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Original poster

TERRIFIED of move to Devon next week - advice please!

72 replies

ScaredyCat71 · 11/10/2013 10:07

Hello, we're due to exchange contracts today on our 'dream' move from northern England to east Devon - and I'm terrified we're making a huge mistake. We have 4 children, our son is 10, then three girls of 7, 4 and 1.5.
Currently live in a 4-bed victorian semi. Schools, local shops, cafes, library, etc in walking distance. Primary and secondary both Oftsed Grade 1. We like it here. Local town not the best, but immediate locality is lovely. We're not moving coz we don't like, it was more a long term plan about where to bring the kids up and where we want to be in 10 or 20 years time (this is our last chance to move before eldest starts secondary - wouldn't want to do it after that.)
We're supposed to be moving to a lovely 4-bed semi-detached farmhouse in East Devon, complete with small paddock. It's in gorgeous countryside, 20 mins from coast, but I'm terrified it's too much of a leap for us (and particularly the kids).
Local primary is excellent as is the village, but not really in walking distance (1.3 miles) and no shops in village. Nearest shop is 10 mins in car, nearest supermarket more like 20 mins, as are secondary schools.
I'm terrified the children will be miserable and resent us for tearing them away for their comfortable familiar life, and I'm terrified that I will be isolated on a new house that doesn't feel like home, in an area that I'm not familiar with.
Hubby works from home, so I will have company, but will we go mad at home with our youngest, with a lovely house in a lovely spot but having to drive everywhere, or is it just last minute nerves and we should knuckle down and get on with it?
Help before my head explodes!

OP posts:

Original poster

ScaredyCat71 · 11/10/2013 16:15

That's a great idea MistyB It's so easy to get caught up in the day-to-day and forget why you did it in the first place. I am already planning our list...

OP posts:

Original poster

ScaredyCat71 · 11/10/2013 16:43

Thanks for your support Minty, you should come and live near me. You'd fit in a treat [winks].

OP posts:

RussiansOnTheSpree · 11/10/2013 16:50

Scaredy Uffculme is supposed to be good. I know people with kids there. The kids seem nice (they play in music things with my kids)

Mintyy · 11/10/2013 18:43

I moved to Devon and came back after 2 years. I don't suppose you want to hear that either !

But, seriously, good luck with it all.

specialsubject · 11/10/2013 19:06

you will get some funny reactions - still love the relative who really couldn't get why I would want to live anywhere beyond the tube map!

bertandmarble · 11/10/2013 22:49

We have just moved from Bucks to Devon. Its great!! No regrets at all and our ds has settled in brilliantly. Embrace it! x

Flopsygrowsup · 12/10/2013 00:49

Would love to hear how it goes -we're moving that way in next few months
Good luck

CakeExpectations · 12/10/2013 01:00

We moved to Devon from the Home Counties when DS1 was 1. Now he's nearing 18 and we ain't going back! Not never.

And Russians isn't wrong! Those kids really are very nice...

Thegoatprophecy · 12/10/2013 02:06

I'm another one who has just made the move from home counties to East Devon (on my own), I didn't know the area but really love it now, very happy here and dont miss the old area at all; Good luck.

PigletJohn · 12/10/2013 09:56

it does rain a bit.

RussiansOnTheSpree · 12/10/2013 10:02

No more than anywhere else usually.

Original poster

ScaredyCat71 · 12/10/2013 22:38

Thanks everyone. You've been really helpful and made the whole thing seem much less daunting. As it happens, we didn't end up exchanging on Friday after all. Monday now. Lovely to hear from MNers who have actually made a similar move and don't regret it.
I think it's the children more than anything that are causing the wobbles. They are so happy and comfortable where we are, it sometimes seems selfish for us to wrench them away to indulge our Devon dream.

OP posts:

RussiansOnTheSpree · 12/10/2013 23:55

Having said it doesn't rain here more than anywhere else, it is completely pissing down outside right now.

saintlyjimjams · 13/10/2013 00:03

I have lived all over the world, and now would live nowhere other than Devon. I will die here, and that knowledge makes me happy

Welcome to Devon. Honestly it is a fab place. I am in the middle of a city and today I caught sight of some Devon hills and they took my breath away. Tomorrow 11am I shall be in the sea. I honestly would feel half alive if I had to live anywhere else.

saintlyjimjams · 13/10/2013 00:05

Oh and I have lived oop North. Near the moors and all that. They're pretty etc etc, but not Devon

RussiansOnTheSpree · 13/10/2013 00:10

I've lived here for 17 years and it's fine I suppose but to be honest, I wouldn't choose to live here. It's better than most of the rest of the world, obviously, since most of the rest of the world is basically a shit hole, but it's not as nice as Cornwall, and it's not London. New York is also better. But it obviously beats everywhere except bits of London, Cornwall and New York into a cocked hat. And as for moors - we own moors!

I do wish I still lived in my real home but that's only ever going to happen if we win the lottery. And we don't do the lottery.

gracegrape · 13/10/2013 00:16

I think it's normal to be scared by a life-changing decision. We're about to do something similar (although not as far), but are having cold feet as it entails DP working away during the week until he can find a new job. I think sometimes the long-term plan outweighs any short term difficulties.

saintlyjimjams · 13/10/2013 00:18

God I loathe London (have live there as well)

RussiansOnTheSpree · 13/10/2013 09:50

grace I've never stopped working away (although I'm able to work from home a lot, too). I'm not sure whether it's a good thing, travelling all round the world on a regular basis, or not.

mothermirth · 13/10/2013 10:37

ScaredyCat I've done two big moves with children and am considering another and one thing I've discovered from moving is that you discover who your real friends are. People don't like change. It unsettles them and makes them question their own situation. They don't like to think that you might be going somewhere better and more beautiful while they are staying in their comfort zone.

Your real friends will wish you well, stay in touch and come and visit. The rest? Pah, forget 'em.

As other posters have said upthread, make an effort to get involved with your new community - volunteer to help with reading at school, smile at people in the street and you will have friends before you know it. Good luck, you will be fine.

RussiansOnTheSpree · 13/10/2013 10:50

We don't smile in Devon!!!

Actually, of course we do. It's a very friendly place. I mean, obviously it's a huge county and not every single village town and city is the same but, generally speaking, it's friendly and people are nice, with good manners. One of the reasons we are so fleeced by the water people is because they can get away with it - we are too nice to make much fuss! :)

mothermirth · 13/10/2013 11:04

I do Russians

RussiansOnTheSpree · 13/10/2013 11:07

You smile? Or you make a fuss about SWW? (Please imagine an internationally recognized emoticon for filthy thieving eviltons here)

mothermirth · 13/10/2013 12:15

as I pace the streets of Devon.

I would love to make a fuss about SWW but am far too nice.

RussiansOnTheSpree · 13/10/2013 12:28

As I said. The people are nice with good manners. Except for the ones who double park in the gym car park at Chiefs matches obviously. They are pond scum.

OP if you are moving to Devon you need to become familiar with Show of Hands immediately.

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