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

Whatever you do don’t go to Lynton! Surprisingly high number of retirees in the world’s most impractical place to be old in.

I live near Barnstaple and have been trying to coax my mum to move here. I would put her in either Newport, Braunton, Ilfracombe, Appledore or Westward Ho! IMO you have to be on a bus route in a big enough year round community.

Yes I love Ilfracombe in the winter, watching the wild sea by Verity is a magnificent sight.

Not sure, it’s just very dreary and dire looking when I’ve been in the winter in the past.

its just my opinion. The world would be very dull if we didn’t all have different ones.
I’d happily walk around Woolacombe in the winter, same with westward Ho!
If someone suggested Ilfracombe I’d not go.

I can imagine she means the High Street, which TBF if you just looked there, on a windy rainy day, isn’t stunning but then neither is Woolacombe or Braunton either.

God I much prefer Ilfracombe to Westward Ho! We go to WHo because it’s practical (can park right by the beach, year round dog access in part etc) but not because it’s beautiful. Ilfracombe town has lovely old Victorian villas, access straight on to the cliffs etc…

And Braunton high street is just a traffic jam.

Jesus, didn’t mean to offend the Ilfracombe tourist board.
I think it looks rough and rundown. It would never be my first choice of place to go.
thats fine.
leaves more parking space for the rest of you.

Yes I don’t think anyone would relish Ilfracombe High Street, or Bideford come to to think of it but the street along the Ilfracombe harbour is lovely, no doughnuts but nice ice creams and decent chip shops!

Each to their own I suppose @aperolspritzbasicbitch .

High streets generally are pretty much in decline I suppose.

Braunton used to be a genuinely lovely village. The nature has changed alot over the last few years. It’s still a decent place to live (apart from traffic) but it doesn’t have any of the charm or quirks that Ilfracombe has. It’s more generally upmarket but Olfracombe has a much better choice of places to eat and people starting interesting arts and wellness type places.

I don’t think anyone is offended, it’s just a discussion. You’re very welcome anytime. Infact, Stacc does an excellent Aperol Spritz 😊

I absolutely love Lynton and Lynmouth, it’s on my list as somewhere to retire to when the time comes but it’s probably not the most practical option! The scenery and walks though……the dark skies!

Thank you for your helpful insight, especially the sad circumstances, hope your parents are doing ok x

Wow what a lovely sounding and happy place thank you for sharing!

Bideford no, Barnstaple maybe.
Preferences would be Instow or Westward Ho!.

Sounds fantastic and good to have decent supermarket within walking distance x

Thanks Westward Ho! is a popular suggestion!

Ah I understand …. But maybe they’ll fancy a move near you!

Why the no for Bideford? 🤓Please!

Would agree with this. Miles away from any hospitals too

Like minds!!! I hope you find what you’re looking for. I like to hear loads of opinions but will go on gut feel from visiting. I like places that are a real mix of types of housing etc. and unpretentious.

Thank you!!! Can I ask, Ilfracombe looks quite a big place, are there parts that you would particularly recommend, or avoid? It sounds like it would be welcoming to an oldie incomer?

I wasn’t the original poster but from my perspective, it’s a town on a river, not the sea like Ilf and WHo! It has a larger drug issue than Ilfracombe and less amenities. It does have some cracking restaurants and some great shops but lacks the creative edge and also the landscape is a little dull in comparison to other towns.

it’s still a perfectly nice place to live though. Some areas are much nicer than others.

These towns are all quite interesting, there’s a real divide between those in poverty and those leading very comfortable middle class lives. Because the places are small, everyone kind of rubs along together, same baby groups, kids at same schools etc whereas somewhere bigger I think has more division. I like it round here for that.

Thanks for your post! It is interesting that Ilfracombe seems to be dividing opinion a bit. I definitely like a place with a few shops to potter around.

Thank you and yes really important to be thought about. Need to get my sensible head and shoes on I suppose - too much fantasising about walking plus dogs on beach!