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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To move to Cornwall?

124 replies

RockpoolPeriwinkle · 18/08/2023 17:46

Background - I live in rented, but I have had a promotion, and can now wfh, so looking to buy my own place (mortgage arranged in principle). I’m just finishing a week’s holiday in St Ives, and found out the tiny, but cute as a button place I’ve been staying is for sale. It’s a long way from where I live now in the midlands, but I think it could work.

Do you live in St Ives or similar tourist destination? What’s it like to live there year-round?

OP posts:
Original poster
RockpoolPeriwinkle · 18/08/2023 17:48

AIBU?

yes - it’s too far away, the locals wouldn’t welcome you and it’s awful in winter

no - it’s lovely to live somewhere so beautiful all the time

OP posts:
Testina · 18/08/2023 17:50

I’d rather see a house in Cornwall become someone’s home, not a holiday let, so for that reason YANBU. I’d rather it become a local’s home, so YABU there - but, overall YANBU because it’s not your fault that local people have been forced out.

Maireas · 18/08/2023 17:50

I do wonder about the locals. There was a thread on here recently, and a number of Cornish posters were very hostile to English people holidaying there, never mind buying property. However, they may not be typical, and you may find your neighbours to be most friendly and welcoming.

PelvicFloorClenchReminder · 18/08/2023 17:54

It's not awful in winter at all, it's quite lovely.

It is awful in summer though.

TheThinkingGoblin · 18/08/2023 17:58

God no.

Cornwall is a ghastly place now. Full of sewage, poor services, poor transport, and poor access to medical care.

I would avoid if you are going solo with no support system there.

FuzzyPuffling · 18/08/2023 18:00

I've recently moved away from Cornwall. Beautiful for a holiday - living there is horrible.

Don't do it.

Original poster
RockpoolPeriwinkle · 18/08/2023 18:01

Reminder I get that - I’ve been enjoying the quiet coastal paths rather than the busy town!

OP posts:
Original poster
RockpoolPeriwinkle · 18/08/2023 18:01

Fuzzy what about it was horrible?

OP posts:
Tracker1234 · 18/08/2023 18:02

I have relatives there. Could I ask how old you are? I loved Dr Martin and where it was set but not in a million years would I want to live there! It is the back of beyond and a depressed area with little in the way of employment bar the hospitality industry.

Anotherdayanothermoodswing · 18/08/2023 18:02

I live in Cornwall - awful place, absolutely dire we are desperate to leave! 😉 in all seriousness though I wouldn't live in st Ives of all places - I used to live close by (carbis bay) and from my experience hardly anyone actually lives there it is mostly holiday lets so very little community feel and yes dead in Winter (although the down season in st Ives is very short due to its all round appeal)... Hayle or Penzance are much better bets for a long term move.

Movinghouseatlast · 18/08/2023 18:03

There is a Facebook group called Follow Your Dream To Cornwall.

I live in a tourist place in Cornwall like St Ives. I love it, I love being by the sea. I love winter here, its not as cold ( no frost to speak of) and when you get a nice day it's stunning.

St Ives has amazing light so even in winter it's light, never oppressive. I'd like to live in St Ives in the winter, not as much in the summer as its so busy! I tend to visit off season. Locals will much prefer you buy a cottage to live in rather than as a holiday let.

What I miss about my old life are my friends and... well, that's it! I wouldn't want to live anywhere else.

Downsides are lack of job opportunities for the young, it can be quite insular, I find it difficult that there are do many locals who struggle financially yet voted Brexit and tory.

Anotherdayanothermoodswing · 18/08/2023 18:05

PelvicFloorClenchReminder agree wholeheartedly!! 🙄🤣

SerenityNowInsanityLater · 18/08/2023 18:11

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the poster's request.

Original poster
RockpoolPeriwinkle · 18/08/2023 18:11

Tracker - I’m single, late 40’s, grown up kids who’ve moved away. I can wfh, so I don’t need to worry about employment opportunities. Thank you for the tips, I’ll have a good look at Hayle and Carbis Bay before I leave

OP posts:
LaurieFairyCake · 18/08/2023 18:16

I would happily live in St Ives - I've been there loads in winter and it's still buzzy and interesting

froggyfringe · 18/08/2023 18:20

I agree with pp, it can be quite isolated in terms of friends and family. I lost friends over time as they could never be arsed visiting and it was always me traipsing round the country until I got ill.

There is only medium hospital for a massive county so bear that in mind if you have any conditions etc.

the A30 is a nightmare if you have to commute due to endless major works

St Ives is amazing but it's very busy even in winter now, I'm glad for the injection of money that must mean but oh I so miss winter days on the prom there when it was quiet!!

It's a beautiful county, have to agree with others there are problems but if none of the above fazes you then I say good luck to you.

Good luck in whatever you choose op!

froggyfringe · 18/08/2023 18:21

RockpoolPeriwinkle · 18/08/2023 18:11

Tracker - I’m single, late 40’s, grown up kids who’ve moved away. I can wfh, so I don’t need to worry about employment opportunities. Thank you for the tips, I’ll have a good look at Hayle and Carbis Bay before I leave

Sounds like it could work!!

LlynTegid · 18/08/2023 18:22

Will your wfh be for ever? Or will there be some point at which you are asked to come to a place of work for some reason. Even Zoom ask staff to come into an office.

Unexpectedlysinglemum · 18/08/2023 18:23

I read recently st ives is one of the happiest places to live in the Uk - if you have a spare room you will always have guests visiting!
And if you hate it you could move back to se and tent out your place ok air bnb for a fortune

Gobolino80 · 18/08/2023 18:25

Do it. In my alternate life I work in the bookshop on Fore St and live in a little cottage off The Digey. I've stayed in winter several times and I love it more than the summer

TheInterceptor · 18/08/2023 18:25

I live in Cornwall. Awful weather, pockets of extreme poverty, stay inside during August, miles from anywhere ... I love it and honestly wouldn't be anywhere else.

Gnomegnomegnome · 18/08/2023 18:27

Go for it! I live in Cornwall and wouldn’t live anywhere else.
Not all locals are rude!
We don’t have great public transport, we only have one proper hospital, you do have to drive to do much (like shopping) but it’s amazing. I love everything about it!

Original poster
RockpoolPeriwinkle · 18/08/2023 18:27

I will need to go into the office v occasionally - maybe a day or two (consecutive) every 3 months or so, so I think that will be ok. You’re right Llyn, I don’t know how long that will last, but there’s no suggestion of any change to that atm. I’ll have a chat with my manager to make sure there’s no change planned

OP posts:
frustratednomad · 18/08/2023 18:30

We moved to Cornwall as we loved it as a holiday destination, living there is completely different. It's so far from everywhere, no motorway to speak of, no decent shops, just one hospital for the whole county and holiday makers are a complete nightmare, you will never find a parking space, the roads are jammed on a Saturday and all pubs, cafes and restaurants are over priced. We stuck it out for a few years and moved back home, never regretted it.

Roselilly36 · 18/08/2023 18:30

Think very carefully, what if you lose wfh job? What will your options be? Cornwall is beautiful, but in winter it can be dreary, shops shut up, and awful weather off the Atlantic. No thanks. Visit in winter and see if it suits you, someone I knew really wanted to move to Cornwall, she (lone f) decided against it when she visited in winter.