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Original poster

Torquay areas

51 replies

poppym12 · 23/05/2023 21:12

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?

OP posts:
Original poster
poppym12 · 17/06/2023 21:01

Thank you @Thoughtful2355. I do like the area we're thinking about, sort of between Wellswood and Meadfoot. However, we haven't spent a long time there so it might turn out to be horrible!

It does seem very deprived in areas, most sea side towns are - sadly.

Current closest town is Weston super mare and people say the same about here. Fortunately we're about a mile along the coast and it's not too bad.

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Original poster
poppym12 · 17/06/2023 21:07

Are you in Babbacombe @JazzyBBG ? Grin

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Stratocumulus · 17/06/2023 21:17

Higher Lincombe Road, Middle Lincombe Road, Haldon Road. Locally known as The Lincombes. High up on the hill, town, Wellswood & Meadfoot beach within each reach. Not far from Babbacombe.
Beautiful up there.

Thoughtful2355 · 17/06/2023 21:52

Yeah very deprived, I prefer newton abbot or Totnes /bovey Tracy/ chudleigh areas

Original poster
poppym12 · 17/06/2023 21:57

Stratocumulus · 17/06/2023 21:17

Higher Lincombe Road, Middle Lincombe Road, Haldon Road. Locally known as The Lincombes. High up on the hill, town, Wellswood & Meadfoot beach within each reach. Not far from Babbacombe.
Beautiful up there.

Yes, it's lovely. We've looked at a few around the Warberries. Current favourite it just off Meadfoot sea road, closer to the beach. Is it still ok there?

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Original poster
poppym12 · 17/06/2023 22:18

Thoughtful2355 · 17/06/2023 21:52

Yeah very deprived, I prefer newton abbot or Totnes /bovey Tracy/ chudleigh areas

I live right by the sea now and I don't want to be too far inland. I grew up as far away from the coast as you can get but I love the sea.

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dancingmum766 · 19/06/2023 10:55

I would say Torquay is worse than Weston-Super-Mare by quite a bit personally. Similar issues though. A friend lived in Shiphay which is part of Torquay. She had her car window smashed up after 2 weeks of living there, and she said it was tough to sleep every night, including weekdays, because of all the drunken shouting until 1am. She comes from Grimsby originally, and she hated Torquay. She lasted 6 months there before she escaped. Lots of drinking in Torquay. Shiphay is far away from the town centre I think too so makes it even worse. Ultimately it's a deprived area with many problems, and it's a real shame. Sorry to be negative, but I hope the areas you plan on moving to are nice. Brixham is still nice, Dawlish is nice, Paignton is similar to Torquay but with less crime.

JazzyBBG · 19/06/2023 11:02

@poppym12 no I'm not, but we stay in Meadfoot a lot and I always have a little trip to Babbacombe!

mrsdoubtfire9 · 19/06/2023 11:07

I lived in a flat in Wellswood about 9 years ago. I know it's a flat and they're always louder than houses but the anti social behavior was constant. Maybe it was a bad road but for what is meant to be a desirable area of a town it was a terrible experience.

Original poster
poppym12 · 19/06/2023 11:41

mrsdoubtfire9 · 19/06/2023 11:07

I lived in a flat in Wellswood about 9 years ago. I know it's a flat and they're always louder than houses but the anti social behavior was constant. Maybe it was a bad road but for what is meant to be a desirable area of a town it was a terrible experience.

Do you mind if I pm you @mrsmrsdoubtfire9 ?

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mrsdoubtfire9 · 19/06/2023 11:45

Go ahead

Iloveanicegarden · 19/06/2023 11:53

Look at Hannahthepink's thread below

Original poster
poppym12 · 19/06/2023 11:55

dancingmum766 · 19/06/2023 10:55

I would say Torquay is worse than Weston-Super-Mare by quite a bit personally. Similar issues though. A friend lived in Shiphay which is part of Torquay. She had her car window smashed up after 2 weeks of living there, and she said it was tough to sleep every night, including weekdays, because of all the drunken shouting until 1am. She comes from Grimsby originally, and she hated Torquay. She lasted 6 months there before she escaped. Lots of drinking in Torquay. Shiphay is far away from the town centre I think too so makes it even worse. Ultimately it's a deprived area with many problems, and it's a real shame. Sorry to be negative, but I hope the areas you plan on moving to are nice. Brixham is still nice, Dawlish is nice, Paignton is similar to Torquay but with less crime.

No, don't apologise @dancingmum766, I appreciate all input on the area.

We've narrowed our search down to the East of Torquay so quite a way from Shiphay. The area seems like mostly retired people and there are a few hotels but no pubs.

I hope your friend is happier where she is now.

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Original poster
poppym12 · 19/06/2023 11:59

JazzyBBG · 19/06/2023 11:02

@poppym12 no I'm not, but we stay in Meadfoot a lot and I always have a little trip to Babbacombe!

We called in at Babbacombe on Saturday for an ice cream. Love the views there.

Do you find Meadfoot ok @JazzyBBG ?

OP posts:
Original poster
poppym12 · 19/06/2023 12:01

Iloveanicegarden · 19/06/2023 11:53

Look at Hannahthepink's thread below

I can't find the thread you mean @Iloveanicegarden . Could you send me a link?

