Ethically conscious relocation... Devon... anywhere else?

[justlookatthatbooty]

Dp and I are considering moving back to the UK and are homing in on a couple of areas, one of which being Devon (Dartmoor/Newton Abbot area). We are also open to other areas though and I would really value your tips/advice.
We want to live in a rural setting and as consciously as possible. We also want to connect with others living this way (rural or not) in the area, or at least to feel we are living in a community of other active, possibly adventurous, outdoorsy ethically conscious types! I am wondering if anyone has any feedback about this area. One of my reasons for this area is a forest school nursery setting for my young DC's. I really want them to reconnect with nature and am a huge fan of them spending large amounts of time outside and possibly on an off the grid setting.

Any tips?

Mid-Wales, you can't move for ethically conscious bods here.

(but have you considered that it's far better for the environment to live in a city, taking up a small space, walking everywhere, sharing heating and facilities, etc?)

Thanks storm water! I am just about to die a city death. I absolutely cannot stand another month of it. And that my kids exposure to nature is an annual camping trip bothers me immensely. Was planning to cycle and use public transport as we do in Holland.

Mid Wales sounds lovely.

Thanks for the tip!

Lots of space for your money, with huge swathes of space to use even if the amount you actually own is tiny, with forests, mountains and open ground. Lots of little market towns (check out Llanidloes, very pretty and a big eco- centre in terms of the people who live in the area, also Presteigne). Lots of the primary schools do Forest School activities, but even if they don't there's so much farming in the area that children learn a lot about it anyway. Good access to the coast, but also not too far to get to good road and rail networks for travel. The only downside is less access to well paid jobs, so ideally an internet or home based career can bring in a better income - unless you're a plumber or similar, or don't mind travelling (which I guess you would, given the eco-ness of your hoped for lifestyle!). Have fun looking, you'll find the right place for your family.

we just moved to totnes.

it's fab.

Fife

A lot drier than Wales

And the marvellous Secret Garden Outdoor Nursery

But I'm afraid whichever way you look at it, the amount of petrol we burn living here means we cannot pretend to be green ...

I would definitely look at Llanidloes and Machynlleth (and Corris just outside Mach).

Have you also considered looking at intentional communities - lots of ideas in Diggers and Dreamers - its a good option if you want to live rurally and avoid the trap of ending up driving everywhere to have a social life.

Pembrokeshire isn't that wet, Wailing

But I have to say though I love it to bits and now have lots of friends here there is slightly too high a ratio of new-age-y greens to rationalist-scientific-outdoorsy-greens for my taste. I suspect the same is true but even more so in places like Totnes. Of course it depends what sort of greeny you are, OP

If I was choosing a place to live simply starting from scratch (and didn't have to take my work into account) I would go for Machynlleth.

Frome or Glastonbury.

Totnes! You want to be in Totnes. It's great. Whereever you are on Takver's continuum (new age vs science), it's here - check out Schumacher College. South Devon is glorious. And you can come and have a coffee in my shop : )

we need a totnes meetup.

i don't know anyone yet.

well come and say hi, I own Astrid's Adventures on Ticklemore Street and I'm there mon-thu 10-2, and fridays 10-5 : )

sounds fun. i'm working full time as of tomorrow though.

would you come to a meet up if i tried to arrange one?

We moved to a Devon village and our carbon footprint here is much lower than where we lived before, in a major city - but we were very careful about where exactly we moved to as not using cars daily was a big priority for us. We have found it full of eco-types, community-minded people, etc. We like it a lot.

Newton Abbott is nice, good train line, Totnes very lovely too but we are totally on the rational-scientist-outdoorsy side of Takver's continuum and I do find Totnes rather too crystal-and-tarot. But then it was the first Transition town...

My dc do spend a lot of time outside here (and we do too), it's one reason we moved and it did work for that. in fact we feel pretty positive about it here all round. The only real downer for us is long term job prospects, they are OK at the moment but that's the only thing I'd move away for.

We are in Ilkley. and I would recomend from an eco point of view, small town, good rail links, moor and river walkable distance and beautiful woods. Schools are not especially eco but all 4 primaries are " outstanding". We have no car and manage well. You do have to look hard for the like minded souls though as is thought of as " posh" spa town. But 20 minutes to Leeds on the train doesn't half inflate the house prices

My first thought when I read your OP was Totnes. Would suit you perfectly

Drowning I'll be in Totnes tomorrow. Might just pop in to your shop and start talking about pombears

Other Devon villages you might like to check out are Modbury (S Devon, closeish to Plymouth. Plastic bag free town), and Chagford (middle of Dartmoor. All felt workshops and beetroot cake). But neither of those is on a train route.

Stroud, Glos.

Thanks for your suggestions!
Only just tuned back into this thread.

Devon continues to appeal, perhaps a little out of Totnes.
On the other hand, Portugal or Andalucia are seriously tempting me.
I shall continue to ruminate and thanks again for tips and sharings.