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...

This month's Coast magazine has a property special. Might be worth a look...

Hi
OK, from the horses mouth...
I lived in London for 28 years
I moved to Cornwall
I moved to PLYMOUTH, Devon
I moved to the Midlands
I moved to Scotland where I live now
I wish I'd never left PLYMOUTH !!

GO THERE - Live in or around Speedwell, Thornbury or Eggbuckland.
Eggbuckland School is top notch for secondary education, as are many others.
As Plymouth is a big and developing city there are jobs, industry, commerce, good Internet and 3G (4G coming), shops, retail parks, garden centres, countryside, seaside, pubs, clubs, sunshine, icecream and devon cream teas to die for and I WANT TO GO BACK

Good luck

i was born in cornwall half my childhood their
then the rest in devon
i now live in london have done for 11 years i hate it
im currently waiting to go back to devon to live should be complete by early august !! devon and cornwall are lovely places

Another one criticising Tavi weather. It is one of the wettest areas of Britain (there's a hydroelectic station because the river never dries up) and you just wouldn't believe the DAMP. Moss, mould, green walls, rotting leaves, kids not allowed out in the garden without wellies until the afternoon, even in summer. Dartmoor can be grim.
My parents lived in MT (highly desirable village for retirees near Tavistock) for thirty years and loved the village life. They had good prompt treatment for health and Dad's dementia, but two years of widowhood without a car, meaning virtual isolation, were enough for DM. She sold her house for the asking price in three days to another retired couple ready to live the "dream"...

We moved here from San Diego California. We are quaffing that divine elixir from the sky they call "rain" hereabouts!! ;) The environment is so green & healthy and walking is the norm... but bicycles are everywhere as well. While I agree with the mum who spoke of Totnes as her only choice, we are in Tavistock and in process of supporting Tavistock's awakening to all things organic, free range, green, alternative, non-plastic, et al. We lived through California's awakening to protecting the environment and Devon/Cornwall are/have been well taken care of. This is a crux time to share/teach the value of the natural wealth, abundance, and beauty here and to support the old ways.
Everyday we are grateful to have a safe green place to live after surviving California's drought/wildfires. Most of the businesses and restaurants in Tavistock are still locally oriented. Both Cornwall and Devon have a secret stash of live music, especially songwriters and traditional as well as blues and excellent vocalists. There is much more I could say about what it is like to live here. IF you decide to make the move, give us a shout.

Have you seen or bought the "Wild Guide" to Devon, Cornwall ? it is AWESOME - full of fun things to do and where off the Tourist tracks :) an investment (price easily re coped with the fun and lack of crowds at your first two outings)

If you like walking ; canoeing ; swimming in crystal clear waters (sea or rivers/streams) ; cycling ; peacefully without thousands on a popular beach ? its for you

Hello Ladaienai :) we are just making THE move to north Devon (between Exmoor and Dartmoor) and close to the Cornish border :) - I need to be near the Plough (Arts & Crafts) at Torrington and the Burton at Bideford BUT with more sheep than humans as neighbours :)

Hi,

As this thread is quite an old one now and I'm presuming that you made your decision.

What did you do?? How has it worked out? We are thinking of leaving the inside of the M25 hell and moving to the country to start a new life for our girls and us.

I would love to hear how you have got on.

Ali