Please tell me what it’s like living in Bideford.

[UnitedRoad]

We want to relocate to Devon and have pretty much narrowed down our search to Bideford, possibly East-the-water. We’re not 100% decided, but we do like how near it is to the sea and countryside, and also has all the shops we need, either there or nearby, also the house prices.

Obviously we’ve been down to visit several times, but would really welcome some more insights, or ideas of similar places we might have missed.

It might just be two adults, but could potentially be our daughters too. We’d be buying a house big enough, just in case. The 18 year old is very keen but currently shares a house with her friends. The 21 year old lives at home but is looking for work and accommodation in London. We’re downsizing from north east Hampshire and would like to become mortgage free. I work from home and husband is self employed.

I’m not exactly sure what I’d like to know. Anything is would be good.

I don’t drive so might need buses?
Are there any craft or book groups? Or U3A (although I’m not sure how old you have to be)
Are people friendly (I know this is such a stupid question)?
Is it true that you pay double for water in Devon and Cornwall?
My daughter’s used to living in a small town and having to travel to the cinema or a nightclub. Is that the same here?
How busy does it get in the height of summer?
Husband is saying he’ll watch Bideford AFC. He seems quite excited about this!

Sorry for all the stupid questions

A slight disclaimer to my post that I haven't lived there in 10 years so my information might be a bit out of date:

It's really far away from everywhere, if you want to see a vaguely popular band/comedian/show you've got to Exeter/Plymouth/Bristol

Public transport isn't great, when I was a teenager we'd get the bus to Barnstaple to the nearest cinema which took 45mins and the last bus was about 9pm so we often had to leave before the end. Nearest train in Barnstaple only goes to Exeter and takes an hour.

Beautiful beaches and countryside nearby but this makes it busy in the summer, you still need to drive to most beaches so you're stuck with the tourist traffic

Quite artsy/quirky, lots of slightly lentil weavy types (I don't mean this in a negative way)

The only state secondary school has a huge catchment area and real mixed bag of pupils, it was not great when I went there but I would hope it has improved since then. It's a long walk from east the water but plenty of kids do it.

Limited options for college/6th form.

A bit 'insular', a lot of people who've never really left the area, plus a lot of people who have relocated from London 'for a better lifestyle'

The people are mostly very friendly and it's quite safe

Lots of nice cafes and a better selection of shops the last time I visited (2 years ago) then when I live d there.

Overall I would say it's a lovely place, if you have young children and like an outdoorsy lifestyle it's great, or if you're older and like a fairly quiet life, I wouldn't say it's great for teenagers although if they love surfing they might find more to do.

Sorry I misread how old your daughter is so ignore the bit about schools!

Thank you @BigRedBoat that’s all brilliant information.

I don’t mind being far away from everything. We live 45 minutes on the train from London, but I don’t know the last time we had a night out there. At least ten years!

Husband is outdoorsy, and likes walking and mountain biking. I’m more into reading or crafts, although I have never tried lentil weaving! I’d give it a go though! I’m more into beaches in wintertime, or evening so I think we’d be ok.

My daughter doesn’t currently drive but there’s no reason why she can’t learn. She’s used to walking quite long distances, and there’s a Tesco in east-the-water for everyday stuff.

I do worry whether I’d fit in. I’m certainly not like the London people, or quirky/arty. Maybe a few insular people might like me. I’d like to do a bit of volunteering - library or a charity shop type thing, so I might meet people through that? I’m not very social though, and don’t need loads of people. Luckily!

It is a beautiful part of the world and there are lots of nice places nearby to explore, I live in Hampshire now and honestly the beaches here are not a patch on Devon. Also Hockings ice cream is divine!

I have a holiday home near there and it’s beautiful but I couldn’t spend even 6 weeks there without feeling claustrophobic. I don’t think I need access to shops or venues but when it comes to it, I do! Mine has a gorgeous sea view and is right on the beach but in the summer it’s so packed you can’t move! I love it for a getaway, but I’d choose south Devon if I was moving permanently.

