North Devon coastal property

[Winniemango]

I’ve read through some of the other threads regarding moves to North Devon but they seemed mainly about family living. So here’s my something of a cliche question!

Retiree wants to move to north Devon with dogs and no kids, wants to future proof so needs public transport to not too far GP and hospital, absolute must be walking distance to beach that allows dogs. Also public transport or cheap enough for taxi to allow train travel.

Can anyone suggest where I should look? Does such a place exist? I’m away up north currently so not easy to bob around. TIA

I am yes, my dogs mean the world to me x

Please don't go to Bude. ( I know it's Cornwall!) It's desperately remote, has few (and reducing facilities) and the locals are very anti non- Cornish.

I’m not worried about rain, and I know it has pretty high rainfall. It will certainly be warmer in the rain there than other coastal places I know well further north. I’m a bit worried about the roads but will be taking access to wherever I might end up into account. Definitely will be things to think about, thank you!

It’s funny you say that I was just looking at the map and how close it is to the areas suggested so far.

Is it definitely north Devon you’re after? I ask because my parents moved to mid Devon but soon realised it’s miles from everything. They had 15 lovely years there but the next move was more practical - transport and healthcare were key factors. They moved to east Devon coast in a village near Budleigh Salterton/exmouth.

They have tested it well as last year they both had cancer, dad’s is a brain tumour so he can no longer drive and the transport and healthcare has been accessible and mostly good (cancelled trains to Exeter were annoying but there was a replacement bus). Being able to access the city is a bonus for them, although they wouldn’t go often and prefer coffee shops by the sea.

good luck with your search.

My favourite thing in the whole world is opening the back door and smelling the salty sea air. I love how the sun bounces off the water and the boats gently bob in the estuary. I love the cawing of the sea gulls and sitting under my palm tree in the back garden.

I absolutely love that as soon as we have a lovely weather day I'm straight out on the beach. There's no driving for hours in bumper to bumper traffic to get to the coast. I love just strolling down to the Quay to get my milk and bread.

The community feel is amazing and there's always something happening. The farmer's market every first Saturday of the month, the annual book festival or the regatta or Christmas events. Year round there's usually something going on.

Spring arrives earlier here so we tend to get milder weather sooner and early flowers. Tourists do tend to get a little challenging but you learn to navigate the busy times.

We do get storms in January and February and when it rains it really rains! but I tend to find it passes quickly and it's definitely worth it when the sun arrives. I love a stormy sea as well so love it when you can hear the sea raging from the house. If you go round to Westward Ho you can watch the intrepid surfers brave the choppy waters!

I cannot imagine living away from the sea and miss it when I go inland.

Westward Ho! Would really fit your criteria, I think it would be a lovely place to retire to, it has some nice places to eat, lovely walks, a sea water swimming pool, a Tesco extra for day to day shopping and I can thoroughly recommend the fresh doughnuts on the see front!

My problem is that my children live in the opposite direction and my priority is to move closer to them if/when I relocate.
I grew up in North Devon, halcyon days🏖️

Ooo I've never tried the doughnuts! Definitely on the list for this summer! A stroll on the beach and a doughnut, sounds good to me.

Honestly, its over an hour to the nearest hospital ( Barnstaple), the two GP practices are full, the only nhs dentist has a 7yr+ waiting list, the banks have all shut, petrol is pricey....
It's great for a holiday and has a beautiful coastline, fine if you want a coffee or a bag of fudge (in the summer) but for everyday things you need its difficult and expensive.

But we moved after 7 years.

This is not our experience at all.

Our local GP is great. Much easier to get an appointment than when we were in the home counties. We've had nothing but excellent support from our local medical centre. NHS dentists are in shortage all over the country so you'll find that anywhere. When we've used Barnstaple hospital it's always been really good. An ambulance arrived within 15 mins of calling when needed and A&E were great.

