Relocation to Cornwall or Devon (Looe/ Liskeard or Totnes/ Brixham)

[Coastaldreamer88]

I recently posted about our planned move to the southwest next year, asking for advice on locations etc.
Everyone was so so helpful and places we hadn't even considered were suggested.

We've spent weeks researching SO MANY areas and seem to have whittled it down to two main areas:

Totnes, Brixham and surrounding areas in Devon.
Or
LIskeard, Looe & surrounding areas.

We've booked to go and visit both areas in the winter, to hopefully get a better perspective of the areas out of season and when the sun isn't shining, in the hope we can get a feel for the communities and amenities etc.

But, I was wondering anyone could offer their opinion on these areas if you know them well, live there or even better- moved to these areas as an outsider?
We're very aware that every areas has pro's and cons and im bracing myself for a spectrum of opinions, but we're trying to get a real sense of what these places are truly like when not holidaying there!!

Thanks in advance!

Watching this thread with interest.

I see however you are deciding on South/South West rather than ' We like the N/W coast (roughly Redruth up to Bude).' from your previous thread.

Brixham, unless you are lucky enough to supply every bride in Brixham with flowers you will spend a lot of time getting in / out of Brixham.
As there is basically one road in and out.

very different vibe to Totnes.

Totnes would give you access to Torbay - Torquay / Paignton and then Brixham in one direction and Newton Abbot in an other, with Dartmoor in a 3rd direction and fairly easy access to the dual carriage to Plymouth in a 4th direction.

Can't comment on Looe or Liskeard, except of course Liskeard is inland like Totnes and Looe is a seaside town just like Brixham.

I have family who moved to Liskeard, Looe is 20 mins by car (which compared to most drives in Cornwall - it’s a quick one!).

I think most towns in Cornwall are quite similar, not much public transport, the main high streets (not the ones with tourist shops) are quite rundown.

It’s reasonably close to Plymouth too, if you wanted to get some city vibes or need more work options. I also think liskeard is slightly cheaper of the options, so will likely get a bit more for your money, it also has a train station.

Totnes has quite an alternative/hippy vibe which could be either a positive or negative for you.
Looe is a lovely seaside town but will be absolutely packed in the summer. That might not bother you though.

@OlderGlaswegianLivingInDevon
Yes we were surprised with the areas we seem to be leaning towards.. we thought we'd be fairly set on the north coast, but actually the high property prices, seasonal communities and super high tourist hotspots seem to be a deal breaker for us when researching and weighing up everything!!

That's a very interesting point about access to Brixham. It's not something we'd considered and is definitely a negative in regards to work!

I’ve lived in Devon all my life, currently live in Torbay so I’m very familiar with the area!

Do you have any children? This would play a big part in recommendations!

I find brixham is nice for a day out but I personally couldn’t live there as there is absolutely nothing to do and very few restaurants etc. I don’t even think there’s a large supermarket there?! Unless you are happy to drive further afield for things to do.

Totnes is lovely and a very friendly/ sociable place to live. Lots of lovely walks, restaurants and independent shops. If you don’t have children it’s fine but not much to do especially for teenagers.
Its high on my places to move to after DC have flown the next!
Only downside is the house prices are higher in totnes compared to brixham but not by and extortionate amount.

@SushiDisco
Thanks so much for this info!
Again really helpful and it's lovely to get the point of view of those who live locally.

We do have children, 3 boys under 7. So we're looking for somewhere with a local school.
Even though we live in a fairly large market town now, we tend to seek out outdoorsy places/ activities, so a quieter option doesn't necessarily worry us.
Although Brixham is beginning to sound like a housing estate on an island which is something we'll have to consider and explore more! 🤔
We're also aware that if we chose a quieter location, we may have to become the "taxi of mum and dad" as DS's get older. 😅

We had noticed Totnes properties were slightly higher. But we also haven't ruled out living outside of the area in a smaller village or market town. We actually love the idea of village life! ☺️
As long as there is a local school, shop and maybe a local pub, we're happy to drive to larger amenities if we needed and accept that we need to compromise and accept a bit of a drive if we want to go to the coast, which is fine!

Can't help with teenager advice,

but Torbay does have 3 Grammar Schools - if that is something that you might consider in the future ? I would expect Totnes and Brixham to be ' equal ' with ' getting in ' re Grammar School as I know children travel quite some distance.
There is a Girls and a Boys in Torquay, and a mixed in Churston - which is just outside Brixham.

Totnes will have forest schools if that is your type of thing ? I know one of the Primary schools in Dartington has a forest school. There is also a Steiner school in Dartington if that is your kind of thing too.
Dartington is just outside Totnes btw, much smaller.

Beaches, yes Brixham has beaches as does Paignton and Torquay - you may be less inclined to travel to beaches out of Torbay if you lived in Brixham,
if you lived in Totnes you could go either direction - Torbay one way and the likes of Blackpool Sands and Street / Slapton in the other, and further afield - Bantham my favourite

@Coastaldreamer88

I was driving through Totnes the other day, and you popped into my mind.

Did you come back and visit in the winter, and have you made any decisions ?