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?

@potteryprincess South Hams district council does not cover Plymouth

Some people here are making Plymouth to be like The Bronx, haha! I've lived here for most of my life and literally do not recognise all these descriptions!

I've never felt unsafe here and I've had plenty of nights out where I end getting a taxi alone. I shit myself walking through some areas of London DURING THE DAY!

Oh and I live in a nice area now but feel more unsafe here than I ever did in Plymouth.. walked home from nearly every night out in Plymouth a lot of the time alone and it was always very safe.

Wineoclock 😂 it sometimes feels like that 😂😂

Trajectory through life. Grew up in extreme west Cornwall, school in Truro, uni in Bristol, to London and New York, back through London to the Tamar Valley. Approaching retirement, and planning to move towards Wiltshire, which is within 90 minutes drive of where most of my friends and family live.

But if circumstances were otherwise, I would seriously consider buying an apartment somewhere close to the water in Plymouth. No, I don't shop here... I have always bought clothes in London, second hand, or online, and had my hair cut in London, now I have an ex-editorial stylist in the Teign Valley who is exceptionally talented.

All those who are getting teasy about Plymouth's shortcomings, just choose where you live carefully and life will be okay. You won't get rich, it isn't suitable for metrosexuals, unless you are a chef, and liking mild, damp weather helps a great deal. Hope this helps you decide.

And to all those who are not convinced Derriford is a good hospital, my DH's life was saved in a layby close to it; he saw a world class cardiac surgeon on the NHS for follow up. Equally there are a LOT of self-inflicted health issues, mostly obesity and its consequences.

My friends moved to Plymouth. They now live in a fucking mansion!

I've just moved out of london after 25 years (not to Plymouth but similar). It's great. Do it!

Some people here are making Plymouth to be like The Bronx, haha! I've lived here for most of my life and literally do not recognise all these descriptions!

I've never felt unsafe here and I've had plenty of nights out where I end getting a taxi alone.

This. I'm wondering if there is another Plymouth somewhere.

And I don't mean the one in the US!

My family all live in the South West (Devon), my neices, nephews, all my cousins children have left the area as there are very few opportunities there. They loved growing up there but left home never to return when they left school.
Something to consider.

I've never felt unsafe here and I've had plenty of nights out where I end getting a taxi alone.

Agree. I was on nights out in Plymouth from age 16, roaming the bars, clubs and streets sometimes til 4am. Always felt perfectly safe.

Spent a few years in London and knew several people mugged or beaten up at knife/gunpoint just on their way home from work.

Some people here are making Plymouth to be like The Bronx.

I agree. I know I was there many moons ago. But I felt very safe in Plymouth. I went shopping, Mutley plain. The hoe, Michaels Mount.

Going nightclubbing and walking along union Street @ 2 AM, I never felt scared, I never felt frightened, so all these people talking about the Bronx / I just don't understand that. It certainly wasn't what I experienced.

Admittedly 20 odd years ago.

Saw an apartment in Royal William Yard we really liked. We were staying in the marina with our yacht opposite in Mayflower. It has some ok shopping, but as a gateway to Cornwall its fab. Cornwall is close to our heart, not least because our grandfather is from there but then we hate London, so big contrast.

There are some nice bits of Plymouth / surrounding areas and there are plenty that are awful. But don't kids yourself it's "living by the sea"

Exeter is full of snobs and empty of interest. I think it's hollow and boring. Plymouth has his advantages and disadvantages. If you go to the right areas it's amazing. Lovely bars and restaurants. You could even move slightly further out from Plymouth and the commute will still be small op. I'd definitely say go for it.

It is absolutely living by the sea!

If you prefer not to live in the city, Tavistock is close to Plymouth and seems like a nice town. It doesn't take long to drive from there to Plymouth even during "rush hour". There are regular buses between the two as well. Derriford Hospital is also on the right side of the city from Tavistock so you don't have to go all the way through the city to get to the hospital.

So, what do you think OP? Have we convinced (or otherwise) you to up sticks?

I'm sorry but olenna what part of this isn't living by the sea ?

pottery I moved twice to Brussels (abroad) to follow dh, so I don't need a lecture from you thanks so much on starting over. As I've done it twice, once at 40, and again at 48, to a very quirky country, where everything is different, I think the OP could do with hearing that despite moving, living in lovely houses, and having a very very nice life, I want to go back to Cornwall.

I could choose to live anywhere in the UK, but that is where I want to be, because of the quality of life. I have access to great food, wonderful countryside; the coast, theatre, niche food producers. a great community. What is not to like?

You are , as a PP has said, condescending and patronising. We all get that Devon didn't suit you, but there are people, who despite having moved away, and lived all over the place, want to go back. many of these are professionals and very well educated indeed. As for your crack about my age and pace of life, do fuck off dear. You know the square root of bugger all about my life, so don't assume anything.

As for letterboxing being 'over' - no. Map reading and navigation are useful skills, especially when there is over reliance on phones and GPS. Letterboxing has been going since 1854, (164 years if you can't do the maths), and will doubtless be going for longer than either you or I.

I think you need to get your head out from your arse and realise that people can be over 32 and have a valid point of view, that is probably more rounded and grounded than yours. You didn't like growing up in Totnes..and? That doesn't mean that it will hold true for everyone. I wouldn't want to live in Bristol, indeed, I actively discouraged dh from jobs at Abbey Wood, but that doesn't mean that others aren't happy there, and good for them. I don't slag off their choice to live there, or the city they choose to live in with all the drug related problems one hears about.

I live on the coast near Exeter and I adore it. I've only been to Plymouth a couple of times but I didn't like it and have never heard anyone say much good about it - I have a few friends/acquaintances here who went to school or uni there and subsequently decamped to Exeter. Devon as a whole is amazing though, I can't imagine living anywhere else now.

You can't beat Ashburton

Geez,a lot of Plymouth haters here.i love Plymouth,it has a mall,the hoe and Barbican which are lovely.i love all of my neighbours but one mad broom lady.ive never had any problems,and I don’t see why people all see it as grotty.its not grotty,an awful lot less violence around here compared to London!.my ds is excelling in his education,there is good work around here.
I’m coming from an ok area,not a nice area or an area to avoid.
Most of my good friends from school have either moved to London,Bristol or bath.but that was because they fell in love with men from those areas.
They come back very frequently to see their lovely parents who want to stay in Plymouth.

Generally plymothians are nice,if not daft.but generally good.all that I’ve met anyhow!

Scaryteacher, I applaud you for your response to that patronising person.

Her comments were dismissive and very ageist indeed. I found it rather depressing to hear a younger person write off anyone over 50. It made me wonder how many other younger people think that of me.

To the OP.
In my Cornish village (where I hope to live one day, but currently spend a lot of time) there are a few young (20's) families who have moved in with their young children. Many have become central to the community. They all say they personally love it. Of course, it is not for everyone, but many younger families love the life in Cornwall.

To the patronising knob upthread. Not everyone is the same.

Plymouth isn’t Cornwall though! Don’t let OP think they are!

are the same*