Looking At The South Ham's In Devon

[hairy]

Hi there,

We're selling up in Surrey and looking to the South Hams. Wif eloves Salcombe, but massively overpriced, for me. So looking from Dartmouth all around to Thurlestone.

What is about and what are property prices like or what have they been like?

cheers

[nest]

Hi there,

We're selling up in Surrey and looking to the South Hams. Wif eloves Salcombe, but massively overpriced, for me. So looking from Dartmouth all around to Thurlestone.

What is about and what are property prices like or what have they been like?

cheers

Totally agree Salcombe is so expensive we were shocked at the prices. We have decided to move from Essex to Dartmoor but not yet, keeping an eye on prices down there. We hope to retire in a few years. Out of interest what were your motives to move from Surrey to Devon after all Surrey is a nice County. We are looking for a quieter pace of life and have noticed villages etc seem well cared for and people are friendly I do hope its the same when you live there, still you dont know unless you try I suppose. Exeter was busier than I imagined having not visited for many years which is fine when you want to have a shop etc. Do you think more 2nd homes will hit the market this winter? Have you seen an increase in holiday cottages/barns etc or no change since you started looking.

[hairy]

Totally agree Salcombe is so expensive we were shocked at the prices. We have decided to move from Essex to Dartmoor but not yet, keeping an eye on prices down there. We hope to retire in a few years. Out of interest what were your motives to move from Surrey to Devon after all Surrey is a nice County. We are looking for a quieter pace of life and have noticed villages etc seem well cared for and people are friendly I do hope its the same when you live there, still you dont know unless you try I suppose. Exeter was busier than I imagined having not visited for many years which is fine when you want to have a shop etc. Do you think more 2nd homes will hit the market this winter? Have you seen an increase in holiday cottages/barns etc or no change since you started looking.

Just quality of life reasons. We have 2 young daughters. Have decided to sell up our 'portfolio' and move so we can relax a bit more and not stress too much,mspend more time with the girls. still keeping a small property up here for work purposes when I need ot be in london.I have een seing prices come down a lot in certain areas, but not in the high ticket areas in the Hams. I have seen alot of properties come onto the market with an opportunity for a second income, so I'd have ot say yes to your final question.

We just rented a house down in Thurlestone for 10 days and it's still magic. Some villages are really summer homes and are desperately quiet in winter; I'd quite like that though.

Good luck to you.

[nest]

Just quality of life reasons. We have 2 young daughters. Have decided to sell up our 'portfolio' and move so we can relax a bit more and not stress too much,mspend more time with the girls. still keeping a small property up here for work purposes when I need ot be in london.I have een seing prices come down a lot in certain areas, but not in the high ticket areas in the Hams. I have seen alot of properties come onto the market with an opportunity for a second income, so I'd have ot say yes to your final question.

We just rented a house down in Thurlestone for 10 days and it's still magic. Some villages are really summer homes and are desperately quiet in winter; I'd quite like that though.

Good luck to you.

Thanks , however having just arrived home from Dartmoor again I must confess doubt is creeping in. Very very quiet out of season and many villages seemed depressed somehow. We like to eat out and found we were the only ones in the local rests etc. Essex has many negatives but somehow always a buzz in the resturants even when times are hard. We walked the moors and that was nice. Came home today feeling slightly flat as we were so sure we would retire there but to be honest I somehow now feel it may not be the right move. We visited Oakhampton, Tavistock and local chav types all drunk on town bench at 10am I was so dissapointed . We may be chasing a dream !.. My wife said we may end up old and bored before out time. I suppose in Essex similar to Surrey we have so much choice with towns, villages offering all you could want you can drive in any direction and find choice choice choice in so many things. In Devon you are so dependant on your nearby areas and they choice they offer you. We feel we have taken for granted many many things Essex offers us and scenery in Devon is stunning but there is more to life than scenery.

I think its good your keeping a place up here and spending some time in London will no doubt give you a nice contrast.

I hope you manage to hold onto the majic and all I would say is spend as much time down there in winter before you commit , quiet is nice but we felt as we drove back to Essex that its home, warts and all. Your younger than us and no doubt have time to build a life down there around your family I wish you well.

