Moving to North Devon Suggestions

[LilyRo1]

Hello 😊

We're really interested in moving to North Devon - it's me and my husband (late twenties) and two dogs. We're looking to start a family, so we need to be near good schools/would like to be in an area with like-minded people/young families.

We will be moving from Bristol - away from the busy life etc. However, we still enjoy a pub drink/cocktail/dinner out - as well as time on the beach.

Any of you based in North Devon of similar age and have any suggestions?

Thanks!

@Onthemoveee us too!! Okay, fab suggestion - thanks! Hope everything goes well with your move

We moved to just outside of Barnstaple 6 years ago - didn’t want to spend ages driving everywhere so it was important the kids to get to and from school/town on their own (it’s cycling or walking distance, and there’s an hourly bus), and easy access to the leisure centre for swimming lessons etc! It’s panned out now that we spend lots of time driving to Bideford and Woolacombe for other activities though…

the traffic in Braunton drives me mad but I think it would be a nice place to live - I’ve been told it’s cliquey but think this probably depends on what scene you’re trying to crack into.

Woolacombe definitely isn’t just retirees & holidaymakers, there’s a primary school there. It’s technically catchment for Ilfracombe secondary and not Braunton, although historically kids have gone to Braunton from there. But I would not bank on this as they are building in Braunton at the moment. So I would check out Ilfracombe school and see what you think.

Ilfracombe has an arty/hippy crowd attracted by seaside life with cheap property prices (Victorian villas mostly) overlaying a depressed seaside town. We didn’t like the school but it was 6 years ago we looked around.

@Onthemoveee us too!! Okay, fab suggestion - thanks! Hope everything goes well with your move

I recently moved to north Devon and before I came here I didn’t favour Bideford area but now I am here it’s so much better than Barnstaple which always seems to be a massive traffic jam. We live 6 miles inland from Bideford with hindsight I would have preferred to be appledore way. Need a car where I am and the country roads are often blocked or closed leading to lengthy diversions. You can get most things you want in Bideford or Barnstaple but online for my favourite retailers that aren’t in the area. If you need regular medical care it is a trek to the hospital not just Barnstaple but some services are in Plymouth or Exeter. Worth considering if there are health needs

If you shift eastwards a bit, Dulverton is a nice small town, although it may be a bit aged for you.