Relocating to Plymouth

[FrancescaSwan]

Looking for advice on where to live around Plymouth.

My husband has a job at Derriford hospital starting at the end of summer. We have two children (2 & 4). We currently live in the Jordanhill area of Glasgow.

Our main criteria for location is schools. Our children would be going to Jordanhill so I’m a bit upset they aren’t going there now (league table wise it’s the best state school in Scotland).

Obviously my husband needs to be able to commute to the hospital.

We have a good budget. We think our current house will sell for around 640. We made a very quick visit to Plymouth a couple of months ago but other than that I’ve never been so would appreciate some advice. It’s very daunting moving your whole family somewhere you’ve never really been. Also finding it difficult to find time to visit with having young children and both working.

We have a drive around Mannamead when we were there but it maybe seemed a bit busy. I’m looking at Plympton and Plymstock. Can anyone tell me what the difference is between these places it terms of what they have to offer? Also what about Ivybridge?

Can anyone give any advice on specific schools that are good in the area?

Does anyone have knowledge of both Glasgow and Plymouth that could compare the areas for me?

We don’t know a single sole in Plymouth so to say I’m terrified to make such a big move would be an understatement.

TIA x

Agree with this. Only one small primary so far and no secondary school. And the prices! You get so much more for your money elsewhere. Half a million for a newbuild with a tiny overlooked astroturf garden, no thanks

Also just seen about you saying you need to make a choice on schools, here application for foundation classes is nov- Jan. xx

Thanks for all your messages. I’m definitely starting to get a better feel of the area.

I agree that Sherford doesn’t look like the place for me. In terms of location it’s ok but I would like somewhere that has some character to it. New build houses aren’t for me either.

Thanks @Carrolette this gives me a good comparison. I think 5 years ago Peverell would have been the place for me. Now we’re making such a big move I’m thinking that we might prefer somewhere a bit quieter. But I’d still like to live somewhere that has some character to it. And a few shops/cafes.

Yes @rlc2022 we need to decide on a school within the next few days but apparently then can change our mind up until mid February. So this is the difficult situation I’m in having only visited once for 2 days.

I guess at this stage I’m stuck between Peverell, Tavistock, Ivybridge and Plymstock.

Would people from outside Plymouth fit in to these places? I would also like to mention that myself and my husband are from different parts of England originally but my children have a mixed ethnic background.

I was brought up in Plymstock! My favourite thing about it is its proximity to Wembury beach! Is sooner live in Wembury really, but its too badly connected. I now live in London, and I realised what I was seeking after living in plymstock is a vibe! It's very suburban. Pretty boring as a teenager, really is nothing to do at that age. And lots of old people!!
Some friends of mine live in Stoke, I quite it round there. More to do and nicer architecture. But, people LOVE Plymstock! It's pretty desirable. So if you're after a quieter, suburban life it might be good for you.

Plymstock is definitely desirable - lots of detached properties, quiet - but I'm not sure it's the vibe you're looking for if you want character. Shops/cafes are more along the lines of Iceland and Costa rather than independents.

Tavistock would fit the bill in terms of character and amenities, but it's a busy town, no quieter than the likes of Peverell (which actually I think of as a quiet area, unless you're right on the main road)

Hi Op

Access to Derriford ( by car) is easy from all over the city, and beyond.

The Plymouth facing south Hams villages- Yealmpton, Brixton, Wembury, Ermington even as far as Modbury all have lovely communities with well rated primary schools. Most of these will have children that either get the school buses to Ivybridge ( or Plymstock / Coombe Dean) or the grammars in Plymouth. Most of these have a good number of residents who work in or around the hospital.

I think you really need to decide what you want in addition to the school from the local area?

Moving a little further out is more of a rural lifestyle with easier access to the beaches and a stronger community feel, but central Plymouth ( Mannamead/ Peverell) have easier access to after school activities/ shops.

FWIW

The Tavistock road into Plymouth is a nightmare ( needs dealing but there is little to no chance) and as you have noted previously it's much wetter as on the moor!

I grew up in Plymstock and have moved out ( more rural) as an adult, it is more down at heel than it used to be.

Yealmpton. Sounds like it might suit, 2 x pubs, village cafe, Drs. And village shop and garage. Roads not too shockingly rural ( Devon banks are something you will need to get used too!😁). Good primary and 2 x preschools.

Yes jordanhill most like stoke/Peverell/mannamead area. Sherford does have a cafe…in a portacabin with the community hall next door…in a bigger portacabin. Whilst they look nice the house are identical with no character or decent size gardens.
ivybridge is fine, good leisure centre and schools, small selection of shops and cafes big tesco down the road not much character though.
Tavistock has lots of independent shops and cafes bustling market, leisure centre more going on harder to get to other places.
Ashburton is a small town lots of character, lovely houses shops cafes it’s quite foodie not sure about schools though and has a slightly alternative vibe being so close to totnes.
south Brent is a bigger village would fit your criteria with character houses shops and cafes great community very accessible to the a38 too.
then smaller villages ermington, ugborough modbury, Newton and noss all have great small primary schools. Lots of people send their kids to these and then to private for secondary

@FrancescaSwan - you can apply for a school now but if oversubscribed, you probably won't get a place as they look at your current address and generally the closest children get the places.
Knowing this might take the pressure off having to choose a place to live immediately.
You can apply right up until September when term starts and may have to make do with whatever places are available, so don't rush your decision based on schools.

What did you decide in the end @FrancescaSwan - hope you found the right place for your family.