[A_Landlord]

Thanks , however having just arrived home from Dartmoor again I must confess doubt is creeping in. Very very quiet out of season and many villages seemed depressed somehow. We like to eat out and found we were the only ones in the local rests etc. Essex has many negatives but somehow always a buzz in the resturants even when times are hard. We walked the moors and that was nice. Came home today feeling slightly flat as we were so sure we would retire there but to be honest I somehow now feel it may not be the right move. We visited Oakhampton, Tavistock and local chav types all drunk on town bench at 10am I was so dissapointed . We may be chasing a dream !.. My wife said we may end up old and bored before out time. I suppose in Essex similar to Surrey we have so much choice with towns, villages offering all you could want you can drive in any direction and find choice choice choice in so many things. In Devon you are so dependant on your nearby areas and they choice they offer you. We feel we have taken for granted many many things Essex offers us and scenery in Devon is stunning but there is more to life than scenery.

I think its good your keeping a place up here and spending some time in London will no doubt give you a nice contrast.

I hope you manage to hold onto the majic and all I would say is spend as much time down there in winter before you commit , quiet is nice but we felt as we drove back to Essex that its home, warts and all. Your younger than us and no doubt have time to build a life down there around your family I wish you well.

Have you thought about Kingsbridge, Totnes or even up towards Ivybridge?. I was thinking along the same lines of moving to the coast, but now thinking I would like to end up closer to towns that have a bit of life through the year and not just the summer. Plus being closer to the A38 has advantages.

[hairy]

Thanks for that, very nice thing to say.

We decided to move as the kids are young (3 and 6) so they can enjoy the country lifestyle while young. We've decided on keeping a 2 bed bungalow so that in later years we can come back if we need to and not faff around looking for ages, as well sas save potentially £500 a week on Hotels.

I think you're right about the restaurants, it is quiet. I had a very anxious moment back in July. I rode from Lands End to Brighton and passed through some towns that I was very interested in moving to. Suddenly it made me massively depressed about the life I'd be pushing on teh kids by movign there. Here, we go ice skating, cinema, restaurants, swimming, museums up town, you know what i mean. One of our chosen towns, Colyton/Colyford, has one of the best schools in the country so we targeted it. But on staying the night there, it was mortifyingly dull and quiet. I had to go to Seaton to eat and, remembering this was a Friday night in July, peak holiday time, the town was empty save for some chavs lighting up the car parks; 18/19 yo oiks with 13 year old girlfriends and it scared me what i was about to do. Luckily, I had another trip to a wedding in the Hams in August and a subsequent 10 days looking around the whole area cheered me up no end as it is better quality of life, and a nice place to live. I'd still recommend it, and I will retire in the area I think, I just like it so much down there.

We are looking at Kingsbridge now, possibly slightly more West so I can fly from Plymouth into London City when I need to. I think it's a positive move and Plymouth has come on leaps and bounds since the 80's when I was a student there, scared to go out at the weekend in case I was student bashed by the local sea faring military enlightened souls. The kids will have plenty to do and we'd be 20 mins form Totness, Ivybridge, the moors, Plymouth and the resulting trais and planes back Eastto the smoke.

As for drunks wandering the towns drinking at 10am, have you seen Redhill? You have to run the barrage of smoking drunks from 9am onwards just to go to Sainsburys/Boots anywhere else. I genuinely think you'll see people all over the country who think this is socially acceptable. The sooner we have rules outlawing that type of behaviour the better in my opinion. But it happens all over, from Warrington, to Redhill, Melksham to Consett. That's life i guess.

Cheers and good luck

[hev]

Thanks for that, very nice thing to say.

We decided to move as the kids are young (3 and 6) so they can enjoy the country lifestyle while young. We've decided on keeping a 2 bed bungalow so that in later years we can come back if we need to and not faff around looking for ages, as well sas save potentially £500 a week on Hotels.

