Anyone living in Barnstaple

[waddesdon123]

Hi, anyone here from North Devon, mainly Barnstaple?
We're in the process of moving to the area after I'm taking redundancy from a job in London.

Husband is ilfracombe born and bred and we've always talked about moving this way and now seems the perfect time.

The reality is sinking in! We have two children 6 and 2 and so looking forward to a better life for them but need to think about schools, jobs etc etc.

Are we totally mad to move this way? I'm ready to leave Bedfordshire but worried about what the future may hold with job security.

Anyone done this move or can offer advise what it's like to live here now. We visit regularly so I'm well aware of the towns and the benefits but holidays and living somewhere are two different things!

Grateful for any insights

My in-laws live in Bideford, so I know Barnstaple well.

I like visiting. It's a beautiful area, especially the coast. But I could never live there, personally.

The biggest drawback for me is that the towns in North Devon seem to be dying - I'm sure it's related to the local councils' seeming mania for allowing gigantic supermarkets to be built everywhere. I've seen Barnstaple and Bideford go from bustling, characterful towns full of independent retailers to merely hollow shells. Bideford had 12 charity shops the last time I counted. The exception to this seems to be Great Torrington. None of this is exclusive to North Devon, of course.

Another drawback is the North Devon Link Road. It takes an age to get anywhere that isn't in North Devon/North Cornwall. There's the Tarka Line, which is reasonably handy - but you're still an hour from the er, bright lights of Exeter. But as you're familiar with Ilfracombe, you'll know all this.

Having said all that, my in-laws are incomers (albeit 35+ years ago) and have built a very nice life for themselves. They're very happy and live in a beautiful house overlooking the sea - something they could never have afforded in London.