Calling all people from Devon and Cornwall

[Sl33py]

It’s a beautiful part of the work and we all flock there for our holidays but out of interest, if you grew up in Devon or Cornwall do you still live and work there now? Do your parents still live there? Or have you moved away for work?
Thanks in advance x

I live in Cornwall. I didn't grow up here but my DH did. Being able to work in Cornwall was a large part of why he went into the field he works in and we moved here when we had our children. His sister has also chosen to stay here.

I still live in Cornwall, as do parents. I'm definitely in the minority though! 99% of my generation have disappeared upcountry.

I grew up in Devon, I moved away after university because there wasn't enough opportunities for jobs and I wanted a bit more excitement! The nearest cinema was in the next town, it was 50 miles to decent shops, ditto for any concerts etc. It is a beautiful part of the world but for me I felt like there's only so much scenery you can enjoy. I think if you have an outdoor hobby (surfing, horse riding etc) it would be better.

Born and grew up in Cornwall. Moved away after uni. Parents and family all still live there.

I moved away for better job opportunities. It’s a beautiful part of the world, but there is also extreme poverty, unemployment and drug problems, which are all nicely hidden away for tourists. I also could not afford to buy a house in my hometown on hometown pay because they have all been bought up by non locals to rent out to tourists.

My parents were from the Westcountry. Dad was in the army so spent holidays with GPs and loved it there. Went to secondary in Cornwall but moved away for uni and work. I returned with DH to an unfashionable, untouristy part of Devon. Affordable home, access to coast and moors. We have reasonable jobs but we’re not ambitious so happy to settle in work for lifestyle.

I was born and raised between Cornwall and Devon, stayed here for Uni and now have a good career here. A lot of my core group of friends have stayed here, only one close friend went away to uni and didnt come back. We live in/near one of the main cities though so that may be a factor, if we were in an area more tourist centered it may have been different.

I grew up in Cornwall. Left for a few years for uni now live and work here as do my parents. I'd say the majority of my friends from school stayed down here or have come back after a few years away

I agree with bee there’s so much hidden poverty. It was very dull in the 80’s in my seaside town, I couldn’t wait to leave.

Thank you that’s interesting and people have all said different things. Which I suppose you’d get as some of my friends have moved away and some have stayed.

We have to option to move the Cornwall or Devon and I think it sounds lovely, but I’ve been told that my children won’t have the job opportunities they will have if I stay in the SE.

Born and brought up in Cornwall, went away to university in 1990 and the worked away until 97, when I came back here for a job on pretty good money for back then. Still here now, but only as I got a job where I can WFH and earn a London salary. Have to travel a fair amount though, but I like that.

Parents still live here.

but I’ve been told that my children won’t have the job opportunities they will have if I stay in the SE.

That's very true. I'm starting to get concerned for when my eldest finishes college next year.

I live in Cornwall. I didn't grow up here but my husband did. He moved away for University and then employment. We moved to Cornwall in 2003. We both teach - even in teaching it took two years for us both to find permanent full time jobs (people don't tend to move). My son leaves for Uni next year - I really do not think he will be back to live in Cornwall. He loves Cornwall but jobs scarce and housing expensive.