To move to Plymouth?

[PaintingOwls]

I'm sick and tired of my job in London. Someone said getting up every day was like a cheese grater to the soul, and that's exactly how I feel. I don't have time to do things like I like (without sacrificing sleep) and I live in a mouldy flat with DP. Every stereotype you can think of.

DP was looking at jobs (NHS) and saw a hospital in Plymouth was advertising and is thinking of applying for it. I'm not sure how serious he was, he said it in a kind of, fuck it, let's pack it in and live by the sea kind of way.

I've been looking at houses and they are SO AFFORDABLE! In theory we could survive on his salary alone, which is very exciting. Obviously I will want a job, but the idea is still incredible, given that we can only afford a tiny shared ownership flat in London if we were to buy.

Only trouble is, I've only ever passed through Plymouth in the train and coach to Cornwall, so I have no idea what it's really like. I don't know where to look, which areas are nice, good for schools, etc etc. No DC yet, but definitely in the pipeline for the next 5 years.

Can any MNtters (especially if you relocated to Plymouth) shed some light on what it's like to live there and which areas to avoid, etc?

I grew up and went to school in Plymouth. I wouldn’t go back.

Some places are ok. Others not so much. There was huge regeneration starting when I left so places to avoid might have changed by now.

The Hoe and Barbican are lovely, especially in Summer but there’s no proper sandy beaches even though it’s on the sea front.

If the job is in Derriford Hospital though, I would look the other way at houses/places to live. There’s some beautiful villages around Tavistock and Yelverton with good transport links to the hospital and the city. Surrounded by the moors. Beautiful scenery. Some great primary schools.

I'm from Devon, parents from London. Do not move to Plymouth. It is cheap for a reason! I live in Bristol now, I'd compromise with Exeter, as its still close to the coast. Actually Exeter is closer to much nicer beaches. Plymouth is grimy and is a big stinking city still, just with a few polluted pebbly bits

I have family in Plymouth and could move there if I wanted to. I don't live in Plymouth.

I hear Durham is very nice, and it has both the seaside and the countryside.

Honestly Exeter is so the place, close to the coast, the moors, affordable with brilliant train links to Bristol, London, the north ect. Plymouth is such a no if you've got a choice and are wanting to move to 'the country' honestly, a lot of London is more 'country' then Plymouth

I wouldn't chose to live in Plymouth. I live in Devon and there are much nicer places to live. If you drive a commute from any of the surrounding areas is easy enough. I currently work in Exeter and colleagues of mine drive to our sister site in Plymouth daily without much hassle.

Devon is a lovely place to live, but Plymouth would not be my choice.

I'm not a fan of the city layout - it's a big post-war concrete centre surrounded by busy roads. It's very run down in parts. The coastal areas are pretty though. It's quite a journey from London if you miss the city.

Derriford is experiencing the NHS struggles, I'm not sure it would be an idea place to work news example

It has a big student population, I'm not sure how easy it would be to make friends in your 30s.

Personally, I'd look towards Bristol.

Another vote for Exeter.

I wouldn't entertain Plymouth I'm afraid- it's a horrid place.

I live in Plymouth (any questions feel free to ask!). There are advantages and disadvantages - like anywhere I guess!

The main disadvantage for me are the transport links - everytime I want to go away I have to travel to Bristol Airport and I work away quite a lot so it seems to take FOREVER to get anywhere!

Just as I'm starting to fall out of love with Plymouth, spring begins and I have the sea 20 minutes one way and the moors 20 minutes another way and I realise life isn't so bad!

It's certainly not as grim as people make it out to be - I've certainly been to far, far worse places!

And you don't have to live in Plymouth - have a look at the South Hams areas including Yealmpton, Noss Mayo, Newton Ferrers where they are some beautiful houses and commutable to the hospital.

Areas in Plymouth itself, I would suggest looking at Derriford, Mannamead, Stoke and Plympton.

Of all the places in Devon Plymouth is the last place I would choose to live, it’s cheap because no one wants to live there, saying that though, reading your situation if I could afford to buy a bigger house and survive on one wage I would go for it as I don’t think living in a mouldy flat in London can be very pleasant either so you won’t loose anything, in fact the surrounding areas of Plymouth are lovely, the South Hams is beautiful but very very expensive to buy a house. Exeter is a great city but more expensive than Plymouth for property.

Don't be fooled by the fact it's by the sea! There are no beaches or coastal walks really just a dockyard and harbour sort of place. It's what tempted me to move here and now I'm stuck forever . If you still wanted the job at the hospital though and could afford it, it may be nice to move just outside of Plymouth in Devon of Cornwall and commute? Good luck with it all x

No experience with area but you could look at trying it out. Me and dh lived a few places before we settled. Rented so easy enough to move if place didnt suit.

@BettyBooJustDoinTheDoo this is so true. Exeter is a bit more pricey (though compared to London would still seem cheap to the op i reckon!) but her house in Exeter will increase in value hugely over the next few years, where as in Plymouth . God I hate Plymouth. Awful choice of a place to live, ITS TOO FAR SOUTH OP! never go further into Devon then Exeter if your thinking of children as well, they will thank you when they are older. Plymouth its literally the end of the line

As for the hospital, i'd do some research like suggested by the other poster @GreyCloudsToday

It has had a lot of problems. My mother nursed there for a time, you couldn't double her pay to return. Plymouth is cheap because it's not very pleasant. Fine if your local and it's the only option ect, but to choose to move there is crazy. There are no beaches there either! wages are also very very low you do realize in the south hams?

