Relocating to Devon/Cornwall - should we do it?

[Lastyearsmodel]

We've done the classic thing of returning from holiday in Cornwall and wanting to move down there - are we stupid to think we should live somewhere lovelier?

We've been down quite a few times and have friends who moved there from West Yorkshire 6 years ago and love it, so we're not completely unaware of the pitfalls.

We're in South Yorkshire, DP has a secure but boring job (he says) and have DD (3) and DS (18 months). I'm a Londoner but have lived in Yorkshire for 15 years and DP is a Yorkshireman. The schools here are OK, not great, and I'd always said I didn't want the kids to grow up here.

We're outdoors types - cycling, walking, paddling, etc - is it worth the move to have better weekends?

He's seen jobs he could apply for and reckons now is the time to go. Are we being naive?

Has anyone relocated because you felt you and your family deserved a better quality of life?

All thoughts and opinions welcome - as you can probably tell, I'm a bit confused...

West Devon and Cornwall are fab. There are great restaurants; I'd eat at the Horn of Plenty rather than the Ivy (deeply underwhelmed by the Ivy last year) every time.

I currently live just outside Brussels, but miss my home in Cornwall like mad. The food is great, avocados readily available at Morrisons in Tavistock; Waitrose at Saltash (Cornwall), Tesco at Launceston; Tesco at Roborough and Somerfield in Tavi have them as well. Have also seen artichokes in Waitrose.

Trains are readily available from Plymouth; I can get on a Eurostar from Brussels Midi in the morning and be in Plymouth by mid afternoon; if you use the A30 rather than the A38, after the M5 then getting into West Devon and Cornwall is easy. Having lived in Cornwall for 14 years, I never noticed that it shut in the winter!

As for the comment made about the schools; rubbish. There are 3 grammars in Plymouth; and a range of comprehensives. Cornwall also has several good comps. Devon has a plethora of preps, some who feed Eton, Winchester,Canford and Sherborne; and there are local private secondaries as well.

No, it's not London, but that's precisely why many of us want to be in Devon/ Cornwall.

If you are seriously considering moving down, get the job first, then sort out a place to live. Rentals seem readily available and cheap compared to other places. Water rates are a killer however, and Council Tax isn't cheap either. Housing can be cheaper in Cornwall than in Devon; there can be a difference of £20-100K depending on the size of property you are looking at and the location.

MP - you should have met the staff at the Comp I taught at in Cornwall. Grauniad readers to a man; I felt uncomfortable as the token Torygraph reader on the staff.

..and the last thing; Saltash in Cornwall was found to be the happiest/best postcode to live in recently, (probably because it's where Waitrose is!)

soz for hijack, lastyearsmodel

there are some great restaurants yes. You just have to look for them. Plymouth is 'it's own' place, very traditional sea faring city. It hasn't changed much in yrs.

Torquay is very different, Exeter again very different. BUT there are loads of little towns and villages inbetween too. Google Dartmouth, Teignmouth, Kingsbridge, Modbury for a slice of just one part of devon.

It really really depends on what you want and what is important for you.

fetes, local charity events, community spirit, friendly safe schools, an understanding of nature, the seasons, crops, farming, traditional ceremonies. Thats one type of country living. Thats mostly where i live, but I can dip into the real world too eg, we have a city day now and again, we do mcdonalds, we goto a plush cinema, we do the museum.

Then heave a sigh of relief and get back in the car for some 'peace'!

The places that Scroobius suggests are all vvvv expensive (well maybe not Teignmouth). Dartmouth v posh, naval and yachtie; Modbury v naval as well (can think of several RN acquaintances who live there).

Plymouth will have to change very soon, as the govt in its infinite wisdom is moving all the submarines and ships to Faslane and Pompey. This will have a knock on effect on the local economy which seems to feature closures of factories and job losses on the SW BBC news every night (I watch it every night even though I live in Belgium). Jobs seem increasingly hard to come by. Have been looking for teaching jobs in case we move back next year, and there is nothing atm.

Devon have just made 100 teachers redundant, and there will be more to come.

The Tamar Valley is good for large but relatively reasonable housing; you are equidistant from Tavistock, Liskeard, Launceston, Plymouth, and Exeter is only 30-40 minutes away on the A30.

