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Original poster

Thinking of moving to Cornwall - any advice?

26 replies

Coathanger · 05/09/2005 14:05

I live in the south-east at the mo, but getting very bored and fed up with it

DH and I love Cornwall, I have rellies there and really seriously thinking of moving.

What are St. Austell, Truro and St Ives? Been to these places many times as a holiday maker, but what are they like as a place to live? I have 3 sons who are 6 and under at the moment so need to have that in mind too.

Thanks guys!

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Original poster
Coathanger · 05/09/2005 14:06

Sorry, meant to say "what are St. Austell, Truro and St. Ives like"

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KBear · 05/09/2005 14:24

I know three families (two related to me) that moved to Cornwall then moved back. The reasons were

  1. My inlaws were getting on in years, ill health and locality to family and heart hospital became priority. Also they didn't have a car so getting shopping on buses etc isn't easy.

  2. My BIL and SIL moved there, had two children, work was erratic. BIL got laid off twice. He did lots of different part-time jobs and in the end it became impossible.

  3. Similar story with the unrelated family who live near me.

Hope not too negative, but you did ask! They lived in Perranporth by the way. I think holidays give a rosy view of life somewhere but when we visited in December it's pretty grim!

Original poster
Coathanger · 05/09/2005 14:43

Thanks KBear. I need good all round views, so thank you Sorry it didn't work out for those families you knew. Thats the reason I asked coz I've only seen these places during summer months.

Another reason we looked at the West Country is because house prices where I am are way out of our reach.

BTW Perrenporth is lovely, but I can imagine it is a bit bleak in winter

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hoppybird · 05/09/2005 15:39

If you have family close to you atm, you might want to consider how hard/easy they'd be to visit.

For instance, my FIL lives close to St Ives. We live in Surrey, and the journey to visit him should be a 5 hour drive, but it invariably takes longer as the traffic tends to be pretty bad on that route.

Also, if like to take holidays abroad, it's worthwile noting that the International airports are a fair distance from Cornwall, although it does have it's own airport for internal flights to Heathrow.

As far as Cornwall itself is concerned, my FIL really loves it - the slower pace of life suits him. He has plenty of time to spare as he's retired, so he doesn't mind getting stuck behind tractors on the roads!

We enjoy visiting, but I don't know what it would be like for a young family to live there permanently, though. HTH.

Lonelymum · 05/09/2005 15:45

We nearly moved there once and I talk of moving there every time we go there on holiday which is at least once a year! December is a great time to be there, I dond't know why, maybe because again, it is a holiday period.

Anyway, we were going to look at Truro becomes it seems the most untouristy, cosmopolitan (I know, not a word you associate with Cornwall!) part of the county. St Austell and St Ives strike me as quite touristy and any character you might associate with them might only last for the summer season.

Where are your rellies? Perhaps moving nearish to them would be a good idea as then you will know some people and have some inside knowledge of the place already.

Original poster
Coathanger · 05/09/2005 15:45

Thanks hoppy. All great points. See this is why I ask you lot, coz I get sensible replies which get me thinking

As far as airports are concerned, we don't take holidays abroad, so not really a big prob there. But my family are close to me at the mo, and that is something I have thought about. It would be quite hard for my boys to nbe so far from my mum.

Hmmm, got me thinking...

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Lonelymum · 05/09/2005 15:46

Meant to also say, I have come to the conclusion Cornwall is where I want to retire to as then all the drawbacks eg poor communications, slow pace of life etc would not matter so much.

Original poster
Coathanger · 05/09/2005 15:47

Lonelymum - my rellies are just over the border. I have been looking at Truro, too! Perhaps we could do the move together so were not on our lonesomes!!

Do you have kids, LM?

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mommie · 05/09/2005 15:50

a guy from my office moved to Cornwall with his family (they used to live in Surrey but he got bored with commuting to London). They have just moved back to Surrey because they weren't happy with the quality of the local state schools.

