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Original poster

Moving to Cornwall is it really unwelcoming ?

28 replies

Witchesbelazy · 14/06/2021 12:59

Hello
I want to move to Cornwall in a few years not a second home we don’t currently live there and would like to buy our first home there we currently rent. I’ve been on holiday and I’ve not experienced the hostile attitude some claim is present I’ve only seen that on social media but I’m concerned as I have children I worry they will experience hostility that I’ve seen people claim. So those that are from the area or moved there do you think there’s a hostility to newcomers ? Or is it just more tourism and second homes that are the issue ?
Thanks

OP posts:
Original poster
Witchesbelazy · 14/06/2021 13:00

Sorry not sure why we don’t currently live there is included it’s obvious with the title 🙈🙈

OP posts:
MargaretFraggle · 14/06/2021 13:01

People move to new areas all the time. Why shouldn't you move to Cornwall?

HangingOver · 14/06/2021 13:02

I moved in Nov after being a weekender for about 5 years. I have found everyone fine and lovely, in fact some of the societies and clubs have welcomed me with open arms as young blood! Think it helps to get stuck in with local activity groups. Just be prepared to have to drive everywhere sloooooowly in summer!

Original poster
Witchesbelazy · 14/06/2021 13:02

On here I’ve read people say it can be quite hostile but I’ve not experienced it visiting but as I have children and I’ll be moving very far it’s something i feel I need to look into fully before making such a big commitment

OP posts:
Original poster
Witchesbelazy · 14/06/2021 13:03

@HangingOver

I moved in Nov after being a weekender for about 5 years. I have found everyone fine and lovely, in fact some of the societies and clubs have welcomed me with open arms as young blood! Think it helps to get stuck in with local activity groups. Just be prepared to have to drive everywhere sloooooowly in summer!
Everyone was lovely when I’ve been too it’s part of the reason I fell in love so much thanks for the response
OP posts:
MargaretFraggle · 14/06/2021 13:07

I wouldn't worry at all tbh. It sounds a lovely place to move to with kids and it's not a second home.

Ughmaybenot · 14/06/2021 13:07

I don’t think people actually moving here permanently get much stick at all, second home owners on the other hand…
Getting stuck in wherever you choose to move to definitely helps with feeling more integrated, people anywhere appreciate that I think.

TreesoftheField · 14/06/2021 13:09

I grew up in a very remote part. A lot of the primary schools are closing because there's not enough children.
There are a lot of families from 'upcountry and certainly in my area,if you move down, live there and contribute to the community (eg don't moan about cows on the road and tractors at silage time) you'll be very welcome. It's not like the wicker man....
Just make sure you're clear on what it's really like living there. I've moved to a city so I can earn a decent wage and not spend all my time in the car commuting. Plus the joy of walking to ashop or pub!!!

Original poster
Witchesbelazy · 14/06/2021 13:10

I moved elsewhere before and learned the language of the place I was in and now can speak it fluently so I definitely feel I’m generally able to integrate well in new places

OP posts:
Original poster
Witchesbelazy · 14/06/2021 13:12

@TreesoftheField

I grew up in a very remote part. A lot of the primary schools are closing because there's not enough children. There are a lot of families from 'upcountry and certainly in my area,if you move down, live there and contribute to the community (eg don't moan about cows on the road and tractors at silage time) you'll be very welcome. It's not like the wicker man.... Just make sure you're clear on what it's really like living there. I've moved to a city so I can earn a decent wage and not spend all my time in the car commuting. Plus the joy of walking to ashop or pub!!!
I’m very used to cows and tractors thankfully ! I’ll keep in mind about the things you’ve mentioned also thanks
OP posts:
Seapoint2002 · 14/06/2021 13:27

I think its fine for people who move permanently. It's the people who buy second homes and they then stand empty large portions of the year. Imagine a village that once had 500 homes and all those people living there permanently and now half of those homes being empty most of the year. That massively affects the community.

