AJM72

Hi,

I am considering moving to the UK with my wife and 2 young children. I am looking at settling in the Devon area. Can anyone recommend any nice areas in Devon that are suitable for raising young children (they aren't school age yet)? Also what is the overall vibe of living in this area?

Thanks

old.sparkles

Hi AJM and welcome to BE

Can I ask - are you moving back or moving to? By that, are you all British citizens?

AJM72

I am moving back to the uk. I am a British Citizen. My wife qualifies for an ancestral visa and my children are British citizens through me. They have just been given their UK passports.

old.sparkles

That's good - makes life a lot easier

I can't help with any real info - my DD holidays don't that way, as do friends from work - and they keep going back so must be something there. Living somewhere permanently though is never the same, so hopefully someone else will be along with first hand experience to share soon

TheEmperorIsNaked

There are a couple of posters who were talking about that neck of the woods I think,-they should be along shortly I reckon

The global nature of BE means that there are day 'shifts', and night 'shifts'!

zutijar

We moved from Appledore in Devon (a great and friendly place) to southern Spain for a change of climate and lifestyle. 4 years ago we moved to Normandy in France where we have a better climate than the UK and are just one hour from ferries and airports back to the UK to see family. Normandy is friendly and VERY safe for kids who grow up bilingual, well-behaved and respectful. The countryside is just like Devon - lanes with high banks and hedgerows, the whole area is like growing up in England in the '50's - everyone supports the local butchers and bakers, the market stalls and farm shops but equally visits the hypermarkets 10 minutes away. There are crèches, nurseries, after school clubs, summer vacation clubs and kids make friends easily. It's a very pro-British region for obvious historic reasons. Unfortunately for health reasons we have to move back to the UK to be nearer family, but it IS unfortunately and with great regrets. Our French friends all try to speak English and laugh when they teach us French slang. We have always been struck when dining out how well-behaved French children are and how they still speak when spoken to! You don't have to go ALL the way back to England to give your kids the perfect lifestyle! Good luck anyway.

chris955

Any advice for the OP who isnt actually moving to France?

luvmeboys

Hi, we have a home in a tiny hamlet in North Devon not far from Westward Ho!

I love it, it has a pub which welcomes dogs and has a decent menu.
Shops are local, walks are great in all weathers, locals are friendly and honest.

Barnstaple is a short drive away, great shops, cafe's etc.

My part of Devon is very much old fashioned England, always feels safe and I can't wait to get back

zutijar

I DID commence my post with Appledore! A great place. I think though that posters should try to remain open-minded. It's a big wide world!

dunroving

OK so why does Westward Ho! have an exclamation mark but Plymouth Ho doesn't? (Just wondering - it might be important to the OP, you never know ...)

Pistolpete2

Because it's Plymouth HOE

For trivia enthusiasts, Westward Ho! is named after Charles Kingsley's book of same name.

chris955

My point is if someone is looking to move specifically to Devon they arent likely to say 'oh lets try France instead'

dunroving

Ho Hoe Ho!

Pistolpete2

That Hoe thing had you bowled over then? LOL - nudge nudge

TheEmperorIsNaked

It was a comparison with that area, so quite valid in my view. You and I both know that 'across the pond' is a fair distance! So experience of Devon/France with some similarity-and close access to the UK../young family also?

I reckon it's an informative post

(...........besides; are we not very familiar with those who concentrate on some of the most minor issues in our posts Chris....?)