TERRIFIED of move to Devon next week - advice please!

[ScaredyCat71]

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!

[PigletJohn]

not much rain today, really

[RussiansOnTheSpree]

Not much. Just the whole day.

[saintlyjimjams]

It hasn't rained until quite late in my corner of Devon today. Although my wetsuits didn't come in from the garden very dry....

[RussiansOnTheSpree]

Pissing down all day here. But 2/3rds of the kids were in rehearsals practically all day, for the panto and the musical. And the other one was perfectly happy to spend all day watching proper Dr Who. So it was a win win situation really.

[CakeExpectations]

Hmm, Russians, I feel you are excitingly close...

What is this "musical" of which you speak? Does it begin with a G, perchance?

[RussiansOnTheSpree]

Nope. A.

Now I'm wondering what G musicals are going to be on in the next few weeks near here....Grease? Godspell? GiGi?

[holmessweetholmes]

I'm jealous too! We are currently looking for jobs in the South West, preferably Devon. All the very best - I'm sure it will be fab.

[Retroformica]

As long as there are buses, your kids will be fine.

[RussiansOnTheSpree]

Ah. You might want to rephrase that...

[CountryMama]

I'm in east Devon and it's my dream life. I grew up in the Home Counties but moved here when I got married. Honiton is great. You will have culture shock to start with but in a few months all will be well. If you are in need of more specific local knowledge ask away. :)

[CakeExpectations]

No Russians, just a local village production, albeit quite a major undertaking. GMT, it's affectionally known as hereabouts.

No worries, thought I may have finally discovered that rarest of breeds - a MNer around here.

[RussiansOnTheSpree]

Well, Devon is quite a big place....:) I can't think of a musical with the initials GTA. I hope it goes well for you! I think our one is a bit easier to guess.

The rain may possibly have just stopped.

[AnnaGB]

Hi Scaredycat, just read this thread and in very similar position though looking at places in West Dorset/Devon borders.

How did it turn out? Did the children settle? We have family down there so there will be some support but concerned about moving our children who are similar ages.

Would be interested to know if they found it easy to slot into sports teams, Guides/Brownies etc? Hope to move by summer. ??

[holmessweetholmes]

We've just moved to a more rural area, but from south east to north west England. Absolutely loving it! Of course you're nervous -it's a big move. But the place sounds lovely. Devon was the other place we were considering when we started looking for places to move to. We are just south of the Lake District national park and right on the coast. Your kids will love it.

[holmessweetholmes]

Oh... just seen this is a zombie thread!

[AnnaGB]

Don't worry, not a zombie thread, and so glad you made your move and are happy with it :-) Just wanted to know how things actually turned out for Scaredycat as it's always re-assuring to hear the final story, warts and all, followed by happy ending.

[holmessweetholmes]

Thanks

[oinker]

We are planning the move for next May too.

You are right.... I would have been interested in seeing the outcome.

We are moving to Devon/Dorset area. Would like to be near to Lyme but not in Lyme. Not sure where yet. Moving from London is going to be a shock to the system but I think we are ready. Kids have a taster day at a new school in a few weeks....

[SuperFlyHigh]

Just thought would let you know a close friends decision. They moved from SE London/Kent to Exmouth partly a family move too.

I think they get shopping delivered but the boys are at private school in Exeter (youngest had a Montessori school education nearby beforehand), they're into sailing, the beach, Exeter is their nearest town but so are places like Budleigh Salterton, Teignmouth etc. Darts Farm is great i know it well as we drove or got a bus to it from Exmouth.

Exeter has really got lots more going for it amenity wise nowadays. Also they did trips to Bristol, Bath and Plymouth (Plymouth as relative lived there).

Compare the quality of life there to London and they wouldn't move back.

My ex boss also moved from Surrey town to near Torquay 2 years ago and loves it, totally involved in village life, cricket/rugby teams etc.

[Lelivre]

We love it here it's so nice to be near beautiful countryside and coastline. Although saying that, I grew up in a rural area and wouldn't chose to raise my kids in a village too far from the city (we are walking distance from centre).

Re water charges...we have slashed our water bill with a A++ dishwasher A+ washing machine, new boiler and 'air-spray' kitchen tap and shower head (all done as part of our renovation). Just found out this week - from £90 to £33 (partly this is because we are in credit but still a big difference in our usage).

[Oofy2016]

Scaredy- I’m about to make the same move you did- how did you find it in the end? I’m really really nervous.
My biggest concern is schools- they are small, and ofsted ‘good’ - but we are moving away from an ‘outstanding’ one. I feel I might be letting my children down and reducing their options from an academic perspective. (I realise this sounds crazy, and actually, reducing competitive parenting is one of the reasons I want to move!)
Be great to hear your perspective.
I actually also love where I currently live, great friends and good support- but there is no exmoor and no sea and no land to put orphan lambs on....and that’s always been the dream.
Eek.
Thanks for any advice!