Lansonmaid · 14/06/2021 13:34

As previous posters have said it’s the second home owners that are attracting a lot of ire, but there’s not a lot of enthusiasm for people who move down and try and change things to a faster life style. We moved down 20 years ago, got involved in the church, local rugby club, ramblers etc and started learning the language. Have had no problems except one farming couple but they are vile, miserable and problematic to their own neighbours as well as us.

tara66 · 14/06/2021 13:37

Aren't they ''short'' of hospitals in Cornwall - and that's a reason they don't want ''more people''?

Cowbells · 14/06/2021 13:37

Half of my family moved to Cornwall and have been welcomed completely.

JesusInTheCabbageVan · 14/06/2021 13:40

@MargaretFraggle

People move to new areas all the time. Why shouldn't you move to Cornwall?
Well, no reason why she shouldn't. That's not what the thread is about though Confused OP is asking specifically whether newcomers encounter hostility.
APurpleSquirrel · 14/06/2021 13:44

@tara66

Aren't they ''short'' of hospitals in Cornwall - and that's a reason they don't want ''more people''?
The hospital & other services are the correct size to service the resident population - ie those who live there permanently. Problems arise when the population increases dramatically due to the influx of tourists. This is the same anywhere in the country
madeleineinlondon · 14/06/2021 13:45

I’ve been here for 12 years and have felt really welcome and have lots of friends, Cornish and other incomers. My kids have gone from starting primary when we arrived to uni/ 6th form now, and it’s been a wonderful place to grow up.

To echo everyone else, second homes have a huge effect on communities, whereas people coming to live here and join communities are an entirely different thing.

JesusInTheCabbageVan · 14/06/2021 13:51

I may be stating the obvious here OP, but bear in mind it's a massive area and some of the bits inland can be very different to the touristy areas. Do you have an area in mind?

CatrinVennastin · 14/06/2021 14:07

My sister and her DP moved to Cornwall about 5 years ago. They absolutely love it and have found the community really friendly and welcoming. Her DP is a musician and he's got involved in lots of music stuff locally and through this heard about a property coming on the market and they were able to view and offer on it really quickly.

MargaretFraggle · 14/06/2021 14:18

You're right Jesus. What I was (badly) implying is people in Cornwall can't really object to people moving there and if OP experiences hostility she won't be the one at fault, so she shouldn't let this be a factor her moving plans. But it's good that it sounds like people have been welcomed there.

I have seen a few 'stop moving to my area' threads lately and I find it odd that some towns or areas feel nobody else should move there!

Classica · 14/06/2021 14:19

I seem to remember there being a massive thread (prob a couple of years ago) about moving to cornwall.

JesusInTheCabbageVan · 14/06/2021 14:27

Margaret I know what you mean. I think if there was massive hostility towards newcomers in a particular location though, I would factor it in. Not saying it's right or fair, but it would put off a lot of people I think! Imagine if you had a lovely little pub nearby and everyone went silent every time you walked in Sad

MargaretFraggle · 14/06/2021 14:32

Yes that's true. I have experienced exactly this in a pub in rural Somerset... Maybe that's why particular towns become popular, because there are other people not from 'round 'ere so it feels safer!

Seesawmummadaw · 14/06/2021 14:47

Depending on the area You might find that people are overly interested in you at first, they are just curious. Everyone knows everyone in the little villages so a new face will make you the talk of the village for a day but not in a bad way.

A lot of settling well here is about the attitude of the person moving. If you come and slag off the lack of high street shops or use foot paths inappropriately locals might get a bit grumpy.

Hostility is saved for the brat pack who come and act like everyone owes them while they are here for the summer Wink

barnanabas · 14/06/2021 15:00

Moved to Cornwall (from London) 15 years ago. I never felt unwelcome. Friends are a mix of people who grew up here and people who have moved here (and lots of couples like us, where one half grew up in Cornwall and the other didn't). I think the hostility you're alluding to (which in my experience does seem to get exaggerated in the media) is directed at second home owners.

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