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Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

TORQUAY PAIGNTON IS IT A NICE PLACE TO LIVE ????????

36 replies

reddevilchris2018 · 09/03/2025 21:22

Hello Everyone

I need some straight talking honest answers

Whats Torquay & Paignton Like ??

love to hear from you all

OP posts:
Ameliepoulainandthephotobooth · 09/03/2025 21:23

Drugs, holiday makers and old people.

Vannymcvan · 09/03/2025 21:26

Paignton is an absolute shit hole. There are some nice bits in Torquay. Both are an absolute bugger to get to. So unless you're going to spend all your time there, find somewhere nicer with decent transport links. It honestly won't be difficult.

CornishDew · 09/03/2025 21:27

Ameliepoulainandthephotobooth · 09/03/2025 21:23

Drugs, holiday makers and old people.

What this person said! Plus it’s bleak come winter

Laiste · 09/03/2025 21:30

Ameliepoulainandthephotobooth · 09/03/2025 21:23

Drugs, holiday makers and old people.

I've been on MN long enough to know that 99.9% of the time the first answer nails it.

I knew nothing of either of these places, but now I feel educated.

Hippywannabe · 09/03/2025 21:48

Brixham is much nicer and just a couple of miles further around the bay. Have you not visited them before planning to move there???

HereintheloveofChristIstand · 09/03/2025 21:51

Absolute dump sadly.
Used to be lovely

NursieBernard · 09/03/2025 21:54

Both Torquay and Paignton are awful and I would not recommend living in either. Paignton is the worst out of them, the town centre is a no go after dark. My son recently took his wife (she is not originally from the UK) to Paignton for a day trip and on the way home she asked him to never take her there again.

Catterpillarsflipflops · 09/03/2025 21:55

Much nicer places like Dartmouth.

Brixham is nicer than Paignton but going downhill.

Go inland a bit and there are some nice places.

JohnofWessex · 09/03/2025 21:56

Paignton or as my oldest would call it PGN, the land that taste forgot.

I went to Torquay with an ex to keep an eye on her sisters house, the area was quite run down

Personally I would try Totnes - think Glastonbury with soap

soupyspoon · 09/03/2025 21:57

Ameliepoulainandthephotobooth · 09/03/2025 21:23

Drugs, holiday makers and old people.

Do you mean like pregabalin and statins?

ChorusOfDisapproval · 09/03/2025 22:03

Went to Torquay last year while holidaying in Brixham. I will never go again. It was thoroughly depressing and very run down.
Brixham was a delight though.

AreYouTheFarmer2025 · 09/03/2025 22:09

It's gone rapidly downhill for years. Town centre is a ghost town. Lots of drugs. My parents have relocated.

AreYouTheFarmer2025 · 09/03/2025 22:10

Hippywannabe · 09/03/2025 21:48

Brixham is much nicer and just a couple of miles further around the bay. Have you not visited them before planning to move there???

Dartmouth is even nicer. If I win the lottery,I'd buy a holiday home there.

EmeraldDreams73 · 09/03/2025 22:13

Dartmouth and Totnes are way nicer. Paignton in particular is a shithole! The pp who mentioned drugs, holidaymakers and old people are spot on. Plus they're a pain to get to and traffic, esp weekends/holidays can be a nightmare.

Elcad · 09/03/2025 22:17

I'm visiting Devon and a little bit of Cornwall next week and I will be staying in Paignton for 4 nights, I was excited but it doesn't sound that great anymore tonight 😅

Showerflowers · 09/03/2025 22:18

My ds recently moved from Paignton. It's very very run down nowadays. Torquay is just as bad.

WonderingWanda · 09/03/2025 22:22

Lots of regeneration going on in both areas.
<a class="break-all" href="https://www.google.com/url?q=www.bbc.com/news/articles/c1dp5qy17wqo" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c1dp5qy17wqo.amp

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Runningoutofpatiencefucksandmoney · 09/03/2025 22:24

Paignton has gone downhill very quickly in the last few years. Brixham or Dawlish far nicer

DancingFerret · 09/03/2025 22:28

Paignton is bleak and depressing, and Torquay not a lot better, although the walk along the front from the Grand Hotel to the town is quite pleasant. A drive up to Cockington lifts the spirits and there is a nice pub there - The Drum.

JandamiHash · 09/03/2025 22:30

I think it also has the highest teen pregnancy rate in the U.K.

Clearinguptheclutter · 09/03/2025 22:32

paington’s not very nice. Torquay has nice bits but not many

Brixham is a lot nicer.
Totnes (inland) and Dartmouth in particular are lovely

Lightuptheroom · 09/03/2025 22:39

Both are horrible and very run down.

Devonisheaven · 09/03/2025 23:10

It depends in what context, if you are looking to move to the area I would an avoid Paignton, Torquay has some nice areas, The Lincombes, Cockington, Livermead, St. Mary Church for example, however the town centre is awful, run down and depressing, the harbour and sea front are lovely though. Brixham is nice but not as well connected as Torquay. Dartmouth is stunning with property prices to match, Totnes is a lovely vibrant and individual town that is very well connected and like Dartmouth is far more expensive than Torquay or Paignton. If you want a hen night style holiday Torquay is well known for that, make of that what you will, Paignton is very kiss me quick arcade type of place, the green by the sea front is good for young families, it’s pleasant enough for a family holiday though don’t expect anything sophisticated.

Devonisheaven · 09/03/2025 23:12

Sorry just noticed you want to move to the area, ignore the parts of my post about holidays.

JacqFrost · 09/03/2025 23:17

By and large they are both quite rough with a lot of social problems although there is a Beverley Hills bit overlooking the sea with some really nice big houses in the Wellswood area. St Marychurch is also nice.