So the house prices seem good compared to London (where wouldn't frankly!) but they are still actually un-affordable for locals as the wages are so disgustingly low.

You need to move somewhere which has the things you've actually listed that you want. And again, do not get hoodwinked by the deep south west and cornwall, unemployment, poverty, social problems ect, these areas are really quite deprived and not the 'postcard' you see in the summer.

These are very conservative/ukip areas too remember. Please do not move to Plymouth it's like the end of the world there unless your studying or have family connections/or are a local

I have friends in Plymouth, and they really like it, and enjoy the coastal walks around. Their dd is at the grammar school, and all seem to have a good quality of life.

I know someone also who moved to work at Derriford and they are very happy

Very good point Potteryprincess30 about property being a much better investment in Exeter.

Give me Plymouth any day..

Well we are about to move back to Plymouth and have got a house in Plymouth Hoe. My whole family come from Plymouth, as do I originally but we moved away to Exeter when I was 10 and now at 33 with 2 children I am moving back.

There are doig a regeneration scheme at the moment to include an IMAX, new musuem, library etc called The Box close to the town. I don't think there is anything wrong with it. It is hardly a hellhole, especially if you stay away from North Prospect, St Buedox, Union Street, certain parts of Devonport. There are lots of lovely areas such as the Hoe, The Barbican, Lipson, Peverell, some
Parts of Mutley, Mannamead, Hartley. There is a lot to do there.

It was very badly bombed in the war unfortunately and a lot of the rebuilt houses and buildings are not very attractive. There are a number of comservation areas though where the architecture is beautiful.

You can definitely get much more house for your money (about half the price of Exeter). I am buying, after my last purchase in Launceston fell through, a 6 bed 4 storey victorian house in a conservation area. The street is practically untouched and is beautiful. I can walk into the centre of town in 10 minutes, Plymouth Hoe in 2 mins, the beautiful greenary, The Barbican, aquarium etc. Lots for my little ones to do. When I lived there I used to do so many clubs growing up. Ice skating, skiing, horse riding, a fantastic library that had a wonderful Saturday club etc.

If you do decide to look at moving there then feel free to message me if you need any info on certain areas. Like any city, as long as you know the right areas there are no issues. Great transport links,next to cornwall, half hour to the beach etc. Good luck

I know Plymouth well, but no longer live there. I worked at Derriford hospital... If he works clinically you'll find a real mix of patients.

Really what Maddiemadame says... It's a large city(although tiny in comparison to London) .. Where you live in Plymouth will dictate your lifestyle.

.if you do look outside the city at South hams, many of my pals live there... Be aware you MUST drive, there are usually no bus routes... Or ones that only run on market day... And no pavements outside the villages!

Plymouth can be a fab place to raise kids.. Enough city but close enough to beaches/moors for fun. The university and theatre have a big presence in city life

I visited Plymouth recently and wasn’t impressed for the reasons many others have said. But yes there’s many worse places to live in the U.K (like the dump in the midlands I’m from).

Yes to Bristol but of course that’s a more expensive option than Plymouth. Quite London-y in some respects but there’s a calmer and friendlier vibe and way of life. Transport links are fab too.

But.....if you want to spend time back in London... Make sure you realise how long it will take to travel!... It's hours away! Same with holiday airports!

Lots of regeneration going on in Plymouth - Royal William Yard great for restaurants; a thriving university and the money and jobs that brings.

I wouldn't look at Tavistock for housing as it's a nightmare getting in at the moment to Plymouth, but if you look at Cornwall, Saltash, Tamar Valley, it is very doable, and cheaper. Dh used to commute from the Tamar Valley to Devonport every day, and I used to do the same but to the City centre, and latterly to various schools when I was doing teaching practice for my PGCE.

There are three grammars, some OK comps and access to private schools as well.

We used to have a house in Peverell, and enjoyed living there. I would move into Plymouth again without hesitation, as it's far more affordable than Exeter. Pick your area, so Mannamead, Peverell, Plymstock and parts of Plympton, and you won't go far wrong. South Hams very expensive in parts, but Ivybridge is reasonable.

The City Council can be very shortsighted about things. They needed to keep the airport open, and they refused John Lewis (and IKEA I think), but it has everything you need - green space with the Hoe and Central park; access to Dartmoor and the coast; a good swimming pool; theatre, library, art gallery. museum, and a new Royal Navy museum opening as well.

There is also a new town being built on the outskirts of Plymouth called Sherford, so that might be worth a look too sherford.org/

Another vote for Exeter! We live in a village about 5 miles outside Exeter, dead easy to get to beach / city / moors, plus direct train to London. RDE is a great Hospital. I have friends who live in Teignmouth, it’s a nice town on the coast, easy to get to Exeter for work. We moved down from London three years ago and love it down here.

Iam It takes me 4 hours by car from Tavistock to Egham, and that includes a coffee stop. The train is about 3-4 hours from Plymouth to Paddington. It's not that bad!

My friend married a man who works in Plymouth- as soon as they could afford to they moved away from Plymouth to a village outside Tavistock.

However I live in the south & have a friend originally from Tavistock- she moved here asap when she was a teenager, not to Plymouth.