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Nosleepforthismum · 19/06/2023 12:02

Clearly in the minority but I moved to Torquay three years ago and love it here! Lived a 10 minute walk away from the harbour and there are some fabulous restaurants/cafes/bars to explore. Meadfoot/Wellswood are supposedly the best areas but unless you love extremely hilly walks I wouldn’t recommend it. Also Meadfoot beach is not one of my favourites. Very rocky. The town centre is deprived but it’s like all other high streets in a seaside resort and most people stay by the seafront. I don’t know why so many people hate it to be honest! There is also a lot of money being pumped into the regeneration of Torquay and Paignton and so I think buying a property down here is a good investment if nothing else 🙂

Original poster
poppym12 · 19/06/2023 12:43

Thank you @Nosleepforthismum. Very interesting to hear a different viewpoint.

I suppose everyone has different needs and wants from an area. Our offspring are grown and independent so we don't have to worry about schools, access to drugs or play areas.

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Original poster
poppym12 · 19/06/2023 13:15

mrsdoubtfire9 · 19/06/2023 11:45

Go ahead

Done. Thank you.

OP posts:
Iloveanicegarden · 19/06/2023 13:35

@poppym12 Sorry. I'm like a Skinner's rat. I only know one way to do uncomplicated things and linking is too complicated.
Basically the OP was saying that there is s... in most places and also terrific beauty. It depends on your mindset, and hers was that yes there is poverty, deprivation and all kinds of other social ills here, but it is still a beautiful place to live. We moved here (though DH is Torquinian) and are fortunate in that we live in a naice part. We don't go into town mainly because of mobility issues but also because there is nothing we need from the shops that are open. We go to the theatre for all kinds of shows and it is only a 5min drive home, we go out to eat frequently, we visit county pubs for lunch and drive around the beautiful countryside (avoiding grockles in high season).

JazzyBBG · 19/06/2023 17:56

@poppym12 hi yes I don't live there but go there a lot on holiday. Some of the restaurants have started to close in Meadfoot which is a shame but it's a good location.

Destiny123 · 19/06/2023 21:11

poppym12 · 17/06/2023 20:55

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?

Yup. Sooo much rain. But when its nice it's lovely (I've lived all over the UK due to the jots of Dr training and its got to be one of the wettest if not the winner for drowning cycling to work. Felt v missold on it lol. But id live there again if closer to family

Destiny123 · 19/06/2023 21:15

dancingmum766 · 19/06/2023 10:55

I would say Torquay is worse than Weston-Super-Mare by quite a bit personally. Similar issues though. A friend lived in Shiphay which is part of Torquay. She had her car window smashed up after 2 weeks of living there, and she said it was tough to sleep every night, including weekdays, because of all the drunken shouting until 1am. She comes from Grimsby originally, and she hated Torquay. She lasted 6 months there before she escaped. Lots of drinking in Torquay. Shiphay is far away from the town centre I think too so makes it even worse. Ultimately it's a deprived area with many problems, and it's a real shame. Sorry to be negative, but I hope the areas you plan on moving to are nice. Brixham is still nice, Dawlish is nice, Paignton is similar to Torquay but with less crime.

Shiphay is known to be rough (like hele) was told to avoid. I never felt unsafe in torquay even finishing work at 2am (lived in torre as worked at the hosp). Whereas when lived in grimbo it was always lock the car then start car

Paignton seems to have deteriorated quite a but when went back there 2y ago vs when I lived in torquay hmm 2017

movingtodevon1 · 15/01/2024 06:47

I know this is an old thread, but I'm hoping someone can put my mind at ease!
We have brought a house not knowing the area (moving from Wiltshire for work) and after reading this and several other threads on here I'm starting to panic!
Please tell me there are nicer parts of Watcombe!
The house we are about to complete on is on the top right edge of Watcombe right next to Brunel Woods, the street seems lovely and very quiet/tidy.
Also what are the primary schools like, we have two children, one is about to leave for secondary but we have several years to go with the youngest and really need to find a good school that suits her!

idontlikealdi · 15/01/2024 06:49

movingtodevon1 · 15/01/2024 06:47

I know this is an old thread, but I'm hoping someone can put my mind at ease!
We have brought a house not knowing the area (moving from Wiltshire for work) and after reading this and several other threads on here I'm starting to panic!
Please tell me there are nicer parts of Watcombe!
The house we are about to complete on is on the top right edge of Watcombe right next to Brunel Woods, the street seems lovely and very quiet/tidy.
Also what are the primary schools like, we have two children, one is about to leave for secondary but we have several years to go with the youngest and really need to find a good school that suits her!

@movingtodevon1, did you not research this before buying a house?!

movingtodevon1 · 15/01/2024 07:07

Well no.... we liked the house, the street seemed, lovely, quiet, clean and tidy, there is lovely walks down to a secluded beach.... it looked ideal.

We had heard there was a problem with the town centre and vowed to be as far away as possible, but as far as researching the area - until I read several threads on MN we didn't realise that their could be a problem..... And now i am panicking due to people saying avoid the area!