I loved the food fairs; the carol singing in the hall at Cotehele; putting Saltram House to bed; mooching around Tavi market on a Saturday; sitting at Jennycliffe watching the Fireworks competition; the kids falling asleep in lessons as they'd been up lambing all night; venison sausages at the butchers in the autumn; blackberrying (not done in Belgium, you buy cultivated ones here); curling up in front of the woodburner with a book on a dank, mizzly Dartmoor day; walking up to Brentor church, seeing the view and glider spotting. Going up Kit Hill for ablast of fresh air. Magic.

and the last thing; Saltash in Cornwall was found to be the happiest/best postcode to live in recently, (probably because it's where Waitrose is!)

Is there a waitrose there scary teacher....must have a look didnt realise that...wanna know what all the waitrose hype is about!

yes, South Hams is very expensive & job prospects are fairly poor

Amazed about saltash

also surprised that Waitrose haven't got 1000's of shops here, especially with all those v. wealthy tourists

The problem we found is that unless you live in the area already, it is difficult to get a job there.

Partly why we haven't made the move.

Employers with more senior jobs might have a relocation package or at least look outside the region but less senior jobs seem to expect to recruit from people who already live there.

Don't know what it is like for public sector jobs though. Probably it would be easier but I have no experience.

The other problem with work is that if you lose your job there is very little to replace it with I have a friend who has worked in a IT consultancy in Plymouth for years. About 3 yrs ago she was threatened with redundancy and she started looking about for something else - there was nothing that paid anything like what she was earning unless she commuted to Bristol. Must be worse further west.

I work a lot from home and have often wondered if my employers would let me work permanently from home with perhaps a day in the office once a week - so we could move to Fowey

From DTelegraph 10/08/09

Saltash in Cornwall is Britain's most desirable postcode.

Saltash in Cornwall has been identified as Britain's most desirable postcode because of its stable house prices and good schools, according to researchers.

The town - with the postcode PL12 - is known as the gateway to Cornwall and is one of the largest towns in the county with a population of 15,000.

Saltash, which means ash tree by the salt mill, boasts a low crime rate, stable house prices and a school in the country's top 20 league table.

Most visitors arrive in the town by Brunel's 1859 railway bridge, the Royal Albert, or by the modern suspension road bridge.

Saltash still retains some original features including many quaint cottages and an 18th century Guildhall with granite pillars.

The site collected crime data from the British Crime Survey, house prices from the Land Registry and the top schools were based on aggregate scores from the Department for Children, Schools & Families.

Sue Hooper MBE, mayor of Saltash, said: "With great community spirit, ample local amenities and plenty to see and do, we've always known our picturesque and vibrant town is a fantastic place but I am delighted to see this confirmed. The enthusiasm and support from the people in the PL12 area combined with the many organisations working to improve its environs make Saltash a wonderful place to live or visit."

My db lives in Saltash, and really likes it. My dsil goes belly dancing there; there's the pool and the gym; easy access to sailing, and not far to get to Torpoint and all the villages around that way for beaches and restaurants. Housing stock is good too. If I wasn't so fixated on being about 15 miles from Tavistock, I'd probably buy there when we move back.

How long till you can move back then scaryteacher?

I lived in North Devon (born and bred, ooh arr) for 28 years and moved away to Gloucesterhire 3 years ago.

The job prospects down there for the area I work in (engineering) are really limited. I moved to Cheltenham for a job which was pretty much the same as my Devon job, albeit paying £10K more.

I t hink unless you are public sector I would think long and hard about relocating - yes you may get a job now, but you will be restricted in your choices in the future.

House prices in Ilfracombe and other parts of North Devon are getting as high as they are in other parts of the county - you can't get a bargain any more imo. Plus, and this was a major consideration in N Devon, the schools are mostly awful (secondary schools that is) and there is a major drug problem amongst teenagers and young people. There is also a high incidence of unemployment (especially in winter months).

However, it is beautiful. And GOD I miss living near the sea. In my opinion N Devon and the surrounding areas are absolutely stunning. I now live in the middle of Gloucester and miss my views of the Bristol channel.

But, you I couldn't sustain my life on a seaview and walks on the beach. For my sake and dd's (she is now in an excellent school, the one she would have gone to in Ilfracombe is awful, I went there myself and also worked there for a time) I am glad I moved away, and I would not go back.

