Interesting video. The Southwest of England is more affordable than I thought it would be and I love the charming little towns, the coastal settings and the beautiful scenery. Thanks for another great video Tessa. Looks like you are exploring a lot of places. You seem to be really enjoying being back in England :)
Appreciate you watching and commenting. Glad you’re enjoying them. I think it’s probably easy to take these lovely places for granted that I certainly don’t!
As someone who relocated to the South West from the North in 2003 I have some experience here. I was 48 so quite late in moving and I needed to work. Unless you are going to make your living working on the internet from home this is a big consideration. I would also say this, if there is something that you need in your life make sure your new location can provide it. I had no requirements or expectations other than work and wanting a nice place to live that is handy for coast and country. I also have no desire to travel around Britain anymore outside the West Country been connected isn’t a priority for me. I do still travel over seas, India been one destination but I’m willing to put the extra effort in getting there form somewhere that is not too well connected. I know Totnes well and it is a lovely place to live. Believe it or not the locals have resisted a National coffee shop chain starting up in Totnes as they don’t want the town to look like every other place in the world. I support this as they have some good independents and its part of wanting a better living experience, not becoming the same as everywhere else. I live in Devon and use a Vespa to get about, touring Cornwall, Somerset and Dorset in summer over the last few years. This has served to deepen my appreciation for the region. I don’t expect many to wan’t to travel by Vespa but you can do the same by car. There is much to enjoy and for me a slower pace of life is one of them.
Very interesting video, Tessa! We enjoyed watching it. Many of these places we have visited, but it's nice to hear of another couple places that we haven't been to... but would like to check out!XX Dara
There is a train station in Dartmouth. It is the only train station that has never had a train arrive. This is because it was built expecting to have the railway built and it was refused access. The actual nearest station is Kingswear, across the river Dart.
Cirencester is my absolute favourite place in the world. I have been thinking about moving there for some time. I don’t live far from there now, but would love to live in it. There are so many picturesque streets with hidden courtyards and cafes and restaurants. It’s got such a great vibe and is bustling. Those photos don’t do it justice at all.
Cirencester is certainly a nice little town and is not to far from the station at Kemble where you can get trains too Paddington. If you live at the top of the hill at the west of Dartmouth you would get the afternoon sun. Nice walk down hill to the town centre but a bit of a climb back out unless you get the bus. There is a ferry across the river to Kingswear wear there is a steam train to Paignton which is on the national rail network. Kingswear also has more frequent buses to Paignton until the early evening. There is a good cycle path beside the river from Topsham down to Exmouth.
Stoke Sub Hamdon, South Somerset. Not crawling with tourists; the Times' apparent obsession. Ham Hill Country Park towers above. Perfect for endless countryside access. Better than Bridport for sure and a proper community.
@@andrewoakley4957 Thailand for 15 years - it was awful. The Thais 'smile' when you are opening your wallet and that is what most tourists see when they go on their wonderful two week holidays there.
You don't get much of house in the SW UK for £350k. Try Inverness and the Moray Coast, a4 bed house is possible for this amount of money, better quality of life.
As someone who has grown up and lives in Devon. All I can ask is for people not to move to Devon and Cornwall. You really wouldn't enjoy the slower, better, and quality of life down here. 😂😂😂😂
I moved from the north to the south west 18 years ago. You didn’t mention Croyde, Woolacombe, Braunton, there’s so much in North Devon with the countryside and sea on your doorstep. The train station is in Barnstaple not far away and buses go there.
