Planning a move to Devon, England and need advice...

[Stewy26]

I am a British citizen currently living in Australia with my partner and child. We are currently planning on returning to the UK next year and are planning on moving to Devon. We are looking for recommendations of the best places to live. We are hoping to find a nice, friendly and safe small village that is also close to a larger town. But most of all we want to live somewhere that has a really good school for our son to attend. Any advice or recommendations to get us started would be very appreciated.

[237SJ]

The first thing to decide is whether to go to south or north Devon. They`re very different. North Devon has more dramatic countryside/coast and the weather is a bit wilder as it`s Atlantic weather. There is not a lot of work there either but it`s OK if you do some sort of work from home. If you want to be near a larger town then South Devon might be more suitable because you have Exeter and Plymouth. The biggest town in the north is Barnstaple. South Devon has better transport links with the rest of the country.

[RATTER15]

I have lived in North and South Devon, currently in North Devon. Either North or South is a great place to live, like 237SJ South Devon is a little faster way of life with the larger towns and North Devon is more countrified, rural and agricultural. I have lived in Devon all my life, it is a stunning county especially to bring up children in safety. Let me know if I can be of any assistance.

[237SJ]

By the way, you might want to put this in a different section so that more people see it.

[Stewy26]

Sorry, I'm a newbie, where is the best place to post it? I think the mid or southern end of Devon would be best, my partner is Aussie and I don't think Atlantic winds would take her fancy. And also the transport side of it would be better too as I will need to travel for work. Do either of you know anything about Tiverton? The school there is ranked quite highly. It is a safe and friendly community? Are there nice surrounding villages? We aren't in a rush to move as we have a home to go to elsewhere but we are trying to get a shortlist of places together so we can take some weekend trips down that way and get a better feel for it. Thank you

[RATTER15]

Tiverton isn't great to be honest, the town isnt good for anything really, however it has some great little villages surrounding it and you are just 15 minutes drive from the Motorway and the City of Exeter is 45 minutes drive and Exmoor is also just a few miles away.

If you are really looking for a nice town in South to bring up a child, my home town of Dawlish is delightful and safer than most these days, it does get busy during the summer as it is a seaside resort, you have four large shopping towns within 1 hour drive, the M5 Motorway is 20 minutes away, it is on the main London to South West train line. Google Dawlish and see all of its delights.

[mccfluffy]

My mum lives in silverton, little village not far from tiverton or exeter, i love it but its a little on the quiet side. You would need transport for def.

[RATTER15]

MccFluffy, I know Silverton, I have frequented the Three Tuns there on more than one occasion :-) a little bit out on a limb but a nice village.

[whiskeryron]

I think you should post on Chatter bank where a lot of folks congregate.

Ron.