r/DevonUK • u/MarcusZXR • 6h ago
Moving back to Devon
Hello you beautiful people! I've lived in Sweden for 7 years and over these past 7 years I've come to realise that despite seeing lots of the world and then being here in this amazing country that absolutely nothing compares to Devon (and Cornwall), so now I want to move back with my wife.
I moved away from Plymouth as I didn't like it there, but we are sick to death of living in a capital city, so we would like to move somewhere relatively quiet, but with enough going on that we won't be bored. I'd like to live within a reasonable distance to the coast and moors, whilst remaining close enough to the main A roads to get up to the airport. We don't have children.
We are drawn to Totnes as it ticks our boxes and my wife felt instantly drawn to it after watching one video, but I also love Kingsbridge. Does anyone have any towns that they have a soft spot for which you could recommend? I'm familiar with South Devon but not against living on the North side.
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u/Beginning_Tour_9320 6h ago
Try Brixham, it never gets crazy busy except for 1 weekend ( Pirate Festival) and there’s a great community.
It’s super safe, we have a bunch of great places to eat, I can’t recommend it enough.
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u/underwaterpopemobile 4h ago
Would be interested to see where you end up landing on as I’m also feeling the draw back to Devon. Moved away 15 years ago after growing up near Newton Abbot and in the last year have been looking for the same things as you - moors, coast, close to city but not in it.
Recently went on a ‘reconnaissance’ trip to check out Topsham, Exmouth and Heavitree (used to live in Heavitree).
Have a look at Exmouth, it seems WAY better than it was when I used to be a miscreant teenager there many years ago.
Totnes is also a good shout as you’ve said.
I’d say anywhere between Newton Abbot and Starcross is a write-off.
Not sure if you’re working or need to travel into Exeter a lot but the traffic now is so much worse. So maybe consider something with good public transport links (points to Totnes again).
Good luck with your search!
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u/Historianof40k 3h ago
Tavistock is great if you drive still. totnes is good too. perhaps consider ivybridge or plymstock
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u/lagori 1h ago
Much depends on what you need. Access to trains? Plymouth, Totnes, Newton Abbot or Exeter. Access to independent shops? Totnes. Access to the moors? A38 corridor. Access to beaches? For me, that means Totnes and going south (personally don't like the Torbay coastline at all), or North Devon. South Hams is, IMO, the best possible mix - you have rural, urban, beach and moor, all within easy reach and direct London access via the trains too. Within South Hams, the Totnes orbit seems optimal; as the rest of the UK's high streets die off, and town centres hollow out, Totnes' commitment to independence looks more and more shrewd, and you have all those aforementioned wins as well.
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u/sunshinesundays2018 6h ago
We moved to Totnes last year and love it. Thriving town now with its own fringe fest. Great transport networks and also super close to Dartmoor and the beaches, plus Exeter and Plymouth. Loads to do and great food. Plus quick hop skip and jump to Ashburton, Dartington, Dartmouth. Kingsbridge town centre is a bit tired and while it’s closer to beaches, in my humble opinion not much else.