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Original poster

Advice on Moving to Devon

48 replies

Mum0ntherun · 29/10/2016 10:18

I can see that this comes up every couple of years so hoping you are not all tired of it 😂

Just wondering how people have felt about relocation and the schools in and around Tiverton? I've looked on line at Blundells and Exeter and of course they look great online so I'm looking for real knowledge! I am looking at living between Tiverton and Exeter as I'm at heart a city girl and will be flying to London every other week for work. The middle of nowhere is not for me but I do want to have some space around me as Surrey is starting to feel claustrophobic. Sorry I'm rambling but I would love to know your thoughts and experiences of places to live, how you feel you've been welcomed and what the schools are really like. DD 13 and DS 8. Thanks all.

OP posts:

JustRichmal · 03/11/2016 07:56

I chose to move here and love living here. One word of advice I would give is to rent for a year or so as living somewhere is totally different to visiting it. If I had bought straight away I would have been living in entirely the wrong place for me, or would have had the expense of another move.
I cannot advise on schools as mine goes to state.

Original poster

Mum0ntherun · 03/11/2016 09:05

Ladies thank you. Some good suggestions. We're down here at the mo so having a good look around. Planning a second trip later in the month too.

OP posts:

Jollux · 05/11/2016 13:56

Blundell's is a good school, not too academically pressured and keen on sports. Exeter School is wonderful, I have friends who sent their children there. Academically good and good on sports too. Exeter Cathedral School is lovely if you're looking for prep, very family-orientated and a nurturing environment.

As for living, I would recommend Thorverton, Silverton and Chagford to the north/east of Exeter. Topsham is lovely but very expensive. The villages to the west of the M5 around the Blackdown Hills near the Somerset border are all very nice - Uffculme etc. If you wanted somewhere with a town/country feel, the Wellington just over the border is lovely and has the very, very good Wellington School.

Biscuitsneeded · 05/11/2016 21:22

How about East Devon? Some very good schools and very handy for Exeter airport, or a choice of train routes into Paddington or Waterloo.

Legrandboucle · 12/11/2016 20:51

I moved to Exeter from Edinburgh 10 years ago and enjoyed having more space. We first moved to Pinhoe which was really nice and close to the M5 on the east. There wasn't such of a community feel on our street but that's probably a problem with commuter suburbs everywhere. We have subsequently moved to a village to the west with a great community but it is very rural.

There is a new town called Cranbrook which is close to the airport on the east. It would be worth having a look at as it's rural but close enough for schools in Exeter. Ottery st Mary is a nice town to the east with a good state school. Alternatively, Uffculme to the north of exeter is a good location with good state school. If you're set on private school then I would recommend Exeter school.

In terms of housing then it depends on your budget. If you can afford it then Topsham or Pennsylvania would be worth looking at.

donajimena · 12/11/2016 20:58

I've not lived in Devon but have spent time there visiting extensively. Not on holiday so no rose tinted specs. Loved Newton Abbot but Tiverton wasn't my bag. It just felt 'dead'
I liked that you could get to the beach easily from Newton Abbott.

Original poster

Mum0ntherun · 12/11/2016 21:08

Thanks Ladies. After a good look around we're more focused on Exeter for schools as I agree Tiverton is a bit sorry for itself at the mo. Not central Exeter but villages/Towns around and am back down next weekend so thanks for all this advice as it is really helpful in helping us decide.

OP posts:

Biscuitsneeded · 14/11/2016 21:31

Ottery St Mary? (King's School). Very easy for Exeter and airport. Or of course there's the grammar at Colyton if your DC are so inclined ...

misson · 17/11/2016 22:56

Lovely part of the world. Be very aware of commuting times though. What looks like 30 minutes on Devon roads can easily be 90.

I appreciate that you would like advice on villages but this is tricky without knowing what size of village and what type of school.

Sounds like you are keen on private schools in Exeter? The train links to London are good. Most villages have a few hundred people. Then there are bigger places round the Exe such as Topsham. With children in school in Exeter I would live in the city or very close by.

CrazyforCrochet · 24/11/2016 10:38

I'm from the City originally, but we moved to Devon a few years ago. We used to live in Tiverton, we quite liked it, but moved as we didn't like the idea of the High School and couldn't afford Blundells, which looked a lovely school. We now live in East Devon - the King's School has an 'Outstanding' Ofsted report.... we think it's a quite good school. There is also Colyford school, which is supposed to be good. There are also some very good schools in Exeter, but we didn't want the commute in to the school. Commuting in Devon can be a pain - it seems to take ages to get anywhere and the narrow country roads can be difficult. I would say choose your school first, then see where you want to live after that.

listsandbudgets · 24/11/2016 15:15

if you are looking at Exeter don't discount Maynards for your Dd.

