Ottery St Mary schools/commute/community

[TMarieClara]

Hi all. We have just accepted an offer on our Surrey house and this weekend we hope to find a new home in Ottery St Mary or the surrounding villages, although there's little on the market. I wondered if anyone living in the area can offer any advice on the following:

• Any preference on West Hill or Ottery as a primary school? My daughter will start next September. Our long-term plan is to move out towards Aylesbeare, so West Hill will then be closer, but I love the idea of walking to school in Ottery as well while we're there.
• Is the town nice? When we visited, it seemed a touch dated, although I know some new restaurants and pubs are popping up. Is it easy to meet people and other young families?
• Is it insane to think I'll be able to commute to London? Only once a week mind. I figured I'd drive to Exeter then get the 2.15hr train to Paddington, so about 3 hours each way. My current commute is around 75 mins and I do it twice a week.

Nervous but excited about being closer to family and closer to the sea! Any tips from others in the area much appreciated!

TIA

I can't advise about schools as I am on the other side of the estuary. DH was working in London when we moved here in 2010. He came home at weekends. It was not sustainable. Whether he took the car or the train there was always some issue. He gave up his London job after 6 months to work down here and was much happier afterwards. Sorry if that is not what you wanted to hear. His job was in North London.
On the plus side, it's a great area, especially with a family. We moved house in September within the area and the housing market is bonkers at the moment, unless it has slowed down very recently. Properties sell very quickly and usually over asking price.

You might want to join a facebook group called 'Mums in Exeter' which is great for asking questions and finding out what is going on in the area.

Will you stay overnight in London? If not, I think you are too rural to do that for a day each week. Also, if working from home, the internet can be very slow in some areas.

Kings is a fantastic Secondary school. West Hill primary has an excellent reputation.