Torquay areas

[poppym12]

We're looking to move further south and have seen a couple of properties in the Torquay areas that would seem to suit us but I keep reading about what a terrible place it is to live.

We currently live in another uk seaside town that gets bad press a lot of the time too but as we're just out of the main area, don't have dependant children or go to pubs, we don't experience any of the horrors mentioned here.

So, is Torquay really that bad if you're up on the hill above the town and don't frequent pubs at night?

Anyone familiar with Torquay good/bad areas?

I live in Torquay and I couldn't really recommend it.

On a sunny day besides the sea or walking around Cockington country park it's lovely but it feels like the town centre is dying; it's dirty, lots of closed shops, a lot of homeless people, a big drug problem and high unemployment. I stepped out of a car park lift a couple of weeks ago to a drug dealer and his clients - it scared me. It's a bit grim, especially out of season and in season it's full of pensioners!

There are, however, some nicer areas in Torquay away from the town centre or up on a hill; Ilsham (the poshest, most expensive bit) Chelston (not far from the sea front and far enough from town centre), Cockington, Wellswood and Livermead. Preston (between Paignton and Torquay) is ok. Or a bit further, Shaldon and Teignmouth (although both have their problems), maybe Totness and Dartmouth?

We would move if we could. (We rent but have the best landlord in the world and pay well below the going rate and my mum is in a care home here so we're kind of stuck.)

What’s wrong with loads of pensioners ? Are they the ones dealing? 🥳🤪

I've a friend lives in Wellswood, it's very nice. @carameldecaflatte has nailed it, I'd maybe add the best bits of StMarychurch/Babbacombe as being OK areas, as there's enough decent shops to never need to go to the town centre.

Personally I like some of the outer towns and villages eg Ashburton, Totnes

Oh yes, I forgot about St Marychurch and Babbacombe! @Ariela some nicer areas over there.
I’ve not personally witnessed any drug dealing from members of the Beige Army (as they are locally known) @Diyextension but they do tend to delay the busses in the morning arguing about how 9:20 is close enough to 9:30 to get them on for free, the charity shops are no-go areas some days as you’re likely to be elbowed out of the way for a bargain 🤣 and you have to watch out for rogue grannies and grandads popping out from behind coaches on busy roads 😬😁

Lovely bit of overt ageism there. I imagine you think you're completely non-discriminatory in real life eh?

@carameldecaflatte I also really like Brixham - we do like to visit. That artist sisters shop, the traditional linen shop (that doesn't take cards), and fresh crab sandwiches on the quay. Don't know what it's like to live in though, as not spent so much time there, but some areas look very nice. Transport more of an issue there.

@CovertImage I am sorry I offended you.

Whatever happened to a bit of comedy ☹️

Thank you for your insight. My closest 'town' is Weston super mare, about a mile away, which has the same issues as Torquay. It's not too bad on a sunny day and I love seeing the tourists descend as it gives the town some life.

Admittedly I don't venture into town very often or see the worst bits at night so I'm wondering if it might be similar living in Torquay.

A few of the properties I've seen are around Hillesdon Road - is that area ok @caracarameldecaflatte ? The others that have caught my attention are east from there, towards Babbacombe.

Are there good/bad bits of Wellswood too @Ariela or is it mostly ok over that way away from the main town?

Well Hillesdon road is definitely up a hill! @poppym12 I don’t know too much about that area but I think it’s far enough from the town centre to be quiet.

Wellswood and Ilsham are nice as has been said. I do like Babbacombe. If I had spare cash for a rental I would buy one there as I think it's great value even though it is quite elderly I just think it's cute.

I'm hoping it's far enough away. Not sure I'd bother walking into town - especially at the moment with a fractured ankle and crutches.

Elderly suits me fine, I'm heading that way myself.

From what I've read the beaches that side are pretty inaccessible? Is there a high street with decent cafe's?

@poppym12 you've got the Cliff railway down to the beach and I think disabled can drive down. There are a lot of pubs and restaurants on the high street.

Thank you, very useful information 🙂

I'd strongly advise against Torquay. You'll have to have a lot of money to afford a nice area. Wellswood and Ilsham are the places to be. The town centre truly is awful, most town centres are declining but few are as bad as Torquay. About 50 shops are empty in total. I've seen drug dealing many times there. It's not exactly safe in that part of town. That said, there's some lovely beaches in the area and you may enjoy it IF you pick the right area. Avoid Hele, the town centre obviously, Upton and Ellacombe. Watcombe isn't great either.

Many thanks. We're just back from viewing 3 more properties, one in Chelston, one in the Warberries and one near Meadfoot. I know what you mean about the town centre, it's similar to the town centre we live nearest to now. I only venture in if really necessary.

I think we've decided on Babbacombe side/Wellswood if we move down that way as it seems much nicer and much quieter than the main bit.

@poppym12 yay Babbacombe!!

I live in torquay (watcombe) honestly, i hate it here. some pretty sites but town is rubbish, full of homeless and druggies.

The beaches are always full of people. not much to do, nightlife is rubbish.

Overall its okay but i wouldnt choose to live here. especially if you cant afford a 400k + house. theres a few nice areas to live in but they are very expensive.

If i was looking at staying here ( moving in august) then i would go wellswood, ilsham (expensive) meadfoot or babbacombe

Also stay away from chelston in my opinion, i hate chelston, shiphay, torre, hele, barton or watcombe

I've lived in a lot worse places but the town centre is pretty deprived. There's v little employment beyond schools and the hospital as seasonable. I wouldn't have any issue moving back if wasn't so far from Kent family. As I moaned at the rain having been sold "the English riveria" the fish shop guy told me - torquay has 2 weather's warm and wet and cold and wet - very true. Its v hilly and chdck you've got parking where your moving as most rentals don't and its a nightmare if you don't

There's a garage at the one we're interested in @Destiny123. I thought it was quite dry in the Torquay area compared to Plymouth. Does it really rain a lot?