Southend to Torquay?

[ShortLion]

Hi all,

My partner and I currently live in Southend. I would like to move to South Devon where my family live and where my heart is.....I do not like Southend (no offence to those who do!), it is not my cup of tea I do not feel safe walking around at night, especially in the town centre.

However I have been doing some reading and from what I have gathered, Torquay is a horrid, drug riddled scummy place where I would feel just as unsafe?

Does anyone have any opinions on this?

My family are in Brixham and Totnes however my partner wants to be as close to the sea as possible (so not Tornes) and in Torquay as it is more central and busy than Brixham. Personnally I like to be away in quiet rural areas but he prefers busy places.

Thanks in advance for any advice/opinions :)

I hear Newquay is nice

Falmouth is gorgeous.

I think you need to go for a visit for say a week and drive/walk around the areas you're considering. That will be much better than reading other people's experiences.

Thanks Hoot :)

I go about three times a year on holiday and my OH came once recently but there it is impossible to squeeze in all the beauty! Think there are a few new places to check out though :)

Well I used to work in Southend and live in Benfleet, which I preferrred. I asked on here about Torquay last year and got a fairly negative vibe from MNs. We drove down to have a look and frankly I couldn't see myself living there. There were some nice parts but overall I wasn't keen. I currently live in Wiltshire which I love but fancied being closer to the sea.

Exmouth? Not far from Exeter for shops. I wouldn't want to live in Torquay myself.

What's wrong with southend? Admittedly the town centre isn't the best but on the outskirts in leigh and thorpe bay it is just lovely and defo not as grim as Torquay (highest number of teenage pregnancies in the country I hear)