Where is nice to live in and around Exeter?

[Ridersofthestorm]

I'm not really sure I am posting this in the right section but I'll give it a go.
Myself, dp and ds are planning on moving to Devon next year. We have our sights set on Exeter and I would really appreciate some advice on where are the best areas to live, places to avoid and good schools.
We are looking at Exeter itself and allowing a radius of about ten miles outside of the city. We really just need good road links for dp to get to work and within a easy distance of the city? We are open to options since we are a bit clueless haha . Our price range for a house is about from £150,000 upwards to £200,000.
We did like Topsham, St Leonard's and Pennsylvania but thought it was a bit too expensive for what we are after.
Are there another places that are just as nice? Again it doesn't have to be right in the city centre.
Thanks x

[gruffalocake]

St Leonard's is the top choice but I think Heavitree is a great second option. It has Ladysmith primary schools which were outstanding last time I looked and St Michael's primary is good but has a lovely vibe. St. Peter's is the top secondary and I think Heavitree is mostly in the catchment. I think you would compromise on size and/or outside space in your budget but it is definitely doable and cheaper than St L.

A lot of people go for St Thomas as the most affordable option but Exeter had terrible flooding recently and St Thomas is the most prone so I would avoid. Maybe Higher St Thomas is ok but not v inspiring. Lower Pennsylvania is way to studenty and higher Pennsylvania a bit out of the way.

I think the only area to seriously avoid is Burnthouse lane and surrounding but Exeter is pretty low crime area and feels very safe.

Outside Exeter east is considered nicest but that also is reflected in prices. Clyst st Mary can be convenient for met office and business parks if you work there. I hear the primary there is also good.

Credit on is west, so less sought after but great value for money I think although unsure on schools!

Hope that helps! Exeter is amazing place to live, we hope to move back sometime soon!

[Ridersofthestorm]

Thanks gruff for your detailed reply that's great . We are both going to Exeter next month to start looking and we wanted to go to specific areas rather than just wonder round. I will certainly take your advice and have a good look around the places you have suggested. I can also in the mean time check out the schools on the web. X

[PootlePosyPerkin]

I read your title and came on to suggest Topsham . Beautiful little place & very accessible but, as you say, I think you would struggle to buy a house there on your budget. Have you considered Starcross or Dawlish? Or are they too far out for you?

I only suggest Dawlish as I have the dream of moving there one day (if only DH had a more transferable job) .

Good luck with it. Exeter is a lovely city, I go there regularly and the atmosphere is so laid back & relaxed compared to the grubby cities and towns we have up here (Midlands). I am quite jealous .

[HalfSpamHalfBrisket]

What about Woodbury? My friend lives there - she loves it, though it may be beyond your budget?

[Ridersofthestorm]

Hi Halfspam yeah my dp's work contact had suggested Woodbury too, it's meant to be really nice. Again it's all down to what we can afford but it's great to have so many suggestions ill keep adding them to the list. Thank you x

[Ridersofthestorm]

Hi pootle I'm sorry I did reply to your message but it seems to not be on here?? What's happened there? Stupid phone
Thanks for your message, I did say that I thought about starcross but I don't know what it's like, is it nice. Dawlish is beautiful but a bit too far down for us. X

[PootlePosyPerkin]

There's not much at Starcross but it's a very pretty little place - right by the sea. It's only a hop, skip & jump from Dawlish though, so may be a little far for you.