Anyone live near Ivybridge?

[MrsOnTheMove]

We are relocating to Devon (from Midlands) in a couple of months. I have previously posted on the Exeter pages as that is where husbands new job is. However after lots of searching we seem to have narrowed down an area within Totnes, Kingsbridge or Ivybridge secondary schools - big area... I know we are currently looking very closely at Holbeton.

We will be renting initially (renting our house out too) DD's under 8 - does any one have any opinion on primary schools or good places to live. There doesn't seem to be much available Should say one of the main reasons for the move is to live by the sea... no towns/cities we are used to living in small villages.

Totnes and Kingsbridge expensive. What about Modbury? I have friends who have lived there for years v happy. Kids at the grammars in Plymouth.

What kind of school do you want? What is your rental budget?

If you live in Totnes you could send the DDs to Dartington Primary which has an amazing new eco campus.

I don't know much about Kinsbridge or Ivybridge. They are nearer the sea though.

Have you thought about Ashburton? It is on the edge of the moor, so not coastal, but it is a lovely little town. I would also consider Dartmouth if being near the coast is a priority.

i live near one mentioned, you can pm me if you like.

Ivybridge quite modern and lots of boxy housing estates. Comp OK. Ivybridge more a dormitory town for Plynouth imo.

Dartmouth vvvvvvv expensive and a bugger in summer with all the grockels. Full of yachties and naval types (latter lovely).

Okehampton? Straight onto A30 for Exeter. Waitrose and good comp.

Thank you for your replies.

Criteria is: village preferably, good primary feeding to good secondary - must be within 15/20 minutes to water. Friendly community in which we can 'join in'

Kingsbridge area we love - lots of holidays but possibly bit off the beaten track for DH to commute - seem to be very good schools though?

Totnes villages - access to train station for DH. Near coast and not quite as far to visit the midlands.

Ivybridge - we've fallen in love with Holbeton - further for DH to travel but seems to tick all the boxes....

Biggest problem seems to be a lack of 'affordable' family homes to rent - looking at £1200 max and not a winter let (which many seem to be)

scaryteacher how far is Modbury from the coast and is there any areas to avoid?

Not far to Bampton and not far to Plymouth either. Several RN Officers have homes there, so it's easy for Plymouth, Bristol,and Dartmouth. It's the first village in the SW to go carrier bag less. Good butchers, and village life.

You'll get more bangs for your buck for family homes out of the South Hams which is effectively where you're looking. It is expensive there. If your dh can drive to Exeter each day on the A30 then you can widen the search to Okehampton and over the border in Cornwall to Launceston/Tamar Valley where I know you can rent a substantial 4 bed period property for £850 per month plus CTAX and bills, as that is what my house is rented out for.

Have a look here www.gbpropertylettings.co.uk for some idea of rents around this area. Tavi is more expensive than Cornwall, but I can get to Exeter from Tavi in 45 minutes, and in about 40 minutes from Launceston in Cornwall.

I would second Modbury. Lived there too) briefly. It's a proper town with a variety of shops, friendly locals, a good primary, and a friendly parent and baby/toddler group.

It's 10 mins or so to the nearest beach, the big one would be Bigbury, but our favourite is the estuary beach at Wonwell, really magical place.

You have a Co-op open till 10pm, but you could also drive in the Ivybridge for the bigger stores (or to Kingsbridge for Morrisons).

We loved Modbury for being perfectly situated between the moors and the sea, it's easy to get to from the A38 and a good base to explore from.

and there's going to be a Tesco at Kingsbridge next yr too, ver exciting, but it will be great for them to have a choice!!

Thank you all so much for the advice.

I have now extended my search area into Cornwall - much to DH's horror - he thinks it will be further to travel. Well he did give me the task of finding a school and house whilst working full time and doing all the usual 'mum' stuff at home. Apparently I have time so I've decided his commute can be the compromise

Launceston/Tamar Valley may be too far from the coast but not ruling it out just yet. Can anyone start me off with a good school?

It's 20 minutes from the Tamar Valley to Plymouth, and less to Saltash. Dh used to do it every day into the dockyard; I lived there for 20 years, so know the area well.

Harrowbarrow Primary is meant to be good, but if you go into the Tamar Valley, Harrowbarrow, Metherell, St Dominick, Drakewalls, Gunnislake et al, there are good primaries all about. Stoke Climsland is also worth looking at. Launceston is a good comp - the new head seems to be driving up standards, and the comp always had a good feel and great teachers. Launceston is not too far from Bude, and is a lovely town with quirky shops and a good butcher as well as a big Tesco, a steam railway and a Castle.

If you want private prep then Mount House in Tavistock is excellent and I can highly recommend it.

Waitrose is at Saltash as well.