Help me move away from Cornwall

[upthem5]

I’m Cornish, but lived away in a nice city during my university years.

I then moved back to Cornwall about 10 years ago, we got married and had DC.

ever since the pandemic, I’ve been feeling this lack of “something” in my life and I’m beginning to realise that I prefer being up country, well connected with more job opportunities. I miss that “buzz” of things going on.

DC and DH have also said that they’re tired of Cornwall. DH and I grew up here in the 80s and 90s & the bleakness keeps coming back to us. I’m struggling to find employment here and I’m sick of the sexism in my industry (IT). Salaries here are still at £18k - £22k.

Anyway, DH has a great job and it’s fully remote. We need to be 2.5 hours from London via train or car.

Apart from that, we’re entirely flexible. Our house budget is about £350k.

I think living in a City Centre would be a huge culture shock so am thinking suburbs or a town near a City? A bit of both?

Can anyone recommend anywhere? ☺️
(sorry this is the first time I’ve ever collated all my thoughts so apologies if it’s bitty!)

Taunton, Tiverton or Wellington? All medium sized towns - Taunton & Tiverton are on the main Paddington line to London; Wellington is due to get a train station in the next few years.
Only 30-40mins to Exeter, under an hour to Bristol & Plymouth. All on the M5.
You can get to various beaches in around 40mins & easy access to North Devon.
Taunton has the Hydrographic Office & are desperate for IT people atm.
With your budget you can get a decent 3-bed semi.

Also the Bristol and Bath Science park was very close to them, about 5 miles away, as I remember seeing it when out with them.

How about one of the villages just outside Taunton? Bishops Lideard for example. Lovely countryside, not too different to Cornwall but more connected.

I live in cornwall and I'm cornish.
There's been some good suggestions so far. I like Southampton, we've been there a few times for peppa pig world. Paultons park is the best UK theme park imo.
Exeter is also good with lots going on and not too far to come back.
Sounds like you need to go on location, location, location to help you decide where :)

Another vote for Exeter, great city with great facilities that is close to the coast and the moors and not too far from the border.

But sadly from my personal experience you will be damned either way. If you stay in Cornwall you will suffer from less job opportunities, low salaries, expensive housing and poor facilities. But if you move out you will be forever cursed with a deep sense of hireth.

But it helps to stay in the South West and Exeter is such a lovely city.

Thank you everyone for all your replies! I’m going to spend the evening checking out IT jobs in these locations and see where I go. (maybe apply for a few if they offer remote working until the big move)

@1dayatatime so true! I do think Exeter may be a great balance.

I can already feel that low level exciting buzz that I felt was missing from my life. It’s such a great feeling!!

This has really resonated with me. I know this area very well. And I have surveying & mapping experience.

So the Hydrographic Office is literally perfect for my skill set!! I’m a bit overwhelmed but I think I’ll apply tonight and see what happens.

Thank you xx

I live near Exeter and love it. There are aome gorgeous villages near Crediton. Not a fan of Crediton itself, but Thorverton, Newton St Cyres, Cheriton Fitzpaine are all lovely.

well…. I have applied for a few jobs around Exeter and Taunton.

One of the roles (IT in the Civil Service) only asked 6 questions and it went straight to “submit”. Didn’t even ask about qualifications or work history.

Based on that experience I would say that I didn’t fill out the online form correctly 🤣 unless that’s normal for Civil Service?

We live in Hertfordshire, 30 mins train into London, plenty of nice areas. Husband and Daughter both work in IT.
We have just returned from Cornwall and have plans to buy a place In Devon in a few years as we love being near the sea.

@upthem5
You don't say how old your DC are but there's loads of stuff for kids in Exeter. Off the top of my head ...
Cinemas (one in very easy walking distance of St Thomas!)
Museum with kids activities
Libraries (main one has workshop with 3d printers, laser cutter etc that does child workshops)
Soft play
Parkour academy
Climbing centre
Leisure centres - check out St Sidwells point, just opened!
Lots of open spaces for cycling
Beaches near by!

Not traditionally normal for CS job apps to be so straightforward, but I applied for one yesterday that was also surprisingly simple. Maybe competency based recruitment has had its day!

Oh this is so true! I'm currently massively suffering with a deep sense of hireth. We've settled near Exeter rather than going back to Cornwall, but this is exactly how I feel! Have you found a solution @1dayatatime ?!

It's such a beautiful part of the world round Exeter though and not too far to go back. It sounds perfect for you OP! Hope you get somewhere with the jobs!

I recently submitted a CS job, it sounded interesting but I didn't want to work FT and it was less money than I'm on, but I thought I would see what the application process was like.

The pre-application tests took an hour and were timed, it was a low level job. I did pass them with a decent mark but it wasn't an easy test for sure, I CBA submitting the proper application afterwards.

It is was easy OP, I would say they need your IT skills badly.

Hey @naturemumma where about a near Exeter did you settle?

thanks everyone re: CS jobs! I’m still a bit baffled by it!!

We almost drove up after tea last night 😱 (I love being spontaneous and adventurous!) for a nose around the St Thomas area but DH (the voice of reason) suggested we waited until after payday because fuel is so expensive!

So we’ll be going up for a look around on payday weekend

It’ll be even quicker to come down the a30
once the new dual carriageway is completed at Chiverton Roundabout!

Taunton or Wellington. Easy access to M5 25/35 minutes from Exeter. Fast train from Taunton to London is 1 hour 40 minutes. Not far from Bristol.

Exeter / Bristol / Bath (or maybe even Bham!) I envy you, I wish I could move from Kernow!

@upthem5 So exciting! That's exactly the sort of thing that I would suggest!

East a bit - nearish Ottery and Honiton. I prefer the coast west of Exeter because it feels a bit more rugged, but actually it's nice to be able to get to loads of different places easily and the schools are good for the DCs. Lots to do it seems. We haven't been here long though so we'll see if it lasts!

We've moved from further north where we've been for a little while, but DH's job has meant we can live anywhere now and I insisted on being nearer Cornwall (grew up there and family / friends still around) after years of the nomad life, but then it's just not that practical and I wanted a few more opportunities really. I also love Dartmoor.

I really hope it works out for you, it sounds like it's all coming together!

Oooo yes, of course!

@naturemumma

"Oh this is so true! I'm currently massively suffering with a deep sense of hireth. We've settled near Exeter rather than going back to Cornwall, but this is exactly how I feel! Have you found a solution @1dayatatime ?!"

+++

Sorry but after many years I've sadly concluded that we will be forever cursed and there is no cure 〓〓

Sounds like you’ve settled on Exeter OP. I have lots of colleagues that live there and I’m very jealous of some of their weekend walks and things they post on Facebook. I’ve been there a bit for work and it’s a great city.

The Met Office is in Exeter, thats another option for IT jobs. I work for a govt agency, so not strictly civil service but I’m used to their application process if you need any advice. (we also have offices in Exeter, hence the visits for work!)

I second Exeter! So close to beaches, Moors and Cornwall when you want to visit. Good trains. Loads to do.

My family moved from West Cornwall (after 20+ years) to just outside Exeter and love it. It's got a SW vibe but feels much more connected than Cornwall does. The shops and restaurants are good. There are nice beaches at Exmouth or Dawlish Warren - both under 30 mins away by car. Dartmoor is close. You can be in London in around 2 hrs on some GWR services and it's not too far to pop back to visit any friends and family in Cornwall.

Have you thought of the area around Cheltenham/Gloucester?
There are plans for that area to be a big cyber hub, so may be worth having a look?