Moving back to Exeter

[Exeterrose]

Is anyone here from Exeter? I've been living away from the City for about 10 years. We moved rurally (still in SW!) and now the DC are teens we're hoping to move back.

The only issue is that it appears we've priced ourselves out. Our budget is now £300k max.

We left because our beautiful mid terrace St Thomas house had two HMOs on either side. It was hell.

This really affected my MH and caused a sensitivity to noise / anxiety about mid terraces. They weren't HMOs when we bought the house so we didn't know it was going to happen :(

Can anyone recommend anywhere in Exeter or near Exeter that's affordable and a little peaceful. We don't mind small houses so a 2 bed semi will do! It's more about neighbourhood and location for us.

Once I have an idea on locations I'll set up my Rightmove alerts and get cracking with the house hunt!

Many thanks, x

You'd get a 2-bed terrace in St Thomas again on that budget but a semi is, as you know, unlikely - really from the standpoint of there just not being any to speak of, as much as price.

Have a look at Crediton. Nice interesting community, really only 10-15 minutes drive away from Exeter (with lots of public transport) and much much cheaper. I think of it as being basically what St Thomas would be if you chopped it off of Exeter.

There’s a lot of new homes being built in Exmouth here 3west.group/homes/

Are you up for doing a bit of work? Because there's stuff in Exeter you could afford if so...

Isleworth Road is nice www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/125737937#/?channel=RES_BUY

A St Thomas end terrace www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/131569367#/?channel=RES_BUY

Actually a rather nice end terrace www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/131396339#/?channel=RES_BUY

Dull but respectable semi www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/130612325#/?channel=RES_BUY

Thanks Winter - DH loves new builds so will show him this!

@Persipan that End of Terrace is gorgeous!! I hadn't seen that one yet. Renovations don't phase us and nor do loft conversions and small extensions. 😊

Might need to investigate that End of Terrace a bit more 😍

I think Pinhoe has changed a lot over the years so I'm keen to investigate. Anyone local who can confirm?

So many reduced properties in the last few days. Wondering if house prices are falling a smidge!

In fact, one was out of our price range last week and has been reduced. Its now affordable so we're going to book a viewing! Huge garden too and 3 beds!

Oooh, Parkway! www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/85942560#/?channel=RES_BUY

I would say Exeter traffic has got a lot worse over the last 10 years. It’s quite stressful now. It used to take me an hour but now it’s almost 2hours with one of those spent trying to get across the city.

I still love it but it’s changed.

I agree that prices are dipping a bit. They were bananas last year - everything was going for like £20k over asking - but I'm seeing more reduced properties now.

Crediton is very nice, and the Cowley side of Exeter beyond the university. Teignmouth has rail and 'bus links. Pinhoe is now the pits. Alphington, Exminster both OK.

Prices have definitely dropped I’ve seen average 10% drops off the crazy prices of the last two years in the last two months. Things that were listed in November are now price dropping.

Thanks everyone! 😊

10% drop is insane. But very welcome!!

(House prices here are still bananas!)

I’ve just had a look on rightmove - there are many properties - 310 to be actual - 300k and under.

Is this one any good for you:

OP mentioned worries about being mid-terrace again, so I'm guessing that one wouldn't float their boat 🙂

Some of the city is now an HMO licence zone - ie no new HMOs

Oh my god!!! I didn't know this. Thank you! Xx

I might be brave enough for a mid terrace after all! ❤️

I think calling Pinhoe the pits is a bit extreme! For those of us who've lived in big cities elsewhere none of Exeter is 'the pits' really.

Pinhoe and the whole eastern side has changed beyond recognition really. So much new building and immense congestion and pressure on services as a result. Estates such as Tithebarn and Cranbrook actually fare better I think as good transport links including trains and access to A30/M5. Less good if you want to head into the city. Westclyst is pretty badly designed imo as not well connected to anywhere else.

£300k is a tight budget for a family home in Exeter these days. I guess it depends on your preferences and priorities. Are you bothered about school places? Getting to work? That would all have a big steer I'd say. As mentioned, some of the smaller towns are cheaper ie Honiton, Tiverton, Okehampton, Credition.

Thanks @StellaKinsella - I'll have a look. I'm not fussed about congestion but we do use trains and bikes. I walk a lot (to school and work)..DH works from home and just needs access to Bristol a few times a month

Annoyingly our budget would be 375k if I could find employment before moving but I doubt I can 😔 Exeter recruiters won't even pass on my CV for hybrid jobs until I live there.

Why do I keep reading Tithebarn as Tit The Barn? 🤣

Actually having just googled the additional licensing scheme expired in 2020 so that info was a bit out of date… sorry

What kind of work would you be after?

St Thomas isn't particularly HMO-ey even without the licensing scheme, tbh. It was crappy luck that you had them alongside you before.

Retrain your brain to Tithe Barn 🤣

Cycling infrastructure is improving all around the city. Exeter Cycling Campaign is good for info on this. Monkerton and Tithebarn have several cycle routes into the city, Westclyst/Broadclyst more limited. If you stay the other side of the river then cycling can always involve the river/canal paths and easy access to St David's for trains.

@Persipan Well I do project management (Marketing) for the local Council. So happy to do administration, project management, digital marketing.

Previously when I lived in Exeter my job was Marketing and Account Management. Which I loved! But the business closed down years ago.

I visited Cranbrook and I was quite saddened. I really wished I liked it. Trains, Science / Business Park and green spaces sound perfect on paper but it felt so claustrophobic.

Lots of housing estates going up in Alphington, which is certainly nicer than Cranbrook, which might be within your budget if you are open to a new build.

@StellaKinsella thank you, you're a star! I'll look into the cycling campaign and those areas. X

@RocketIceLollie am definitely open to new builds! Thank you!! X