South Molton

[Woody711]

Hi,

I'm relocating from South Somerset to North Devon. I have considered Barnstaple, Bideford and South Molton. I much prefer Bideford and have all but ruled out Barnstaple.

I no longer work and the house prices in South Molton seem cheaper than Bideford so it looks as though South Molton will be my best option.

I intend to look for a couple of lodgers. How easy will it be to find lodgers to rent rooms to and how does South Molton compare to Bideford and Barnstaple as a place to live ?

Thank you to everyone in advance 😀

South Molton is smaller and further from the coast, as you can see. I think it has only one of the main supermarkets, quite small, a few more independent shops and cafes, a big farm store (for farming things as well as clothes and food), a farmers market, A weekly cattle market, in general more rural and quiet, hence the cheaper prices. It has a swimming pool and secondary school and honey farm local attraction, I guess it might have a library. Barnstaple has the most amenities of the 3 including a theatre, a cinema and train station and lots of shops. Bideford has a quay and has a more maritime feel. Also has a secondary school. Barnstaple has 2 and an FE college and a hospital. No Idea about lodgers in South Molto, there may be demand but I wouldn't know. Have you considered Ilfracombe or Great Torrington?

Hi Loverslept,

thanks for the information. That's great. I prefer the maritime feel of Bideford but finding the right house there in my budget has been really difficult.

Schools or the lack of won't be an issue and I'm prepared to travel a little to the coast. I'd prefer not to but that may have to be my compromise.

I have ruled out Ilfracombe as it's just too far out. Getting there is a pain. An estate agent warned me against moving to Torrington saying that once I was there I would never get out. I have viewed a few houses in Torrington which were OK but again I feel it's a little too far out (too westerly). The scenery between Bideford and Torrington is beautiful though.

Lodgers are a vital factor for me. I'm fairly sure that I will be able to attract people to South Molton who work in Barnstaple and Bideford but I just wanted to reach out and make sure.

I used to live in North Devon - Ilfracombe specifically but also Barnstaple before that so I know the areas you mention really well. Recently moved to Taunton.

South Molton is further out on the Link Road - nothing really to do there - only real benefit is that it is one direct road out towards Tiverton and the M5.

Barnstaple - Some areas would not touch with a barge pole - but consider places like Bickington/Roundswell/Fremington - these are desirable locations and all within a 10 minute drive of Bideford.
You may also find it easier to rent out rooms here too for the local hospital staff who are usually there on placement.

Bideford is a tourist trap - mostly rough areas but Northam and Westward Ho! as well as Parkham etc are nice.
Torrington is not far too.

Braunton (in between Barnstaple and Ilfracombe) is a sought after area - property is pricey though!

Ilfracombe/Combe Martin - I’d say absolutely no no from my experience of living there. Property is cheap but the place is very run down. High Street is mainly charity shops/newsagents/off licences/ pound shops and barbers - once the seasonal businesses shut at the end of October it is a very desolate town.

Hope this helps 😃

Hi good96,

many thanks, that's brilliant.

Barnstaple - I am aware of Bickington, Roundswell, Fremington. I like Bickington and Fremington, especially Fremington Quay. It's good to know that these are desirable locations and good for lodgers.

Bideford - I like Northam and Westward Ho! but wasn't aware of Parkham. Thank you.

Torrington - I am really not sure about.

Braunton - I know and would be wonderful to move to but you are so right, the property is pricey and beyond my budget

Ilfracombe / Combe Martin - I have ruled out for its remoteness, lack of infrastructure and investment.

Thanks for the local knowledge, it really is appreciated.

It's a small world. I lived in and around Taunton for a couple of decades so if you need any local Taunton knowledge I'm happy to help 😀