids are older , getting to unis etc, or anywhere , it's a pita, where in the south east do you live ?

[Ragwort]

Falmouth

[gnomeisland]

They are all very different towns. It depends what you are looking for really.

[Lordofmyflies]

I'd choose Falmouth though it depends what you want. Truro has the best secondary schools and rail links into Devon. Also has good shopping, cinema and is a lovely town, but not on the coast.
If you want coastal, i'd go Falmouth, otherwise Truro. Though there are other coastal towns I prefer over Falmouth.

[Donut93]

I live in Penzance!
I would definitely choose Falmouth out of your selection. Penzance is so far from everything, same with Hayle.
Falmouth is in the middle and not to far from everything and it's such a lovely place, always enjoy my days out there.
But it depends what you're looking for really? They're all close to lovely beaches!

[Funsize123]

I think the most important part for us is access to a beach and some shops. We had originally agreed on penzance because we’ve spent a lot of time there with DSD so are very familiar with it but concerned about how far it is if we needed to get back for elderly parents etc. Whereabouts in Falmouth would people recommend? Which are the best schools? X

[areallthenamesusedup]

check true internet speeds where ever you look.

[VeganVeal]

Penzance is a shit hole. I'd go for Falmouth, lovely place

[LaurieFairyCake]

Are your jobs REALLY secure as if you lose your job once you've moved it's a very low employment area

[MonkeyGoneToHeaven]

Exeter

[OrangeSamphire]

Of those I'd pick Falmouth or Penzance.

Hayle is too close to all the madness of the St Ives area and A30 traffic during the summer months.

Truro is LOVELY, but you'd have to drive to a beach rather than walk.

Penryn - echo what's been said upthread.

Falmouth you have a wonderful town with an eclectic mix of independent shops and places to eat/drink, the waterfront, beach and period housing. And being a student town it has that young feel too.

Enjoy your move OP, how exciting! We moved to Cornwall nearly a decade ago and have never for a second regretted it. Lifechanging and wonderful. And our careers have not been negatively impacted by the move - there's plenty of ways to work successfully down here. We work remotely too .

[Meruem]

I grew up in a village between Penzance and Hayle and moved away at 16. People fantasize about this beachy outdoor lifestyle but, for many months of the year, there is literally nothing to do. We'd hang out on that stone bench thing at the bottom of Causewayhead for hours. It wasn't very exciting. Although more exciting than hanging out in the bus shelter in Hayle! Anyone I know with a decent job now had to move away to do so. I personally think you're putting DC at a disadvantage by moving to the South West. I don't want to offend people that live there now, it has it's good points. But I think anyone would admit it isn't the easiest place to get a decent job and it's not very lively for teenagers.