It's not at all a problem for everyday things. petrol prices are fine if you avoid the major roads/service stations (tourist routes). Barnstaple has the majority of major banks there, so we've never had a problem with banking.

I don't recognise any of the issues you've mentioned in the time I've lived here to be honest.

But you're in Appledore, not Bude. It's a rather different place. We used to go to Bideford for cheaper petrol.
And I had to call 999 for DH on several occasions ( cancer related) and the ambulance took between 2 and 5 hours to get to us. Barnstaple hospital was fine, but DH had to go to Plymouth for specialist services they could not provide.
And I promise I'm not making it up about the GPs and other services.

I love Appledore. It would be my choice if somewhere to live, but we moved near family, the other side of Devon.

Apologies, I didn't realise you were talking about Bude. I can see how it would be a very different experience living in that region. The difference sounds pretty stark.

I'm sorry to hear about your experiences with your DHs care. I hope he's come through things okay 🙏

Thanks, @Nellieselephant . He's in remission.
And I'm very envious of your Appledoreyness!

Glad to hear it 👍

Always room for one more in the little Apple if you're ever tempted back..

Happy to hear you're back in the 'Cream First' clan!!

Well you never know....!

I've been looking at Ilfracombe and Bideford as well! Lots of people say there's crime and its a bit rough, but I've lived in really rough parts of London, so I take that with a pinch of salt. Also wondering about South Devon Torbay/Paignton towards Berry Head area, probably the only way for me will be an over 50s flat, but I have been slightly obsessed with Devon for a very long time!😍

Hi there - I live in Ilfracombe. It's a wonderful place to live, the community is incredible and there are some real gems in terms of food, wellbeing etc.

The U3A is hugely active and there's lots of walking. Lots more workshops lately in art and wellness, cooking etc.

Feel free to ask any questions.

Property prices are much more reasonable than Braunton, Woolacombe etc and there's some really lovely places around.

Braunton - short drive from Saunton beach, which I’m pretty sure is accessible for dogs all year. then you’ve also got Braunton Burrows. Nice area, nice walk along the tarka trail also and good bus route. Close to coastal walks like baggy point in Croyde. Very busy with traffic during summer.

ilfracome looks lovely in the summer, but is an absolute shit hole in winter. Would not live there.

theres Instow, which is a little village between Barnstaple and Bideford. Again, good bus route. The ‘beach’ is just the estuary, but it’s a nice walk.
think dogs are year round. Don’t think there’s much in the way of shops there though.

westward Ho! is crazy busy in the summer, but there’s a few nice options for walks. Tesco express and a little high street.

dont know much about Appledore but it is very pretty.

Interested to know what makes you think Ilfracombe is a 'shithole in winter'. We all quite like it 😂

It’s mainly my eyes that make me think that 😂

I would keep in mind your healthcare needs. There is a hospital in Barnstaple, yes, but it’s not a big one. For anything major, you’d have to travel to Exeter RD&E or to Plymouth to Derriford.

I live in West Devon and my hospital care is at Derriford. There are plenty of people I’ve met who travel to Derriford for their regular care from North Devon. It’s 50 minutes drive for me and I’m relatively close. Woolacombe is 1.5 hours in the other direction, so you’d be looking at about 2.5 hours travel for hospital care if you needed anything more than a little local hospital could provide. If you needed public transport to do that, god help you. 😂 It would probably take most of the day.

It’s definitely more of a drive everywhere sort of area. You could, of course, survive without a car, but probably not living both close to public transport and close to the sea. The trains on the Barnstaple line are often overcrowded at peak hours and get cancelled regularly. They will take you into Exeter where you have good onward connections, but it’s touch and go in the stormy months.

I agree with you @Heidinono . I've been visiting my friend who lives in Ilfracombe regulary for a decade now. In winter it's peaceful, the surrounding countryside and coast just as beautiful, the architecture just as great, plenty to do and people still as friendly.

What are you seeing that we're not @aperolspritzbasicbitch?

This is what my eyes saw 😂