Nice large villages/small towns in Devon

[Progress2019]

I posted something like this recently, but no one replied.

We’re looking to relocate to Devon in the next year or so and are busy exploring.

We’d like 4 bedrooms, preferably detached, and a garden. Ideally within about 40 minutes of Exeter.

I really like larger villages or smaller towns, the kind that have a few shops, post office, pub etc. It doesn’t have to be coastal. Max budget £400,000 but preferably less.

So far we think central, south or east Devon would suit us most

I’d love ideas for where to explore next. Please help!

As with any town, which side of Exeter do you want to commute to? Then look on that side of town (to save you commuting across town during rush hour on a regular basis).

To start you off - Crediton, Topsham.

Bovey Tracey
Ashburton

Honiton
Ottery st Mary

Exmouth, Topsham, Sidmouth. What are your other priorities? Children, teens, transport, work, uni.

Thank you for those! Honiton, Ottery and Crediton we’ve already looked at. Particularly liked .

I’ve looked at them all on Rightmove. There’s nothing for sale in our price range in Topsham or Ashburton at the moment but will keep a look out, and we’ll check out Bovey Tracey when we go down next weekend.

Do any of you know North Tawton, Seaton or Colyton? We’ve visited them all and they seem lovely.

The being close to Exeter thing isn’t really important. It’s not for work (we work from home), but for picking up our kids from the station when they come down.

The other thing, is we really don’t want to live on a new build estate, only because we’re on one now and want a real change.

Totnes has a nice, creative buz to it, with friendly people and lots going on.

I’d think about what you do on your downtime/ leisure - do you want moors or open countryside to walk on, theatres to see things, near to the beach to play in the sea? Those villages all offer different things. Do you want to have busy social life, lots of clubs to join or prefer quiet space. Look at local town Facebook groups get a vibe for things. Do you need access to regular hospital services, the big ones can be an hr plus drive away. Is having a cycle path near by important? Look on Sustrans for routes.

Whimple - green and pretty but not too remote, nice mix of people, on the Waterloo line

This is near Ottery
www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-80056625.html

Look at weather patterns too - I wouldn’t live in Ashburton again if you paid me as it rained a lot due to the clouds hitting Dartmoor and dumping.

There are some nice places to live around the Devon/Dorset/Somerset borders within easy reach of Exeter. Seaton and Beer are nice, as is Bridport which is just over the border in Dorset. It has a really nice vibe, regular markets, a theatre, nice town centre, dining etc. and is close to West Bay for the beach. Axminster is very affordable and although it's in Devon, it's 10 minutes fro Lyme Regis in Dorset and 5 minutes to the A35 that takes you to Dorchester in one direction and Exeter in the other.

Agree Topsham is absolutely lovely, but it’s v expensive to buy there. We definitely would if we could afford it!
Sandford, just outside Crediton is also really nice (my DM lives there and loves it). It is a quiet village though so not loads to do in the evenings, though there are sometimes events in the pub or village hall.

Thank you so much. DH would hate constant rain so it’s a good thing ashburton is too expensive.

I liked Totnes when we went there a few weeks ago. Lovely shops, and quite eccentric people. If I remember, it was right at the top end of our budget and no way am I cool enough to fit in there.

Not looking for anything massively social. A pub would be nice, but I never go to the pub here. I might join the WI (although, again, I’ve never joined here). I’d be up for a craft group or something like that.

We like walking, inland and at the coast, but we don’t have a dog so it doesn’t have to be right outside the door.

I’m going to check all these other places on rightmove and add them to my list.

Thank you all, any more are very welcome. We’ve got three more weekends of Airbnb exploration booked before July!

I would love to live in East Budleigh, just outside Budleigh Salterton, which is also nice but much bigger. I’m also a fan of Sidmouth and it’s surrounding villages.

Sidmouth is lovely, but beyond our budget, and it turns out East Budleigh, Budleigh Salterton and Whimple are too.

What I’m learning today is that house prices in Devon are pretty much the same as they are where we are (45 minutes on the train from London). Its so beautiful though.

Topsham will definitely be outside your budget. To be honest you are going to struggle to get 4 beds in an acknowledged “nice” location within 40 minutes of Exeter. As you’ve identified, a lot of people in the SE are shocked by how little their money buys in Devon.

What about Cullumpton? I stayed in a holiday let there a few years ago on the outskirts and liked having a big Tesco nearby and some shops. Quick look ok Rightmove and house prices for 4 beds are around £375

So beautiful and so short of NHS dentists

Beaminster, broadwinsor, misterton, mosterton. Notdevon but Somerset/Dorset has crewkerne as a train station on the Exeter line. Lots of house for money.
30 mins to beaxh

Beach

Yes, the house prices in Devon/Somerset aren't that cheap (one of several reasons why I moved away ).

Have a look in the EX15 and EX16 postcode areas. Places like Culmstock, Hemyock, Uffculme. Not sure about Cullompton or Tiverton themselves but surrounding areas.

I have a soft spot for Honiton. It’s not that expensive? And Crediton too.

45 minutes from Exeter, but Plymouth is closer for trains....have you considered Tavistock? Stannary town, easy access to the moor and the coast. Great food, independent butchers, great cheese shop, couple of delis, pannier market open Tuesday to Saturday.

Shops range from small independents to White Stuff, Crew and Fatface. Three opticians, several shoe shops, Boots, Smith's. A couple of great cafes...easy access to Cornwall as well. I love it and would be happy to live there again.

For stations we find Honiton easier to get to than Exeter due to traffic and we're coming through London. Make sure you ask locals about flood risk etc when buying.

Yes to PP. Wherever you move to, keep your old dentist.

Look at Tavistock.