Dahlietta · 25/11/2016 14:48

I can recommend Sidmouth and Budleigh Salterton areas if you want a bit of a town feel, but not in a city per se. Lovely villages around there too and easy access to Exeter, which is indeed a very nice city.

Nicsywicsy · 18/01/2017 14:06

Hi, I am currently in the same situation! Considering moving down from the south east and looking around Exeter as would like to send my son to Bramdean. There is a school bus so have a bit more flexibility than just Exeter - did you find any amazing places yet or are you still looking?

Original poster

Mum0ntherun · 19/01/2017 19:14

My daughter just got accepted to the Maynard and we are waiting Exeter results, son will be doing the Exeter assessment day soon. Got 3 houses on my radar and have put an offer in on one though renting for 6 months is also a possibility - so all systems are go. Am very excited. We've spent a lot of time down in the area exploring and found some fabulous places. My kids are an adventurous lot so they are all looking forward to it even the 18 yr old whose off to uni soon. Glad we're making the move.

OP posts:

Kc1987 · 27/10/2017 20:41

Hi all,

Really interested to see how your move went. I am relocating to South Molton in December, I work as a nurse so looking for work at the moment. We have applied to a good school for the children and looking forward to a much more active outdoor life than Essex! We have family there also and parents moving out that way in the new year! Would love to hear your update

Original poster

Mum0ntherun · 27/10/2017 21:22

Hi - we moved down in July and are renting for a year in the centre of Exeter. Kids are absolutely loving their schools and have already made lots of friends. It’s a bit harder for me to make friends as I work in London a couple of times a month and then work from home but I am getting to know some mums from school and plans are set to go out for drinks. Exploring the area and deciding where to buy. As yet no regrets! Good luck with the move.

OP posts:

Kc1987 · 27/10/2017 22:24

That sounds lovely! What areas are you leaning to?

disahsterdahling · 02/11/2017 11:36

I thought the comments on here were a bit weird. I grew up in Devon and it did seem a long way from everywhere back then but things have changed a lot.

Exeter is a great city, sadly people are cottoning on and the prices are going through the roof. I would be very happy to live in Exeter and haven't completely ruled it out but I am not sure we'd get enough house for our money, even coming from an affluent part of Hampshire. If the OP has moved out of London they should have a decent budget though.

Sadly Torquay has become a bit of a dump, the shops in the centre are awful but that's probably partly because of the retail park on the outskirts. The sea front is nice though.

TonTonMacoute · 02/11/2017 14:07

There is a huge amount of new development planned around Exeter. There’s Cranbrook obviously which is already happening, but now we have GESP (Greater Exeter Strategic Plan) looming too. Thousands of new houses are also being planned for Teignbridge and the South Hams, plus the garden village at Cullompton. I don’t think there will be any shortage of houses.

Bohemond · 02/11/2017 14:10

I'd look at Taunton. 3 superb public schools and from next year there will be one fast train per hour in to Paddington (1 hr 43 so not sure why you'd fly?). I live in the Quantocks above Taunton which is beautiful and close enough to Bristol and Exeter to indulge any city needs.

Bohemond · 02/11/2017 14:15

Whoops - that advice came a bit late. What business are you in OP? I do similar work from home and in London once a week and am always on the look out for new friends!

carrie74 · 06/11/2017 10:15

I went to one of your schools OP in Exeter and had an amazing time with lifelong friends. Several of my contemporaries have settled in and around Exeter, and I think it’s a lovey city to live in. I grew up in a village in E Devon, was a lovely upbringing but a tad lonely (until I was 16 and started going to the pub). Glad you feel the move has been positive

Colcat50 · 18/02/2018 14:06

Hi
Don't know if you have already made the move to Devon, but we did just the same as you last year. Moved to Devon from Surrey and our daughter was 12. She attends Kings in Ottery St Mary and loves it. Children very friendly and lots to do here as well as beaches. My daughter joined the swimming club, gymnastics, hockey and dance club and is very happy. You can get to lots of places as centrally placed, although I agree north Devon is very isolated and a lot of locals here wouldn't move there because there is not much going on. We moved as my parents live in Somerset and we knew no-one in Devon but have settled really well. Go for it and good luck

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