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

Personally perhaps you wouldn’t want to live directly on the High Street or up Oxford Grove but other than that, everywhere is pretty lovely! Chambercombe is the more upmarket end of town but there’s not really anywhere much to avoid. Crime is generally petty, drug dealing and shoplifting. Every now and again a few cars may be tried to rob but it’s really rare. I regularly go out and leave windows and doors open and unlocked. I’ve never heard of a house burglary - I think once I heard someone had their bag nicked through an open window but that was it.i feel very safe walking and at night.

the community is incredibly welcoming. You might have problems fighting them off. It’s very active - walking, talks, cinema etc. we have the art trail and there’s a sea shanty festival starting, a Sea Ilfracombe festival, and a photography festival too. You wouldn’t get bored! I’m not retired, still quite a few years to go but my work puts me in contact with a lot of these groups and I can’t wait to ditch work and get involved!

Hi and yes I agree! I’ve lived in hard to get to places during my life and no way would I want anything out of the way. I never really understand those homes shows where the retiring couple wants a couple acres of land!

I remember the old saltwater swimming baths in Ilfracombe.

Thanks for that interesting perspective x

Thank you - you are really selling it to me! I love the sound of arts and wellness and sea shanties x

Thank you - I appreciate each and every reply. I’m sorry if I’ve missed acknowledging anyone it isn’t intentional I didn’t expect so many fantastic replies and so might have missed.

This thread has been joyful maybe that’s a good omen for my future hopes! I will enjoy researching online and plan my road trip and see where that takes me!

The locals are very friendly! We retired here two years ago from London and have not regretted it for a second. Yes, it’s remote, the hospitals are at least an hour away but we had no trouble getting a gp or appointments. The banks have closed but a banking hub has opened last month. Lots of eating and drinking places, live music, stunning coast walks, variety of shops. And all open during the winter not just for summer tourists. Obviously have to go to Barnstaple or Exeter for retail parks etc. @Winniemangoif you come here, you will have a choice of properties for your budget.

Good luck, OP!
Tonight's a write off for me, I'm afraid, Rightmove beckons!!

Love Appledore!

Last one! https://open.spotify.com/track/2L6u7X640H53xTbQaVXJ4R?si=ced0f99ff77947b3

I find it run down, especially the town centre. Bideford is within what is considered the most deprived district council area in Devon, (Torridge).
I don't live in the area, but further west, so apologies if I'm wrong.

Glad you’re enjoying where you’ve settled! It sounds lovely x

Haha sorry but hope you found some possibles! Thanks for the link love it x

For OP, and other North Devon enthusiasts, I wouldn't rule out SE Devon such as Sidmouth.

Lovely beach, cliff walks, lots of dogs, nice town, 200 year old department store just off the beach, UK's biggest folk festival, annual airshow (funding permitting), The Byes. There are animal rescue centres nearby such as ARC, Honiton Greyhound Trust, Forever Hounds, Fearne, etc. And a Donkey sanctuary.

From a practical perspective, we had a recent health alert. Routine scan Saturday in Seaton, Consultant called Monday, full PET scan arranged in Exeter Friday, further tests and results a week later. You should be ready for the practicalities and we have been delighted with service so far.

Doh! Forgot to add that Sidmouth and SE Devon featured on Escape last Tuesday. Now available on iPlayer if you have a TV licence.

As a Devon native you couldn't pay me to live in Ilfracombe. I'm sure some people love it but I know through my work that the place is swamped with drugs and related crime such as county lines. Quieter (and safer) towns would be Westward Ho! Or Woolacombe

Thank you and that’s very sad, County lines are such a scourge preying on vulnerable people.

Thank you for the info and your other helpful post! x

This thread has been joyful maybe that’s a good omen for my future hopes! I will enjoy researching online and plan my road trip and see where that takes me!

It is a joyful thread, OP - I've never been to Devon but it's inspired me to start planning a holiday there this year.

Been googling Rightmove properties in Appledore 😊

Promise to keep us updated OP!

have a look at Yelland and the villages between Barnstaple and Biddeford - along the Taw estuary. Very accessible and on the water.

Hope you have a lovely holiday!

Thank you for those suggestions - I’ll have a look!

Thanks for this suggestion - I watched this, and there’s another south Devon one from a few weeks ago I also watched.

Being honest though it looked very nice, nowhere I saw made my heart sing. For comparison, I went onto YouTube straight after and watched a couple in north Devon - Westward Ho! first stop and I felt so different especially that huge wild beach! Will keep an open mind still, and of course these are just starting explorations, but interesting how I felt!

OP, we are in the process of moving from Scotland to Dorset this weekend after posting a thread like yours two years ago. We ended up doing about 4 reconnaissance missions to rule out places. We Airbnb’d homes in neighbourhoods we fancied and narrowed it down to one postcode. Then we did a remote Rightmove search for about six months learning about the streets and homes in our budget. At the same time we did a massive declutter- quite ruthless- and we started getting our house ready to sell. You can get photos done in advance etc and be prepared. I’d recommend being ready to sell as being as important as searching - they both need to go hand in hand.

After all the lovely talk about Appledore we took a drive out earlier and are now sitting in the Seagate Inn waiting for a Sunday roast. It’s certainly nice here!