Moving to Dorset?

[Daddyjammy]

Covid has caused us to re-evaluate our life and with the possibility of more flexible working, we're wondering if a move to Devon might help our family life with a calmer and more outdoors lifestyle. We live by the sea at present so would find it hard to move too far away and schools are very important. We've been thinking about Sidmouth and Kingsbridge but would our kids (Y7 and Y9) get into the good schools? Would it seem too cut off from larger towns - my work is in London if ever I go back there and I would have to stay away from home 2/3 days a week? Is there enough to do? Would we feel overrun by tourists in the summer?
Any advice would be much appreciated.

I wouldn't move somewhere like that with that age kids … great when they're tiny, not much to do in their teens if they're used to London or nearby. I'd wait until they are at uni/moved out

@BigSandyBalls2015

I wouldn't move somewhere like that with that age kids … great when they're tiny, not much to do in their teens if they're used to London or nearby. I'd wait until they are at uni/moved out

Thanks BSB. Just to clarify - we're not that near London. On the Sussex coast - and I don't think they're going to be the clubbing types when they grow up. The idea is to keep encouraging their sporting interests and outdoor living, rather than being hunched around screens.

Tourists: yes, you will feel overrun by them (and will learn to call them Grockles, like all good Westcountry natives)

Good schools: no idea

Being cut off from larger towns: yes, make plans for buying your kids cars as soon as they're legally able to drive otherwise they'll feel very cut off as public transport is so limited.

Kids having things to do: there isn't a lot to do besides sports clubs (recommended) or if you were nearer Exeter there's more to do in Exeter. I had horses as a teen in rural Devon and never ran out of things to do :)

Have you thought about Exmouth? On the coast, but much nearer to Exeter than the others, better public transport, easy access to trains to London etc.