Thank-you for the video. Tessa. My comment would be that imo you are perhaps missing an audience segment by only talking about cars and trains. In the UK, 25% of adults to not have a driving license (often for medical reasons), so usually travel by cycle, bus or train. I appreciate that in the USA such people are often designed out of life in many places by the regulations - no sidewalks in many places, for example. For me, for example, I am in my 50s but have a medical condition which means I may not be able to drive in a decade or two (eyesight), so when I choose where to live I *have* to take into account life without my own motor vehicle. There are many millions of people with constraints like this. I'd make a similar point about the properties you mention, and their accessibility. I would think several times before living in a upstairs flat conversion, for example - where would I put my cycle or tricycle? Could you perhaps keep an eye out for smaller bungalows or ground floor flats in your video wanderings, and sometimes feature them? Recently we have seen an expansion in better transport in some places, and I think that we will be seeing a long term improvement in non-motorised options in many places, both urban and eventually rural. There's a lot of background work being done to facilitate that change. My practice is to have a folding e-cycle in my car, that I use to explore and get a closer understanding of anywhere I visit. If I suggest one subject to explain to people thinking about coming here from Usonia, I'd suggest our network of Public Rights of Way, which don't seem to exist in most countries, and how to read out history through the landscape and architecture. On the former I would recommend the hiking RUclipsr Paul Whitewick who is based in the South West, and on the latter the rural cycling RUclipsr cyclingn8, who often cycles with his children in the country,. and always gives a local history commentary. All the best.
Bear in mind that Dorset has no motorways and very few dual carriageways, so driving around the county is slow! I live in Gloucestershire and it takes me 2 hours to get 80 miles to a site near Yeovil. Falmouth, similarly, although lovely, is a long way from anywhere. The nearest big town is Plymouth which is over an hour and a half away - Exeter is 2 hours. Should you wish to see a show in London, you are looking at a 5.5 hour journey...
I live in Plymouth and to be honest, the draw of being down this part of the South West is being as far away from London as possible. Far away from everywhere and contained within ourselves, with access to great outdoor places. When we require a hit of London, we make it a holiday then leave it all behind and withdraw right back to our beloved wild wild west. PS Plymouth is not known for its attractive town centre, far from it really. However, as a single woman, I could buy a house on my own here and home affordability is a great boon in my books.
@@Rebel_Leader7 I do get that completely. I occasionally have to go to London - and leaving it is always a highlight! However, I also used to do work with a studio in Falmouth and they said that getting people to work for them was a real trial because people didn't factor in the travel time to get anywhere that isn't Cornwall. Mind you, their office was directly above Warren's Pasty shop, so why anyone would want to leave is beyond me.
For those that need reminding, southwest England starts at the east bank of the river Tamar!!…..Kernow (Cornwall) England’s first and last Colonial possession! For those those that say Cornwall voluntarily became a part of England, please show the articles of joinder!!
Love the west country . Would I live there ? No. Spoke to a lady in st Ives and she said winter time the town is dead compared to what it used to be because of homes bought as holiday let's . I want predominantly west country folk living there. That's what gives the place 50% of its wonderful character.
I am West Country born and bred. I live in a quiet village, sadly you would get nothing in the vicinity for less than £500. Totnes is a dump populated by hippies who have lost the ability to use soap. Topsham is nice though.
I'd have to politely disagree. Unless you're on the coast, there are some good buys in parts of Dorset and south Somerset. Even Bridport isn't too bad.
A video about the best places to live in the UK??? .Are you sure? hmmm timing a bit suspect seeing as given the new government and machinations involved therein - the whole place must be low on the totem pole from a living perspective.
![BLACK BAG - Official Trailer [HD] - Only in Theaters March 14](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Du0Xp8WX_7I/mqdefault.jpg)
Interesting video. The Southwest of England is more affordable than I thought it would be and I love the charming little towns, the coastal settings and the beautiful scenery. Thanks for another great video Tessa. Looks like you are exploring a lot of places. You seem to be really enjoying being back in England :)
Appreciate you watching and commenting. Glad you’re enjoying them. I think it’s probably easy to take these lovely places for granted that I certainly don’t!