Depends on the RN Orm - ds has started some GCSEs this year (year 9), so I need really to stay where we are until 2012, when he has done his GCSEs. Even if we were posted back, the nearest I'd get to Cornwall is either Bristol or Swindon, as there are no suitable appointments in Devonport for dh; unless we went back to weekending again for 4 years, and that would be very dull indeed. Having done weekending for years and sea time, I find I am enjoying living with dh immensely and not working has reduced my stress levels.

Fowey is lovely, but pricey as well?

isn't it just! It's full of celebrities these days

BTW we live about 40 miles south of Bristol and we can get down to Cornwall in just about an hour. N Devon the same.

OrmIrian -- we're going with you next time to Cornwall . Then again, you probably don't have to stop at every single lay by as DD always wants to use the potty!

We live in Bristol and are fortunate to have a friend with an empty house in Cornwall, so as you can imagine with 2 dogs and 2 kids, we go there quite a bit!

It is such a different place out of season, so would suggest spending a bit more time before you make a decision. It isn't just the shops being closed, but the attitude of the people. It seems to me that some tolerate tourists in high season as a necessary evil, but out of season, you will get a better idea about the place and the attitude of the locals towards new comers. Am thinking more of villages rather than larger towns such as Saltash, Plymouth etc...

But I would move in a flash...

I have owned my house in Cornwall for 17 years; lived in it for 14 and am still considered an incomer. Hate to think what it will be like when I move back!

Not saying that Saltash isn't lovely but those polls come out about once every six months and always seem to have a different place at the top. We used to live in a place in Essex which came out top whilst we were there - dropped off the list after the next survey although nothing had changed.

You can't go by a survey - you have to go with how you feel about a place so if you are serious about moving there is no substitute for going and looking around, staying for the week, out of season and getting a feel for the place.

Ah ilovemydog - we also don't have to negotiate traffic out of Bristol! We are on the M5 within 5 mins of leaving the house. Rarely hit any traffic problems until we leave the M5. And of course if we were trolling on down to St Ives I guess it would take a bit longer! But it's about an hour to Plymouth.

This is such fascinating reading and you West Country types all sound lovely.

DP is public sector and the job he has seen is also - I think I'd subconsciously realised any job worth moving for would have to be in order to be secure. If he gets it, it would be a sideways move moneywise but in a subject he loves. I'd be loathe to let him take just any job as he's still got to do it 5 days a week, however beautiful the scenery. We briefly talked about me looking for work, as I was the higher earner pre-DCs, but hmmmm... not sure we could survive relocating and swapping roles at home. Besides, I'm still in two minds about trying for DC3...

TheFoosa Don't apologise - it's like eavesdropping a bunch of locals in the pub!

Someone asked where we holidayed but I can't find the post to get your name - it was nr Hayle and our friends work in Truro and live in a village nr Portreath.

Interesting about the reported drug problems, etc. I know Cornwall has high unemployment, so must have associated problems for young people. I guess I imagined it would be good while the DCs are young, but that they've most likely want to move away for college and jobs, etc.

DP's application form is in the post. Fingers crossed.

Hope it goes well OP. Whereabouts is the job?

The drugs problem is N Devon - can't afford 'em in Cornwall.

If he's a teacher, be careful; Devon has just made 100 teachers redundant.

Young people - almost everyone I went to school with has moved away from Devon - mostly for the jobs.

People who are still there cannot afford to buy houses in their own towns because the prices are inflated and they cannot afford the mortgage on thier small salaries. It's a real shame.

However, if you like outdoor activities there is nowhere better, walking, surfing, coasteering, boating, there is a lot to be said for living near a beach. And to be honest there is nowhere better to raise a young child. It's when they hit teenage years with the potential boredom (if you are not outdoorsy there is nothing to do) that the problems hit.

It really is a balancing act, you will have to weigh up which is the best decision for you. relocating is a brave step (is the hardest thing I have ever done) so the best of luck with everything, and good luck for your other half's job application.

One other thing - you will never get a decent takeaway curry

Yes you will; would you like the list I use for takeaway from Plymouth and Tavistock?

Everyone I went to school with moved away.... but many have moved back, and most of those who haven't are waiting for the job to turn up to move back.

I love Portreath, and it's not too pricey around there (yet).