would you leave Birmingham for the West Country?

[Freddofrog1983]

Just that really. I have wanted to be by the coast for years and now I am in a position to do that as I have no family ties and nothing keeping me here apart from liking the primary school my children attend.

I am morgage free with a budget up to £250,000. I am thinking about the Isle of Wight or West Country, mainly Devon,Cornwall area. I hate the thought of only seeing the coast a couple of times a year. What is it like to bring up children in these areas and would you leave Birmingham to do it?

Autvet, what area do you live in now?

I'm from London and now live in Exeter area. Wouldn't go back for anything. Jobs are limited, but there are opportunities for the right candidates with some big employers although salaries can be lower - All depends what you do.
There's plenty to do you just have to seek it, both for young people and as a family. It's well connected (smaller towns around Devon perhaps not so much) and there's a lot of investment in the area.
However, it will be very different! Mix of schools as everywhere - depends on where you choose.

I grew up in Staffordshire but have lived in North Devon for 27 years (apart from 5 months in West Sussex but we don't talk about that) and it's a great place to raise a family as long as you come with realistic expectations. Day to day living in North Devon is not like an extended holiday and sometimes people who move here think that it is. We are a tourist area so it can be very busy in summer and very quiet in winter especially in places like Ilfracombe, Croyde and Westward Ho!. In the bigger towns the difference isn't as great. If you choose to live in a rural village then there is usually a primary school but once your children move on to secondary school then be prepared for them to travel up to an hour to get there and rural bus services are not the best. There are jobs to be had here in Devon but pay can be lower than similar jobs elsewhere and don't get me started on the cost of water bills. But I love living here but it's not for everyone so if you decide to take the plunge you need to secure jobs first and rent a property until you find the perfect home in the right location for you.

Do it!! We did about six months ago and we absolutely love it - we're in exeter xx

I agree about Cardiff...just have a look, it's amazing.

Thank you for all of your comments, I will take them on board. Any other opinions on particular areas? Also how do people find living on the Isle of Wight?

Another Wightie here, moved from the London area and never looked back. There is quite a bit to do here; outdoors stuff, lots of music, festivals and people are very friendly. But the ferry costs make it impractical if you want to go back to the mainland often. Relaxed pace of life, very quiet in winter and beautiful beaches and countryside. Schools a mixed bunch, currently better at primary than secondary level.

We like it. Agree that at present there is a mixed bag of secondary schools, results aren't great but most people I know with kids there are quite happy. Primary schools seem good, we home ed now of which there is a huge community.

There is a lot going on, things most weekends and plenty to do. If you like beaches you'll like it, loads to choose from. We are there most days this time of year.

Ferries are pricey, so if you would need to commute for work factor that in. You can buy multi pass type things that make it cheaper for family visits etc, and there are often discount codes around. Public transport (buses) are frequent but quite pricey.

A lot of GP surgeries are short on staff, but we have been very happy with any care we have had here. Our 3rd child will be born here in Autumn and so far I have found the antenatal care here much better than the mainland. Quieter I guess!

It is a Tory stronghold but with an increasing population of 'rebels' and eccentrics I guess you would call us. 😂

Work wise, my husband is in engineering and has never struggled, he has swapped a few times. I think depending on what you do or what industry you are in you may find it limiting without a commute.

I left Sheffield area for Exeter three years ago and I've loved living in the South West, near to the beach, the SW coastal path and a lot of beautiful scenery.

It feels like a completely different climate and way of life down here sometimes. It's also quite an accessible city with the M5, good rail links and the airport - I sometimes visit Plymouth, Bristol or Bath if I want a change.

I think it would be a good place to raise young children, although as some of the others on here have pointed out, once they get a bit older, there is not quite as much to do, and it's likely that they might have to move to a bigger city to find work - Exeter only has just under 130,000 people living there (although all the tourists make it feel like more)

I also found this article which is more about Devon than Exeter and so might help you a bit.

Did you move ?