@BigRedBoat We do have the Isle of Wight though. The nice thing about going there is the beaches are quite empty even in nice days. Apart from there we normally head to Lee onSolent for summer evening walks.

I haven’t heard of Hockings ice cream, but I’m really looking forward to trying it.

Sorry @icedancerlenny I missed your post earlier.

When we thought it was just going to be two of us relocating, we looked at south Devon and liked it, but we’re trying to downsize financially, but not space-wise. It’s far more expensive there, and more ‘posh’ than I’d like. I don’t know if that makes sense?

I understand what you’re saying about the shops and venues. Maybe when we were younger we’d have thought the same, but I honestly think we’ll be fine with the lovely tea shops and ice cream!

Your sea view house sounds amazing

Volunteering, there is a small volunteer run archive that might fit your needs of library type volunteering role

You can cycle from East the Water to Instow all the way along the tarka trail, as long as you have decent panniers you can take everything you need for a sit on the beach. The advantage of cycling is you can have a beer or glass of wine 🍷

Hello,

Did you move to the area?
We are considering the move to Bideford right now from Hove with two young boys 5 and 2. Would love to find out more about the area and bringing up children there.

Thanks

Yes, south west water is horribly expensive.
My bill (4 people in 4 bed house) is about £1200 per year.

Well, I've just had a quick look through your messages. I have lived in north devon (near monkleigh) and currently live in south Devon...personally I wouldnt say south devon is posh (not sure where u have been?) But, I have lived in Torbay and currently Dartmouth. Torbay has gone down hill very much and is absolutely rife with drugs. Dartmouth not too bad but yes it can be expensive to live here but u do adapt. However, I am looking at moving back to north devon.... I think it has a better life to offer children I currently have 7month old and 3year old. I also seen someone was moving east the water from hove! We lived there as children as we are from that way originally too! My gosh if only my parents kept there house there! the price now compared to what they bought it for! 🙈

@Jacbyng did you move? We’re still looking, obviously everything has slowed down with covid, and prices have risen a lot too. We still want to live there though.

@Haylz21 I think I’m probably thinking of Salcombe being posh! It’s lovely to visit though.

Balcombe is just up the road from me in Dartmouth. Yes salcombe is posh! 🤣 it is a very small town tho amd many places around there that are not quite as posh. Beautiful place though

I grew up around Bideford and my husband is from NE Hants! Are you Farnborough way? North Devon can feel far from everywhere and can be a bit insular but i did love growing up there. I’m in Wales now so similar type of coastline but on balance I probably prefer N Devon. Also second what was said about Hockings ice cream!

@Yorkshireswithallroasts
I still haven’t had any Hockings! This needs sorting quickly.

Yes, Fleet, which is right next door! Small world.

People keep telling me I’ll find it too cut off ‘from the shops and the theatre’ like I’m always whizzing into London. I love the little independent shops in Bideford, and there’s the Affinity shopping centre! Neither of our children live at home now (although I think one is going to bounce in an out for a few years yet!) so we don’t have to consider them so much. I think Bideford has all we need, plus so much more.

I love Wales too, although I haven’t explored enough of it. You’re very lucky to live there.

Aaahh, my husband is from Fleet!

No ones ever heard of it. That’s so weird 😂

I like Fleet although I always get lost when we go!

I went to school in Bideford (30 yrs ago), but lived in the sticks, 30 mins away. To me, Bideford was the Big Town!!
As teenagers, we enjoyed the pubs, some of which were lively, but you have to go to Barnstaple for anything more exciting.

But, as everyone else says, the main reason to go there is for the Hocking's!!

Did you move to Biddeford OP ? Just wondering how you are getting on ? We are possibly considering a move here . Had got my heart set on Wales but Bideford / Barnstable area is the only coastal place DH prepared to relocate to at the present time.
just worried it will be too busy . Lots of traffic .

I grew up just outside Bideford in the 60’s, and Mum lived there from 1946 till 2013. Haven’t been back since then although I often look on Rightmove and fantasise about moving back.

I so miss Hockings ice cream. And is The Chocolate Box still there in Mill Street with its fudge?