Moving to the South West

[vournikas]

Possibly, at the moment.

An opportunity has popped up with a large company, which would involve a move from Telford to the South West. Specifically, the office where I'd be based in is Exeter of which neither my wife nor I know nothing. FWIW, I have had quite a few short breaks in the area but only in the more obvious touristy type places.

Without having to fork out for a massive mortgage (I suppose we'd look to get a house for about £150 - 170k thereabouts), where would be the more agreeable places to look at within - say - 25 miles of Exeter city centre? I'm choosing 25 miles as that's my current commute from Telford to the other side of Wolverhampton. Anywhere I should avoid?

I'm assuming traffic levels getting into Exeter are much like any other small town / city i.e. busy but manageable?

Any and all advice appreciated!

[Midlifecrisis71]

Exeter traffic is quite bad, its bad enough that it put me off living too close, as i dont work there and the traffic was too much of a pain.

25 miles around this area will take you longer than 25 miles around telford/birmingham

I dont know what your expecting for 150-170k, so can only suggest you search rightmove and post up suggested locations that you fancy and we can comment.

I can tell you to live in Topsham, but for 170k you would struggle to get more than a garden shed.

that said, there are some lovely places around Exeter, look towards Teignmouth (not Dawlish), look at Newton Abbot, up towards Collumpton, Honiton maybe.

[M3Gar]

Traffic can be quite bad in the City centre at peak times, but then where isn't it.
All the major routes leading to Exeter cope perfectly well( A30 A38 A303 and M5)
I drive round Exeter everyday from around 11am to around 2pm ish and never have any real problems. The worst of it is trying to get down to Marsh Barton over the River Exe bridge.
As far as housing goes we bought about 5 years back and got a 4 bed semi with parking for 3 vehicles, 4 at a push and 5 if you don't mind getting them out 1 at a time for £174K in St Thomas.
Somewhere like Chudleigh may suit you, small town about 15 minutes away from Exeter, or other similar small towns on the A38/A30 of which there are plenty to choose from.
Avoid Torbay, horrible traffic and not the nicest of places, IMHO, also full of grocks in the summer.

[minghis]

I'd be looking at Honiton or maybe Ottery St Mary as they have good access to the A30 which goes straight into Exeter. Also good links to the A303 the other way.

[VTECMatt]

Moved down here two years ago, is slightly backwards but Exeter is great. I work next to the Cathedral in Exeter, commute in from outskirts of Newton Abbot 18 miles away. I use the Green Park and Ride £35 for unlimited trips for 4 weeks drops me 2 minutes from the Cathedral.

Parking and driving into the city is a pita I only ever do it if I know I will miss the last bus.

There are a number of commuter towns if you prefer the train.

200k would get a 3 bed in Newton Abbot, depends on how fussy you are in terms of location.

[egor110]

How about wellington in somerset?

Your right next to junction 26 of the m5 so not far to get down to Exeter.

[DevonPaul]

egor110 said:

How about wellington in somerset?

Your right next to junction 26 of the m5 so not far to get down to Exeter.

We have friends there, it might not be far, but it is probably an hour in rush hour traffic rather than 40-45 mins evening or weekend.

Bear in mind that once a month the M5 will be locked in one direction or another, doubling your journey time, and in summer there can be a lot of holiday traffic.

If coming down from the North, probably better somewhere like Taunton with a railway link.

[vournikas]

Thanks for all the advice so far.

Newton Abbott is looking the most favourable so far in terms of agreeable places to live, with homes in our price bracket and style. Without kids, we're only looking for "character" places with no more than two beds.

Are areas around Tiverton worth a look?

[Allaloneatron]

vournikas said:

Thanks for all the advice so far.

Newton Abbott is looking the most favourable so far in terms of agreeable places to live, with homes in our price bracket and style. Without kids, we're only looking for "character" places with no more than two beds.

Are areas around Tiverton worth a look?

It depends if your wife is your Sister. The old ones are the best.

Being honest, I would avoid Tiverton. I worked their and in the town at lunch time, the proportion of odd people was really very high. The villages around it are all very nice but it will be pricey.

I live in Seaton which is just about 45 mins to get into the City centre if you leave early enough (getting there for 8am or earlier) but 170k might have just gone out of the window. Prices have jumped in the last 12 months. I was lucky. It's a great place to live, if not very postcard like from some angles.

How about Ottery St Mary?

[egor110]

Is it a 2 bed house you want or flat or just anything interesting?

Do you want a garage,garden?

Paignton's offering up a few bunglows for 180k, one detached the other semi.

Or i think this ticks the character property box http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/prope...

http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/prope...

Edited by egor110 on Tuesday 24th February 17:10

[LordHaveMurci]

Exmouth perhaps? http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/find....

Access isn't the easiest at rush hour but there is a good rail link & cycling is very easy into Exeter.

Honiton as suggested, not sure I'd recommend Ottery St Mary unless it's changed, a lot!