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Original poster

Moving from SE to East Devon. Where?

29 replies

noodles44 · 13/04/2023 09:53

Hi,

Just after advice and tips on areas in East Devon please...I grew up near Honiton and moved to the SE 25 years ago. I have 2 children (aged 13 and 10) and am divorced from my ex DH. He is an alcoholic and sees very little of the children, twice this year supervised, he has been paying maintenance from the divorce settlement I paid him, but has told me he is running out of money, so this could stop at any point.

Hence my thoughts to moving home again, it would be a benefit to be close to my parents as they have a few health issues and also would mean if my ex stops paying, it won't impact me as much as the property is a bit cheaper in the areas I am looking than where I am. I am not 100% sure about going yet, but am doing some research and am looking at somewhere coastal, either Exmouth, Seaton or Beer.

I just wondered if anyone is familiar with the areas and has any tips as to which would be more suitable for our needs. Any experience of the senior and primary schools too please? I am leaning towards Exmouth as I think there will be more to do for my children, but I fancy Seaton or even somewhere just inland of there if it was just me moving...

Thanks

OP posts:

Malbecfan · 13/04/2023 10:23

I live & work in E Devon but am not a native - been in Devon 25 years and E Devon almost 17. Look carefully at the schools. The best non-selective is probably Kings in Ottery St Mary. In 2010, I lived 400m from the catchment area, now the same house is probably 4 miles from it as it has shrunk due to lots of new houses being built closer. Exmouth Community College is enormous. Friends with school age kids in that catchment chose to send theirs to Sidmouth, which is not a bad school, but house prices tend to be higher in Sidmouth itself as it's a popular place to retire to. Seaton is in the catchment for Axe Valley and I suspect Beer is too - lovely place though! Their primaries are good I believe.

Another thing to consider is public transport, especially as your kids get older and want to socialise. The nearest bus service to my house is well over a mile away on roads with a 60mph limit and no pavement. That's why loads of kids learn to drive at 17 as the alternatives are so rubbish. Places on the Waterloo line with stations (Axminster, Honiton, Feniton, Whimple etc) make it easier for getting into Exeter. Seaton's public transport isn't great, nor is Beer's.

Cranbrook is a new town. I know a couple of people who live there but they don't have kids. They built a new school there but I don't know much about it as I don't think students there have taken any public exams yet. I think there's a station and buses to Exeter but you'd have to check. I'm wary of it as much of that area used to be prone to flooding.

I don't mind if you want to PM me.

Original poster

noodles44 · 13/04/2023 10:32

Thanks @Malbecfan that's really kind of you.

I will do that when I have had estate agents give a rough price on mine so I know what is feasible.

Exmouth Community College requires improvement with Ofsted at the moment and says it has 2.2k pupils. There is Colyton grammar from Seaton, but not sure what the option is if they don't pass the exam. I thought perhaps Lyme Regis.

I did see a little hamlet between Seaton/Axminster, but it was single track lanes and no pavement, which did make me think I would be a Mum taxi and somewhere a bit more built up would have transport links.

I have friends in Exeter, which Exmouth has good train links to.

Am doing it on my own so it feels a bit daunting, even though it isn't to a totally new place!

OP posts:

RafaistheKingofClay · 13/04/2023 10:38

Cranbrook had a lot of issues with the community heating thing over the winter. I know a few people who’ve bought there wouldn’t now recommend it. It does have good public transport links though. Once you get outside of there then buses are erm.. irregular.

Exmouth does have more for the kids to do but having just moved out of there you’ll need to pick an area carefully. There’s a lot more antisocial behaviour and issues than there used to be.

RafaistheKingofClay · 13/04/2023 10:42

I think I’d go with Sidmouth schools rather than Exmouth. Although I think Exmouth’s head is leaving at the end of this year so any Ofsted report May no longer be relevant.

Original poster

noodles44 · 13/04/2023 10:45

I have heard Cranbrook being called Crimebrook, so will avoid, thanks.

That is good to know about the antisocial behaviour issues in Exmouth. It used to have a bad reputation years ago when my parents moved to the area (so they came inland) but I had thought it was much better now.

Thanks, good to have these tips/info to consider before taking the plunge (or chickening out!!)

OP posts:

RafaistheKingofClay · 13/04/2023 13:19

It did get that nickname. I don’t think it’s too bad. It’s all relative really. It’ll be worse than the surrounding villages but it’s better than where I was in Exmouth.

Original poster

noodles44 · 13/04/2023 20:31

To be fair, it is probably better than some areas near me now!

I am at my parents at the moment and we went to Sidmouth today. I feel like I have looked at it differently after realising it has good schools and that there are young people there (it was my nans favourite spot, so I have always associated it with elderly people shuffling along the sea front) it was lovely there and I can really see us there. Just need to see if it is feasible costs wise.

Thanks for the advice

OP posts:

TinaTotal · 13/04/2023 20:36

I moved from SE to Devon for similar reasons 5 years ago. I'm further down the coast than you so can't offer advice on the areas but I just wanted to say we love Devon and I can't imagine living anywhere else now. Even taking into account the crime/deprivation/ASB that occur in some parts of Devon. Wishing you the best of luck.

