Carolyn7

Hi all,

Does anyone have any knowledge or experience of Totnes or surrounding area? I'm thinking of moving back after many years in Germany (more than 30 years total away from the UK). I like the Devon area, and Totnes has caught my interest but I don't know too much about it. Hope to make a visit there soon. I'm not sure what I'll do for work (I've been a university administrator most of the time - not an easy field to get into in the UK at my age), so that's also a consideration. Any information or thoughts appreciated.

Carolyn

Carolyn7

So no one at all knows this town/area??

campervanfan

I hesitated to express an opinion on this because I don't live there- I do have a rellie who lives on the coast though so I have visited a few times.......Torquay/Paignton/etc....from that point of view it's a lovely place - obviously a bit touristy so plenty to see & do... haven't a clue what it's like in terms of work & education though which is probably what you need to know more of? And it rains a lot!!!

christmasoompa

As above, I have holidayed near there for the past 30 odd years (Salcombe area) and love it, but have never lived there so really don't feel that qualified to offer an opinion.

Don't forget that it's a public holiday today in the UK (and on Monday, a 4 day weekend) so many people are away and may just not have seen this thread yet.

BristolUK

I think that should read away from work, since most posts appear to be made during work hours.

campervanfan

cheeky!!!

christmasoompa

Very true! Obviously I'd never do that. Ahem.

<wanders off and hopes the boss, who is also a BE member, doesn't see this thread................>

robin1234

Yeah I do most of my posting at work I'm too busy at home to surf the web etc.

Anyway Totnes is a very nice town to visit.. But houses and flats seem to be scarce and appreciably more expensive than in Exeter, Newton Abbot, Torbay, or anywhere else nearby. We know the area from having lived in south Devon years ago, and in West Somerset. We want to buy a place, probably Exeter or environs, with a view to moving there in retirement and seriously considered Totnes.. But realistically I'd rather visit Totnes a couple of terms a year rather than live there.

Carolyn7

Thanks for the responses everyone! Very helpful.

Unfortunately I only have time for websurfing when NOT at work

J.JsOH

A friend of mine lives n Ivybridge, recently said that, places like Ivybridge still have reasonably priced houses <£200k for 3-bed detached and Salcombe has become a high priced property area for weekend / retired people from out of county. My friends daughter, a teacher could no longer afford to rent near her work in Salcombe

robin1234

Yes, Salcombe has been on another planet pricewise for years.. I think because it is a yachting centre for the international jet set etc. I myself would avoid anywhere in the South Hams to live, roads are so slow and it is so far from everywhere. Totnes has the merit of being in the centre of things, accessible by road and rail.

Moving beyond South Devon, there are several places with very reasonably priced property and good amenities. Tiverton is one example, a pleasant enough town but the factories all shut down so it has excess housing.

tonysallis1

Totnes is nice, but I prefer Torquay, as it has Paignton and Brixham nearby, (3 for 1), I live next county along (Dorset) and pop along that way for day trips etc.

abi31

Totnes is lovely for a visit - but v v touristy and small - so no way to get away from it if you want to pop into town. Because it's full of middle age hippies it's rather expensive to live (where do they get their money from?!) and v hard to get a job in the vicinity - there are no admin jobs currently advertised on total jobs (and only 2 other jobs)

Would be quite hard to get a job anywhere close by that pays decently - the bay isn't an admin hub and it's possible you'd have to travel to Exeter - at least 45 mins drive on a Sunday - and that's not accounting for the horrendous traffic often around newton abbott.

Sorry - aware this is uber negative and I do try not to be- to ramp it up a notch I would say I'd totally live in totnes or surrounding areas as it's beautiful if having a decently paid job was out of the equation

robin1234

On the plus side, Totnes is 30 minutes from Plymouth by train, and 45 minutes from Exeter. (Torquay about 35 minutes, Newton Abbot 10 minutes.) So obviously within easy railway travel time from job opportunities.

Felixfinch

Hi Carolyn,

I'm from Totnes. Spent most of the last 6 years away in Sheffield at university but I was back home for 9 months while I saved money to come out to Vancouver.

Totnes is a very nice town and has weathered the recession reasonably well, much better than some of the surrounding towns mentioned such as Paignton, Torquay or Newton Abbot which seem to have gone downhill (can only judge from fairly brief visits).

I wouldn't say it's full of middle-aged hippies either, there are several primary schools and a large and popular secondary. The politics swing between lib dem and conservative and most people have their heads screwed on right - there are a lot of new agey types around but they're harmless and it all adds to a friendly vibe!

You would probably want a car as public transport is not very good, unless you are happy to mostly stay in town and use the train/bus to visit/commute to other places.
Housing is expensive although there is a new development planned along the river, I don't think building has started yet though.

Couldn't advise on admin jobs as I was working in the 7 stars hotel, there is the school I mentioned and also fairly large council offices in the follaton area. Otherwise there are decent transport links on train or park and ride to Exeter/Plymouth.

Generally - if you can afford it then Totnes is a really nice place to live. It has everything needed in terms of facilities, assuming jobs and money are fine and you don't want to live in a city then I don't think you can go far wrong.