MaloryTowers · 05/09/2005 16:22

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
Coathanger · 05/09/2005 16:27

Oh I'm all confused now (not hard). Will have to do some long, hard thinking with DH.

Thanks for all the advice

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MaloryTowers · 05/09/2005 16:28

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Original poster
Coathanger · 05/09/2005 16:31

Will do MT!

Perhaps you me and Lonelymum could go together. Set up our own "moving mums group"!

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MaloryTowers · 05/09/2005 16:35

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Original poster
Coathanger · 05/09/2005 16:39

Aww thats a shame MT Got all excited at the thought of having some "pals" to move with! Never mind, I can help you house hunt when the time comes

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Lonelymum · 05/09/2005 16:44

Yes sorry Coathanger, we have only just moved to near Bristol so the Cornwall move will be in about 20 years time like MaloryTowers. If you do it and love it and tell us about it, I will be wildly jealous though. My ancestors on my grandfather's side all lived near Wadebridge. It would feel like going home to me, in a way.

MaloryTowers · 05/09/2005 16:47

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
Coathanger · 05/09/2005 16:50

Oh boo-hoo! no moving friends Never mind, will tell you all about it when it happens, and will help you find places when you decide its time - although, MaloryTowers, I would charge you a small fee seeing as you will be so rich

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Lonelymum · 05/09/2005 17:28

I always fancy the other side of the Camel estuary myself. What about one of those exclusive houses near Daymer Bay which go for a few million each?!

vickitiredmum · 05/09/2005 17:35

Hey coathanger! We've been considering the move to Cornwall too but the the prospect of finding it a struggle get work worries my DP. My parents neighbours DD (IYKWIM) moved to Redruth - she is there with her 2 DS's and they go to the beach to surf sometimes straight after school. She says its the best thing she has ever done - much better quality of life down there. Her parents have now just sold up and are moving close by too. If you want more regional info check out neighbourhoodstatistics.gov.uk

Original poster
Coathanger · 05/09/2005 17:39

Thanks vickitiredmum! Will check that out.

Do think it would be really good for kids. Lots for them to do and all that, but DH is an electrician - do you think he would have work? People always need sparkies, right?

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vickitiredmum · 05/09/2005 17:43

Sparkies, plumbers, and nursing/firemen/policemen type jobs i feel are required anywhere and everywhere so i reckon you are off to a good start. My DP has no formal qualifications although he can turn his hand to most things manual. I am hoping to train as a midwife so i hope that will hold us in good stead!

Original poster
Coathanger · 05/09/2005 17:44

HEY SNAP VTM!! Me too! I start my Access to health in january. Then on to uni in Jan 2007 - well, providing i get a place...

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vickitiredmum · 05/09/2005 22:55

So when are you thinking of moving to cornwall then Coathanger?

jayzmummy · 05/09/2005 23:54

Caothanger. I live in the SW and moved here 16 years ago. DH' family are "locals" so I am almost now accepted into our very rural community.

Life is definately a lot slower. You have to be very patient as things dont happen as quickly down here as it would in a city. For instance we asked a builder to come and give us a quote for some building works we want doing back in April and he said he would be with us directly...we are still waiting!!!

The way of life is wonderful and I love it here in the winter....the summer is a nightmare with all the holiday makers. A twenty minute journey takes over an hour and a half. Water rates are the highest in the country and wages the lowest. Unemployment is high due to the seasonal trend.
Food prices get hiked up during the summer months and diesel/petrol is expensive.

Village life can be tough for some "city folk"...Ive seen many move down here expecting to be welcomed with open arms....the locals arent very forth coming in being overly friendly. So many people move to our village wanting to live the dream of a little cottage with roses by the door but when reality kicks in, the beach doesnt look quite as nice when its raining and the wind is blowing a force ten gale!

I suggest you come down to the SW during Nov/Dec and try and get a feel for the area then....its so peaceful and quiet...but dont forget your wellies!