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Thousands of people in the UK are realising that city life isn’t for them anymore. A combination of too many new housing developments clogging up cities and the rising cost of living means that homeowners and renters want to swap the hustle and bustle for a slower pace and better quality of life.
They want to live somewhere that offers more space and provides a more relaxing day-to-day experience – and Devon is at the top of the list. It seems to tick all the right boxes, but let’s explore why people are moving to Devon of all places, and what to expect before and when you arrive.
Moving To Devon: Why It’s A Popular Choice?
As mentioned, lots of people want to ditch the busy cities or city suburbs for something altogether different. London residents are the biggest example of this; they feel like there’s no room to breathe in such a busy city that keeps getting busier, not to mention house and rental prices are ridiculous – and it’s a fairly similar sentiment across all major UK cities.
So, why Devon?
Well, when you pinpoint some of the key reasons people want to leave cities, you notice that Devon fits the bill perfectly:
- Enjoy a better quality of life
- Get more value for money
Enjoy a better quality of life
According to a recent bit of research, Devon was ranked first amongst all UK counties for quality of life. People love living here because it’s got the perfect blend of peacefulness and things to do. The natural scenery makes it a stunning place to call home as well; residents love walking around the sprawling landscapes, taking in various national parks or going for a quick trip to the coastline.
Get more value for money
the average monthly rent in Devon is £863 per month, and house prices are around £300,000. That’s taken from the Office for National Statistics, and you get so much more for what you pay here. Spend just over a grand in rent per month, and you’re looking at a three-bedroom house with a garden. A £300,000 home in Devon can easily be detached with multiple bedrooms, a big garden and parking.
People want to move out of cramped city apartments and into bigger spaces without blowing their budget, and Devon represents a great opportunity for that.
The Reality Of Relocating To Devon
As appealing as moving to Devon sounds, what is it actually like to live there? Like all things, it won’t be perfect – and you’ll notice some immediate differences in comparison to city living:
- Slower rural internet: Don’t expect gigabit fibre internet speeds everywhere in Devon. It does have some places with near-perfect connectivity, but if you want to live in a more peaceful town or village, then prepare to sacrifice in this department.
- Public transport isn’t as readily available: Again, you can forget about tubes or tram systems in this county. It’s very important for you to have a car here, as you won’t be able to live by relying on public transport.
- Seasonal tourism: Devon isn’t just a great place to live; it’s a popular tourist destination. You’ll have to get used to thousands of people visiting this area in the summer. However, if you live in London, then you probably know all about tourism anyway!
- Social adjustment: It can feel quite daunting to move to a place like Devon, as some areas are very community-centric. You have to slip into an existing local community and may feel like an outsider. It’s tough to handle at first, but you get used to it.
The Best Places To Live In Devon
If you can handle the reality of relocating to Devon, then where are the best places to live? The joy of this county is that it has something for everyone. That sounds cliché, but take a look at this list, and you’ll soon understand:
- Exeter – Ideal for professionals and young families: As one of Devon’s biggest cities, Exeter offers the closest you’ll get to London life without all the action. It’s a much quieter city that gives you the experience of Devon with more home comforts.
- South Hams – Perfect for a proper Devon lifestyle: This area of Devon is the best place to go for a quintessential Devon experience. It contains so many towns and villages with access to gorgeous country walks and scenery.
- Barnstaple – A quieter town: If you want to really slow things down but avoid feeling totally disconnected, Barnstaple is an awesome choice. It’s a small town with loads of things to do and great road access to see the rest of Devon on the weekends.
- Totnes & Tavistock – Your smaller community towns: Those of you who want to embrace Devon and feel part of the community will love small towns like these, but expect a truly rural experience.
Moving To Devon From London: What’s It Like?
As dreamy as Devon seems, the logistics of moving to Devon from London still put some people off. Google Maps suggests it will take over 4 hours by car, which means you’ll have a tough time moving your household such a distance. Realistically, it’s virtually impossible to move everything in one go on your own, so you’re left with two choices:
- Make multiple trips yourself (which involves driving in and out of London multiple times)
- Hire a Devon removals company to help with everything
If you like avoiding stress, then the second option is far more convenient, and Britannia Lanes offers a simple solution. As an experienced removals company, we know all about moving to Devon and have handled this exact journey many times before. We have facilities in Devon, which means we can store any of your items if required, and we know the local roads better than national companies.
It’s a simple case of booking a removals slot, and then letting our team load up our trucks to transport your home away from the business of London and into the much more peaceful county of Devon.
Book a survey with Britannia Lanes Removals today, and we can help kickstart the process of moving to Devon from London.
