My mum who is on her own, has just dropped a clanger in that she is now not interested in moving to Oz with my sister & I (plus families - if my sister can get her visa). Mainly because of the flight - as she has a fear of flying - but also because of her way of life here and whether she can afford to live over there. So she also wouldn't visit us either. So when we go to Oz - if we do now (still got trip planned next March) - we won't see her again unless we come back to the UK every 2 yrs or so. We're not sure if we can do that - leave her here on her own. We now feel so deflated!!

So Plan B was to consider moving to South Devon - (whilst we work on her) nothing compared to Oz I know. No offence to people living there. So I hope you don't mind me posting this on here, but i notice there are a few people on BE who live in Devon and i was wondering if you could let me know about recommended schools, areas to live/avoid etc..

Thank you so much

Allison

where in devon you off to, i lived in exeter for 19 years. Great place to live

Don't know - would still much prefer Oz - so half-hearted at the moment! But we have been to dartmoor areas several times & liked it there - but not sure if much to do?

Ally....your mum will come around. My MIL said she would never fly as she said her doctor said she couldn't since having a heart attack 10 years ago. She even looked in to bloody sailing to see us. Now two year later she cannot wait for us to go and YES she said she will fly out to see us.

Don't give up on YOUR dream as you will live to regret it one day

Hiya

We live in Plymouth - 2 minutes from the Moors - No Snow today - rains alot - It's OK though!

If you're looking to come to Plymouth - Ivybridge?? Please let me know your thoughts on an area and I will try to give info - Our kids are in good schools - Area where we live is nice - I would much rather be here than a big city, but that has it's down sides too - Plymouth tends to be the back end of nowhere if you want to travel. Unless it by Ferry of Course!

If we want to go anywhere, we have to add at least 2 hours onto our journey to get to Bristol etc. If you want to fly anywhere, you're very restricted to destinations for local airports etc. As for the surrounding areas and views and walks and beaches - I would definately recommend it.

It all depends on what you want

Angie

Thanks for the wise words Issie - nice to hear from you again... How are things with you?

I know you are right and my head tells me to go for it, it's the right thing to do - but my heart says otherwise!! Why is this so difficult??? I hope she does come around to it, as i know she would love it.

I am fine thanks .....house going on the market soon, just having a good sort out.

TBH Ally it took me a while to get my head around thing and YES i still find it hard and feel a right bitch for leaving the people that have care and loved me all my life. But I have seen Australia and what it will offer me and my family and i know that if they love and care for me like they say they do they will respect me for what i want and believe in.

No one has ever said it will be easy. But if you stayed in this country because of your Mum in years to come you may resent her for it......

But i totally understand where you are coming from

Hi Angie
Thanks for the reply..

I did some brief research a few months ago, before we became sold on Oz and quite liked the areas of Tavistock, Dartington & the surrounding areas - but haven't looked into it for a while now - as we were dead set on Oz - so have been researching Oz only....

I understand about the remoteness as we found that out when going for days out when we were there last October - it took us ages to get anywhere, but i don't mind that.

Any info very much appreciated...

Allison

Glad you are getting sorted .. you must be really excited! Good luck to you!

I feel angry with her already for getting my hopes up - saying that she will come and now she won't, not even to visit.. so yes you are right i probably would resent her for it in years to come.

That is why we are still going to Oz in March 08 to see whether it would be worth it - no matter the cost...of what/who i'd be leaving behind. That is when the decision will be really hard.

Take care

I'm also from Plymouth.

It has some pretty good grammar schools, but like almost everywhere else there are schools to avoid as well. But many many nice areas there in which to live.
It also has quite a lot going on as opposed to some of the smaller towns in Devon, and generally has a pretty nice quality of life - as there are so many lovely places to visit within say half an hours drive - including Dartmoor, beaches etc.
I'd definitely recommend it, and while i'm London based and have been for ages, going back home to Plymouth where the air is so clean, and people are so much more friendly, is just wonderful.
It does rain a LOT though.
Its about 3.5 hours to London, and like other people have said, Bristol airport is your nearest in terms of international flights. Plymouth airport always appears to be on the verge of expanding, but it never quite seems to happen!

Good luck with whatever you decide

I grew up in Devon. A village near Yelverton which is just outside Plymouth. Its a lovely area. Definately rains an awful lot though. You could try some where like Tavistock, its a small town and is nestled on the edge of Dartmoor.

I second Tavi - it's a great town.

Plymouth's ok but, having lived there for four years, I am not overly-enamoured of it.

Anywhere between the two locations, though, would probably be pretty nice too and give you the option of going to either location to do your shopping.

Best of luck no matter what you decide, (and I reckon you should do what makes you happy)!!

I am aiming to move back to the Devon area and I've been doing some research. Tavistock...can't go wrong. It's a very lovely market town and has a low crime rate. Cullompton and Crediton are the same. Schools; the best state high school in the area is "Uffculme School". It's STAT's reports and GCSE grades (in the rankings) are up there in the high 70's along with the private school! My kids will be going there...I hope.

The primary schools that feed Uffculme are:
Burlescombe (Tiverton)
Culmstock (Cullompton)
Hemyock (Cullompton) * this has an excellent OFSTED report
Kentisbeare (Cullompton)
Sampford Peverell (Tiverton)
Uffculme Primary (Uffculme)
Uplowman (Tiverton)
Webbers (Wellington)

Many of these primary schools have 50-80 kids. They take the kids through to year 7.....go do the math! Look at the one to one attention and teaching your kids will get. No 30+ kids in a class there!

Go into www.ukpropertyshop.co.uk and click under "Find Estate Agents" the go under "Find Counties" you'll see all the villages and little towms.

Good luck.

Hi

This is just my viewpoint, but I find Australia to be "remote", in more than one sense of the word.

It is awful to read that your Mum won't visit you if you move here. I haven't seen my parents for nearly 6 years, they refuse to visit, they didn't tell me this before I left, so at least you have been forewarned. I have been separated from them and all that is familiar, I find it secluded and lonely here, that to me is remote as well as the fact that Australia itself is far away.

I hope you can come up with a solution to your difficulty.

All the best

Thank you so much for this information Tracey - it is very kind of you. Why did you choose Devon to move back to rather than where you used to live? What village do you think you will move back into?

The school class sizes are very appealing!!

Good luck with your move - sorry it hasn't worked for you over in Oz.
Best wishes
Ally