Original poster

noodles44 · 14/04/2023 18:27

Thankyou @TinaTotal glad you have settled so well, really good to know x

OP posts:

Hantsborn · 18/07/2023 13:55

I too am looking to move from Greater London to East Devon, South Devon or Dorset. Would like semi-rural but main problem is that I don't drive so reliable public transport is a must. No school-age children now. Any suggestions welcome!

Malbecfan · 18/07/2023 16:05

@Hantsborn about to dash out but read my comments from 13th April about public transport in East Devon. It is hopeless, especially when you compare it to Greater London. My 24yo has lots of friends from uni who were stunned to learn that not only could she drive, but she also has a car. Then they visited us and realised why.

Hantsborn · 18/07/2023 16:16

Malbecfan · 18/07/2023 16:05

Thanks @Malbecfan -perhaps I need to employ a chauffeur!😀

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 18/07/2023 16:19

You will need to drive, you will be horrified at the lack of PT especially after living in London.

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 18/07/2023 16:22

OP, we have had 3 sets of friends move to Devon in the last 5 years and have found schools challenging to say the least. My sister went to school there too 30 years ago and had a horrendous experience and tbh it doesn't sound like a lot has changed. It's something to seriously consider before moving.

LaylaLjungberg · 18/07/2023 16:44

Don’t move to beer the traffic is horrendous. Tourists etc. how about Axminster I like it there, Woodbury common area is lush and easy drive to Exmouth.

Jelly0naplate · 18/07/2023 17:42

I've lived here fore 15 years with primary aged children.
depending on your finances, you could consider St Johns at Sidmouth as an independent non-selective school.

We're currently considering a house move and I'd like to be by the coast but am wary of Exmouth due to anti-social behaviour and the school being enormous and not hearing anything good about it.

Honiton community college also isn't great.

You could consider Lympstone and Topsham as well - good rail links but can be pricey

be wary of Ted Wragg schools - lots in our local news about very strict policies and issues.

Malbecfan · 18/07/2023 19:44

The last 3 comments relate to the OP from April. I was replying to a new comment from a poster without school-aged DC.

@LaylaLjungberg whilst Woodbury Common looks nice, there are no public transport links there apart from the 9 bus between Sidmouth and Exeter. I can see the Common from my garden so I have direct experience of it.

@Jelly0naplate I went to visit a teacher in a local Ted Wragg school yesterday. It was a calm and warm environment. I have colleagues whose DC attend some of the schools and they are quite happy. The local news is deeply sensationalist and often somewhat inaccurate in its reporting, putting it mildly.

Original poster

noodles44 · 19/07/2023 07:53

To update for me, I am finishing some building control work at my home before getting a price and making a decision about where to go. Your comments are really helpful, thank you.

After thinking I wanted to be on the coast, I am now looking more at Sidmouth, near the Byes, just outside Lyme Regis inland in a small village and also Ottery St Mary because of the senior schools locally to these areas, I am still not sure which will be the most suitable for us. I must admit I did not have the best experience at school in the SW so this is making me unsure about moving my children as the senior school by me currently that my daughter goes to is excellent. The work life balance will be better though and the support I can give my parents. Both my children have said they would like to live there too when we discussed it as a possibility.

I havent yet had my home valued (but I think I have a rough idea) & will wait until the work is completed, so still haven't actually viewed any properties. I shall message you @Malbecfan when I want to hone my search area for any tips and advice.

OP posts:

Malbecfan · 19/07/2023 10:29

Not a problem @noodles44 and good luck with it.

Hantsborn · 21/07/2023 14:37

@Malbecfan Ottery St Mary or thereabouts looks very nice - with bus links to Exeter and the coast, and to railway stations?

Malbecfan · 22/07/2023 09:32

Ottery is a nice town. Check out how regularly the bus runs though. Trains to Waterloo stop at Feniton but I'm not sure how easy it is to get from Ottery to Feniton without a car. Most buses only run in the daytime, so if you want to go to an event in Exeter in the evening, you might have a problem. Sorry to sound so miserable, but this area is not well set up for non-drivers.

Hantsborn · 22/07/2023 12:36

Malbecfan · 22/07/2023 09:32

Not at all, I need to know bad as well as good if I'm going to up sticks! Thank you - I'll continue my research. At least, from this thread, I now have an impression of the wider area.

RafaistheKingofClay · 24/07/2023 16:20

Last bus from Exeter to ottery is now 6.30ish. There is a bus to Feniton but don’t know how regularly it goes. Unlikely that it runs into the evening.
Sunday buses virtually non existent.

Public transport is OK but not great. Depends how much you’ll be relying on it really.

Hantsborn · 24/07/2023 22:28

Thanks @RafaistheKingofClay . I wouldn't be travelling about much and if I was venturing far of an evening, I'd hope to get a cab home anyway. I'm thinking of everyday stuff like GP appointments or getting to a railway station during the day.

Malbecfan · 25/07/2023 07:51

Just bear in mind @Hantsborn if you go into Exeter in an evening, you pay a premium to cross the council border into East Devon in a taxi. I have a few colleagues who live in Honiton who find it works ok for nights out in Exeter. Schools are not so good there, but if your kids are grown-up, it might be worth considering. If I'm heading to London, I do sometimes go from Honiton as parking at the station isn't too expensive and it's easier to get to from my house than St David's in Exeter.

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