Anyone live in or near Kingsbridge / Totnes?

[SmiledWithTheRisingSun]

Looking at the idea of moving to this area. Would love some local perspective...

Info& opinions on primaries, secondaries, and hospitals would all be very useful please....

Anyone.....,

Hi OP, I live the other side of Plymouth (East Cornwall) but used to work in Kingsbridge quite frequently at the hospital.

I can’t tell you about schools but I can say that the hospital is a v small community hospital with a minor injuries unit and some wards for elderly dementia patients and not much else.

Your nearest acute hospital is Derriford, Plymouth which is a 45 minute drive from Kingsbridge. It’s a major trauma centre, reasonable for emergency care, usual NHS difficulties with pretty much everything, often on red/black alert (or OPEL 3/4 as it’s called now) but known for caring nursing teams.

Do you need access to a particular medical specialism?

Thanks so much for your reply
Orange
Was actually just wondering about the practicalities of moving elderly parents down that way with me. Heart problems & a type of Parkinson's being the current issues.

Kids in both junior & secondary schools so hence the interest there,

Love Totnes but don't know so much about Kingsbridge, Salcombe so wondering how they compare really....as places to live?

If I was choosing, I’d go for Kingsbridge or Totnes.

Totnes of course has the advantage of being on the train line but Kingsbridge is closer to the beautiful coast.

There is a good network of charities that support older people in the Kingsbridge area. I don’t know about Totnes.

I personally would avoid Salcombe as it is the most expensive of the three, large number of pricey second homes and the tourist side is much more of a heavy influence on the town than Totnes or Kingsbridge.

Lovely places to be choosing from though!

Thanks orange

thought Salcombe would be quite touristy!
Are there any other places I should check out as potentials that you know of?

May be worth having a look at Ivybridge and its surrounding villages. There is an excellent secondary school there.

Very different feel than Kingsbridge and Totnes. It’s the edge of Dartmoor, if that’s your thing.

Good luck with your search. And spend as much time in the area as you can, in all seasons, before making a commitment to move!

Thanks so much will check Ivybridge it out too

Ashburton and Buckfastleigh are also lovely small towns. Ashburton has a secondary school but I don't know much about it. Ashburton is a bit touristy but no more than totnes is. Buckfastleigh is a lovely quiet little town. Both are on the a38 so have easy access to the m5 and Exeter or south toward Plymouth and Cornwall. They are on the edge of Dartmoor so minutes from beautiful walking country.

Unfortunately there really isn't any more room in Devon or Cornwall for any more incomers.
Please leave the homes for the locals, how about somewhere inland as the west county is full and it's unlikely you'll get the welcome you're looking for.

That's rubbish Cornish! Devon and Cornwall are nowhere near full. Half the little towns are almost dead out of season. Granted things get a little busy in the peak of summer but not so much newcomers would be unwelcome. Stop being so unfriendly!

I second Ivybridge - if you want more villagey look at Yealmpton, Modbury, Ermington and Ugborough too.

We’re on holiday round there at the moment. Obv can’t answer any of the stuff about living here but:

Have visited both Totnes (loved it) & Salcombe (really didn’t, plus it’s a bastard to get in & out of) & driven through Kingsbridge, which looks like a very nice town but is a long way from main roads.

Devon lanes are a nightmare - I saw a travel review recently which said something like “never trust satnav directions in Devon” & it’s true, it sends you off down impossible lanes at the drop of a hat! Yesterday we arrived on a one-lane “tidal road” where the tide had only just gone out You’ll need to be very good at reversing!

So of those 3 I’d say Totnes purely for the ease of getting around, especially in wet weather & tourist season - ie about half the year altogether...

(NB we do love it down here!)