Moving to south Devon - area advice needed

[picklemonkey]

Hi!
I’m a Cornish girl but currently live on the outskirts of London with my 7 & nearly 2 year old. My OH & I have been thinking of returning to the SW for some time now & finally settled on South Devon. We have family in Tavistock & Newton Ferrers but neither area feels quite right for us. We love Dartmouth and liked Kingsbridge & Totnes (but had concerns about both) but are after advice on any areas we’re missing, or insight into any of those areas out of season? We definitely want a garden so I know we may need to look on the outskirts of towns for the size of house we’d like. I’m 38 & a SAHM so want to be able to meet up with mums my age whilst my littlest is still too young for school, and my OH may need the car so extra points for walkability. (Kingsbridge concerns were that you don’t seem to be able to walk out of the town either side (to schools/houses etc) as the lanes don’t have pavements). Newton Ferrers is beautiful but perhaps a bit too small without a car to get to places? Exeter is maybe a bit too big…? & Tavistock is a bit too far into Dartmoor in terms of trying to drive anywhere from it. Any help would be massively appreciated as it’s obviously very hard to visit from London with a toddler in tow and limited to school holidays!

Hi we are considering moving to Devon, reading that south Devon is more popular although open to suggestions. We are a family with small child. Looking for family friendly area. We enjoy outdoors / walking/ beach life and would like community feel. We would still like to be able to meet people and socialise, in a ‘buzzy’ place so not too rural but we aren’t wanting to live in a city. Any help welcomed!

Hi there
Ive stumbled across this thread and am wondering where you’ve ended up and how you/ the kids are finding it.
We too are looking for the right place to move to as a family with young children (1&4) in the South Hams with H needed to commute to London every couple of weeks.
Sounds like you’ve been on a similar journey and would love to hear how you’ve found it. Xxx

Have a look at Wembury. It’s a large village across the estuary from Newton Ferrers. Close to the beach. About 6 miles from Plymouth. Good primary school and close to an excellent secondary (Coombe Dean). Lots of space, and walks in every direction across the fields and round the cliffs. Beautiful clifftop church.
Not the most picturesque village, there are lovely bits, but a lot of pebble-dashed bungalows too.