Moving to Devon!

Couple of examples of shortages and problems.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-devon-56419026

www.devonlive.com/news/devon-news/gp-shortage-leaves-devon-patients-6046461

GP appointments aren't always easy to get in Devon. Hospitals are also under a lot of pressure particularly in the summer when the population increases but the hospital beds stay the same.

Last time I was in the local hospital the beds either side of me were occupied by people who had been taken ill on holiday. Policing is also funded on the basis of population with no regard to how inadequate that is in high season.

Being close to the beach is lovely but the rest of it doesn't make up for it for me.

I do absolutely love Devon and am envious of you who already live there.
I don't any more, JillyJosie, more's the pity; although it is lovely where we live it isn't near the sea and I really miss the coast.

Thanks Calistemon. It's so one step forward and one back. Actually we've just had a hiccup on our purchase, perhaps the universe is taking a hand.
I do absolutely love Devon and am envious of you who already live there. Dartmoor is a delight and the beaches are wonderful and in general, I've always found people very warm.

It used to be quiet here in Gloucestershire but is now inundated and very busy.

Unfortunately it seems to be he same everywhere unless you're in the depths of the country, in which case it might be difficult to make new friends and you would be further from essential services as you get older (always a consideration).

What an interesting lot of replies. I am worried about moving in these changing times especially the effects of the pandemic. We're originally from London, lived in Oxfordshire bringing up our children and then we moved to downsize. It used to be quiet here in Gloucestershire but is now inundated and very busy. It takes weeks to get a GP appointment. I do know quite a few people in South Devon through an activity I've done for many years but I must admit that my biggest worry is being several hours from nearest family. I have also found it difficult to make new friends, acquaintances are fine but it's that extra step that's difficult. As we get older, (we're late 60s) I think we have less ability to take on new people and that can work both ways.

Wherever you move to there will be drugs & bad behaviour somewhere not too far away. It’s endemic throughout the world so hopefully your new house is in an area not troubled by such matters. Check the Police websites for postcode statistics. Ask the Estate Agent for advice.
The Royal Devon & Exeter hospital is outstanding & well run as is I believe Torbay hospital. Certainly bad press is very rare.
Rural public transport can be an issue but I believe Newton Abbot is reasonably well served for transport to Exeter & Plymouth & local environs.
You’ll take chances wherever you move to so don’t overthink it & look fwd to the positive advantages of your move.

A drugs gang targeting Plymouth and Exeter a couple of years ago have been jailed, too.

If anyone wants a shining example of how a community comes together, they need only look back to the recent atrocious shootings in the city of Plymouth.

As for drugs etc. - steer clear of Plymouth - it is a den of drug dealing and of gang violence. Sadly I have reason to be aware of this. It is a truly grim place.

Oh really?

Worse than other cities around the UK?
I'll warn my relatives and friends to stay in with their doors locked then.

Actually, JillyJosie, Plymouth has just come out as the safest city in England and Wales out of 25 cities in a survey.

Like everywhere, it has its more deprived areas and crime and drug problems but I'm sure you probably won't want to move to a large city anyway.

I come from a very long line of North Devonshire people on both sides of my family. I love it and would never live anywhere else, however it is home and I always think that 'home' wherever it may be is where we always yearn for as we get older. Devon isn't the place is used to be it as it has more people from 'up country' than locals. We see a lot of couples coming here to retire, one of them will pass on and so the one who is left becomes very lonely with no friends or family around. One other word of warning don't join every club and start changing things. Devon people are quiet serious very private people and don't like loud people who come from away. Be polite, take your time and you'll be welcomed but never think you will become a local as that takes several generations!

We lived in N.Devon for over 20 years but I wanted to return to N.ireland where I grew up. I did like Devon but found that nearly all our friends were ' blow ins' like ourselves. You need to be there for a couple of generations in order to be a local. I regret moving when we did as house prices rocketed after our move.

If you type in police.co.uk, it will tell you the crime stats for everywhere in our country. Even which roads have burglaries, car crime and all crimes you are interested in, by area. I like Newton Abbott, but most places have some crime now, even very petty crimes

By the way, unless you are thinking of going clubbing in Plymouth, I have never had a problem in 45 years , although I much prefer Exeter as a city

So many people from South Devon ! We should have a meet up!!

Devon is beautiful - I used to live there. But is is problematical with traffic in the summer season.

I also hate the way that the main dual carriageway splits the county in two. I know my parents had to join the dual carriageway, travel to the next junction and come off there and turn back on themselves just in order to do their shopping. When I was a child I went there every year because my grandma lived there and the traffic was very quiet then.

As for drugs etc. - steer clear of Plymouth - it is a den of drug dealing and of gang violence. Sadly I have reason to be aware of this. It is a truly grim place.

I live in Devon, we sometimes go to Newton Abbot to do some shopping. I wish we'd never moved here. I find people very unfriendly but it is a very white area and my husband isn't so it might be that.

Goodness- don’t make your judgment on (local) news - when have you ever read positive news!!!

I live in Devon and have done for 50 years. I live 30 minutes from Sidmouth in a lovely market town and my only other choice would be Sidmouth. It is beautiful here. I would not choose Newton Abbot, but prefer Torquay or Teignmouth and around there. Newton Abbot is a bottle neck even with the bypass in place and has grown so very much in the last few years. Good commuting though from there. You will love Devon wherever you choose. Wish you luck with finding somewhere perfect for you.

It's no coincidence that Devon and heaven rhyme! As we all know the NHS is under great pressure everywhere so pretty much par for the course down here. I can't fault the police force, but then my nephew is a local policeman so I would say that, wouldn't I! I moved to Devon with my family 50 years ago and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else in the world. Life is a bit of a lottery but the vast majority of us incomers love it here and it's very unlikely that you would not be made to feel welcome. Good luck!

Depends exactly where. And what you 'must' have or not (we all have those - one of mine is 'leaded lights' - no offence but not for me). Why Devon - have you looked at East Sussex? Weather is much better.

I live in Newton Abbot, have done for most of my life, as with all places there are good & bad, covid has had an impact on the town centre & doctors surgeries, I'm with Albany surgery which seems better than other doctors. I love the fact on one side you have Dartmoor, the other side Teignmouth, Torquay, something for everyone. I have always found people to be friendly & helpful (always going to get the odd miserable devil ). I wish you all the best in your house hunting.

We lived in Devon for many years and found it a very wet County. It is also very busy in the summer with tourists but I’m sure the benefits will outweigh any negatives. Loads of people are moving to the South West since Covid has allowed working from home which in turn has pushed up the house prices. Good luck.

I live in a great village a couple of miles from Newton Abbot. Always been able to get a doctor’s appointment same day (face to face, or by phone). Excellent hospitals in Newton Abbot, Dawlish, Torquay and Exeter. Mainline trains go through Newton Abbot. Great beaches and lovely Dartmoor on your doorstep. Plus Devon cream teas!!

We lived there for years. I'd move back again, but, like Albangirl, we are near our own family where we are although we have a lot of family and friends in Devon too.

I don't think you'd be treated as a "furriner" so much now although I was when I moved down for a job aged 21! It helped to marry a local.

I'd just avoid anywhere too touristy, JillyJosie.