I think you're right about the restaurants, it is quiet. I had a very anxious moment back in July. I rode from Lands End to Brighton and passed through some towns that I was very interested in moving to. Suddenly it made me massively depressed about the life I'd be pushing on teh kids by movign there. Here, we go ice skating, cinema, restaurants, swimming, museums up town, you know what i mean. One of our chosen towns, Colyton/Colyford, has one of the best schools in the country so we targeted it. But on staying the night there, it was mortifyingly dull and quiet. I had to go to Seaton to eat and, remembering this was a Friday night in July, peak holiday time, the town was empty save for some chavs lighting up the car parks; 18/19 yo oiks with 13 year old girlfriends and it scared me what i was about to do. Luckily, I had another trip to a wedding in the Hams in August and a subsequent 10 days looking around the whole area cheered me up no end as it is better quality of life, and a nice place to live. I'd still recommend it, and I will retire in the area I think, I just like it so much down there.

We are looking at Kingsbridge now, possibly slightly more West so I can fly from Plymouth into London City when I need to. I think it's a positive move and Plymouth has come on leaps and bounds since the 80's when I was a student there, scared to go out at the weekend in case I was student bashed by the local sea faring military enlightened souls. The kids will have plenty to do and we'd be 20 mins form Totness, Ivybridge, the moors, Plymouth and the resulting trais and planes back Eastto the smoke.

As for drunks wandering the towns drinking at 10am, have you seen Redhill? You have to run the barrage of smoking drunks from 9am onwards just to go to Sainsburys/Boots anywhere else. I genuinely think you'll see people all over the country who think this is socially acceptable. The sooner we have rules outlawing that type of behaviour the better in my opinion. But it happens all over, from Warrington, to Redhill, Melksham to Consett. That's life i guess.

Cheers and good luck

Check out Fulfords auction site, but remember the lack of jobs as the kids grow up, dire public transport links and anyone on Dartmoor needs a 4x4 to get off the moor. Many people do chase the dream and there is no utopia although the scenery is great.

[hairy]

Check out Fulfords auction site, but remember the lack of jobs as the kids grow up, dire public transport links and anyone on Dartmoor needs a 4x4 to get off the moor. Many people do chase the dream and there is no utopia although the scenery is great.

I do have some ambition for the kids and we're both professionals, so am hoping it rubs off. I am not too sure I'd encourage them to stay in the area as adults though; I am originally from the West country, as is my wife, and we both left and have developed as people as we grew from leaving there. I'd be pushing my kids to do the same whilst they are young.

i know what you mean by livign the dream, but I have a good business I can run there or sell up, love the sea, sailing and fishing, walking, riding bikes and generally all round living. I'd be looking at changing my lifestyle quite drastically and am really looking for more time withthe kids, in a nice quieter area. We're keeping one of our houses in reigate area so we can come back with ease, or even give the girls the house when they're older. I know it's not without difficulties, and problems, and issues, but we are going opened eyed.

Thanks for the tip re the auction sites. we'llpprobably rent for a couple fo years while the dust settles and see where we go from there. We're also looking at movign to France.

[porca misèria]

Check out Fulfords auction site, but remember the lack of jobs as the kids grow up, dire public transport links and anyone on Dartmoor needs a 4x4 to get off the moor. Many people do chase the dream and there is no utopia although the scenery is great.

Nope. Some places here have excellent public transport, and they're not always where you'd expect. That is to say, some places you might think would have two buses a week turn out to have an hourly service up to 11pm!

And the people with 4x4s here are, broadly speaking, the same as have 4x4s in, say, Chelsea.

[hairy]

Nope. Some places here have excellent public transport, and they're not always where you'd expect. That is to say, some places you might think would have two buses a week turn out to have an hourly service up to 11pm!

And the people with 4x4s here are, broadly speaking, the same as have 4x4s in, say, Chelsea.

we'll be down with a 4x4 as we're buying some agri land as well so will need it.

we were down there in summer for a while and were surprised, and a little impressed, at the transport.

