To want to retire to Devon (from London suburbia)

We did a big downsize & relocation during lockdown 3+hrs from where we used to live, we waited till DS1 had finished college and DS2 had finished school. We now live on the outskirts of a city, before we lived semi rural. By far the best thing we ever did, no regrets whatsoever. We are all very happy.

My friend was also wanting to sell up and move to Cornwall, she visited during winter and decided for many reasons that it wasn’t the right move for her.

I would suggest visiting out of season, hire airbnb, visit areas that you have researched. DH looked into everything when we moved, weather, crime stats, best areas, a lot of desk research which really helped us to plan.

The short answer is you will never know unless you try it, I am risk adverse and the move was probably the bravest thing I did tbh, still can’t believe we actually did it after being in our family home for nearly 18 years! Someone said to me, what’s the worse thing that could happen? You hate it and then you move again. This comment put me in a different mindset, that any move doesn’t have to be forever.

Good luck OP.

My Gran lived in Devon so I spent lots of time there as a child, and really loved it. However, my concern would be how far away it is. At this stage you don’t know where your kids will end up, but chances are it’ll be a long way from Devon, especially when you consider how busy the motorways to Devon are.

if it were me I’d look at more central rural areas, that are more easily accessible from the rest of the UK. Or at least Somerset rather than Devon.

Making friends in the south west takes time as well OP, just to prepare you. My husband and I (far from retirement at 30) live in Somerset, and have been here 2 years.

We started off meeting neighbours. Then a few people through neighbours. Down the pub. At local fairs and events.

After 2 years, I’d say we know about 10 people in the town well, and 6 of those are friends that we go to for dinner/drinks/games nights. But I wouldn’t consider any of them close friends.

Fitting in in the south west takes time, and requires you to be proactive and put yourself out there. Just thought I’d flag as a lot of people move down here (I’m born and raised in Devon, it’s not much different to Somerset), and then describe the area as insular and parochial, when I’d say the culture combined with fewer social opportunities is what causes the process of making friends to be slower.

My parents did. It largely worked out well for them, they were still working age when they moved so met plenty of people.

Now, a few decades on it’s an absolute pain for us DC who are required for caring and support in old age. Luckily, like you they do have some family support but still.

Also ditto all above about long drives to get anywhere. And it’s very busy in the summer and frankly not enough culture for me. But hey, it’s an option if you want it.

As long as you're honest with yourself about what you're looking for and realistic about the lifestyle you're likely to live, rather than a fantasy life, then the move will be fine.

Some of my relatives retired to a rural area and love it, but they say there are other people who have done the same and spend their days moaning at the local coffee mornings about the limited bus service, tractors and that they have to drive to the supermarket/cinema etc. You'd have thought they considered this before moving to a rural village but apparently not.

We moved a few years ago ( although not Devon but a coastal area ) we've stayed as we have enjoyed it but it does take some getting used to.
Things we'd not anticipated , not much choice for getting listed with a Dr / dentist , our dentist is a 50 mile round trip.
Be prepared to travel for a decent sized supermarket which for us is a 60 mile round trip.
Diy is harder , less shops available , ditto places like timber merchants , decorating shops , furniture shops etc .
Getting used to less things around to do, for example where we lived before we could travel / visit places for day trips in a large 360° radius . When you live on the coast in a rural area you have 180° as you have the sea (if you get what I mean.)
Summers lovely , winters can be long and harder.

Just spend lots of time down there, you will be retired you can spend weeks down there at a time.

The being isolated if anything happens would be my biggest concern.

Which London suburb … sounds like mine, although it prob describes most of them to be fair.

I would worry that the pace of life in Devon would bore me after living near London. Also how often will you see your boys if they’re up here? Potential grandkids? I know they could up and move anywhere but it’s with thinking about.