[dan98]

Thanks , however having just arrived home from Dartmoor again I must confess doubt is creeping in. Very very quiet out of season and many villages seemed depressed somehow. We like to eat out and found we were the only ones in the local rests etc. Essex has many negatives but somehow always a buzz in the resturants even when times are hard. We walked the moors and that was nice. Came home today feeling slightly flat as we were so sure we would retire there but to be honest I somehow now feel it may not be the right move. We visited Oakhampton, Tavistock and local chav types all drunk on town bench at 10am I was so dissapointed . We may be chasing a dream !.. My wife said we may end up old and bored before out time. I suppose in Essex similar to Surrey we have so much choice with towns, villages offering all you could want you can drive in any direction and find choice choice choice in so many things. In Devon you are so dependant on your nearby areas and they choice they offer you. We feel we have taken for granted many many things Essex offers us and scenery in Devon is stunning but there is more to life than scenery.

I think its good your keeping a place up here and spending some time in London will no doubt give you a nice contrast.

I hope you manage to hold onto the majic and all I would say is spend as much time down there in winter before you commit , quiet is nice but we felt as we drove back to Essex that its home, warts and all. Your younger than us and no doubt have time to build a life down there around your family I wish you well.

In the winter Dartmoor is bleak and, depending on your preference, either mildly depressing or beautifully serene and natural.

But hardly the place to go if youre after a buzz or choice choie choice

If you just fancy a nice walk around the moors from time to time, but need more "quality" happenings around you head in the Exeter/Exmoor direction- quite a different kettle of fish.

[dan98]

Check out Fulfords auction site, but remember the lack of jobs as the kids grow up, dire public transport links and anyone on Dartmoor needs a 4x4 to get off the moor. Many people do chase the dream and there is no utopia although the scenery is great.

no actually, you dont "need" a 4x4 unless you come from the city, or like to actually drive around in fields (ie. a farmer)

the best thing for getting on and off the moors is something small and old for squeezing through the narrow lanes jammed up with 4x4s...

[nest]

In the winter Dartmoor is bleak and, depending on your preference, either mildly depressing or beautifully serene and natural.

But hardly the place to go if youre after a buzz or choice choie choice

If you just fancy a nice walk around the moors from time to time, but need more "quality" happenings around you head in the Exeter/Exmoor direction- quite a different kettle of fish.

Yes I agree the Moors are serene in winter. I will have a closer look at the Exeter/Exmoor direction thanks for the tip. Having just witnessed a horrible mugging tonight on the way home my natural reaction is to run to a remote hamlet buried deep in the moorland and retire in peace. I recently found Haytor where Ann Widdecombe has bought a home, very nice close to Bovey Tracey Town for shops etc. Belstone was so dramatic and I will explore a little more. I wonder how Hairy is getting on with his research, look forward to hearing from him.

[Topher Bear]

An old thread, but its a quiet forum. I just wanted to say, my parents moved from essex to devon when I was 6, to south brent. I grew up there and lived there till I went to uni. From a childs point of view, I loved it, loads of places for adventures, streams, woods, quiet lanes, local butcher, baker and candlestick maker! My childhood memories are of bike rides, tree climbing and walls in the country, I did my duke of edinburgh award walls on the moors. I went to school in plymouth, but I didn't need bowling, cinema night clubs and the like! Fantastic. I just wish I could give my kids the same, but no jobs down there and villages here far too expensive! No you don't need a 4x4 on the moor unless your a farmer, even when I helped the ranger he only had an escort van!

If you want buzz don't go and steal another house, if you are happy with a slower, older pace of life, your kids'll love you for it!

Parents now in exmouth, it is different than south hams.

Oh yes, if you want to be considered devonian, then live there for 20 years!

[porca misèria]

An old thread, but its a quiet forum. I just wanted to say, my parents moved from essex to devon when I was 6, to south brent. I grew up there and lived there till I went to uni. From a childs point of view, I loved it, loads of places for adventures, streams, woods, quiet lanes, local butcher, baker and candlestick maker!

That's what I'd expect.

But didn't it get boring being so isolated once you were a teenager?

[bricor mortis]

Bear in mind Sherford new town is yet to be built on the South Hams on the edge of Plymouth, between Ivybridge and Plymton.

I would recommend Tavistock, Ivybridge, or Manamead / Seymour rd / Peverell, Hartley areas of Plymouth, depending on what you like. If your budget is limited maybe Lipson / St Judes area in Plymouth.

Bear in mind flights are available to Leeds Liverpool Newcastle London City East Anglia from £30.00

Edited August 26, 2010 by bricor mortis