As someone who relocated to the South West from the North in 2003 I have some experience here. I was 48 so quite late in moving and I needed to work. Unless you are going to make your living working on the internet from home this is a big consideration. I would also say this, if there is something that you need in your life make sure your new location can provide it. I had no requirements or expectations other than work and wanting a nice place to live that is handy for coast and country. I also have no desire to travel around Britain anymore outside the West Country been connected isn’t a priority for me. I do still travel over seas, India been one destination but I’m willing to put the extra effort in getting there form somewhere that is not too well connected. I know Totnes well and it is a lovely place to live. Believe it or not the locals have resisted a National coffee shop chain starting up in Totnes as they don’t want the town to look like every other place in the world. I support this as they have some good independents and its part of wanting a better living experience, not becoming the same as everywhere else. I live in Devon and use a Vespa to get about, touring Cornwall, Somerset and Dorset in summer over the last few years. This has served to deepen my appreciation for the region. I don’t expect many to wan’t to travel by Vespa but you can do the same by car. There is much to enjoy and for me a slower pace of life is one of them.
Glad you’re enjoying your slower pace of life and I agree I think Totnes is unique in the best way.
Ain’t it great to be middle class, and financially well off. Enjoy your romantic visions, and nomadic lifestyle.
This is a wind up. Isn't it?
@@digitalimager4946 What is, my post or @DerekLangdon-w9e comment. My post is no wind up.
Very interesting video, Tessa! We enjoyed watching it. Many of these places we have visited, but it's nice to hear of another couple places that we haven't been to... but would like to check out!XX Dara
Hey, good to hear from you Dara. I hope you are both doing well. Thanks for watching and yeah come on down to the Southwest and check it out!
Totnes has its Secrets!
There is a train station in Dartmouth. It is the only train station that has never had a train arrive. This is because it was built expecting to have the railway built and it was refused access. The actual nearest station is Kingswear, across the river Dart.
Kingswear has a steam train line that operates part of the year and only at day time - so not a viable option for many.
Cirencester is my absolute favourite place in the world. I have been thinking about moving there for some time. I don’t live far from there now, but would love to live in it. There are so many picturesque streets with hidden courtyards and cafes and restaurants. It’s got such a great vibe and is bustling. Those photos don’t do it justice at all.
Thanks for letting me know. I’ll try to make a point to go visit it myself in person!
Falmouth has 3 train stations penmere,falmouth town and falmouth docks
Cirencester is certainly a nice little town and is not to far from the station at Kemble where you can get trains too Paddington.
If you live at the top of the hill at the west of Dartmouth you would get the afternoon sun. Nice walk down hill to the town centre but a bit of a climb back out unless you get the bus. There is a ferry across the river to Kingswear wear there is a steam train to Paignton which is on the national rail network. Kingswear also has more frequent buses to Paignton until the early evening.
There is a good cycle path beside the river from Topsham down to Exmouth.
Thanks for the input!
Stoke Sub Hamdon, South Somerset. Not crawling with tourists; the Times' apparent obsession. Ham Hill Country Park towers above. Perfect for endless countryside access. Better than Bridport for sure and a proper community.
A very pretty part of Somerset 👍🏻
Being from Martock I tend to agree, although your username would suggest an affinity for Thailand! Which I also wholeheartedly agree with! 😊😊
@@andrewoakley4957 Thailand for 15 years - it was awful. The Thais 'smile' when you are opening your wallet and that is what most tourists see when they go on their wonderful two week holidays there.
You don't get much of house in the SW UK for £350k. Try Inverness and the Moray Coast, a4 bed house is possible for this amount of money, better quality of life.
This is true, which is why I said you don’t get much for your money! but I wanted to go with homes around the national average 🤓
@@HipOverFifty Fair enough.
As someone who has grown up and lives in Devon. All I can ask is for people not to move to Devon and Cornwall. You really wouldn't enjoy the slower, better, and quality of life down here. 😂😂😂😂
The Isle of Wight is a better place to live than Devon and Cornwall 😉
Bridport: most people going to Bridport use Axminster train station, much closer and a bus service usually.
Thanks 🙏 I guess it depends which direction you’re coming from as well as which line you want to be on
I moved from the north to the south west 18 years ago. You didn’t mention Croyde, Woolacombe, Braunton, there’s so much in North Devon with the countryside and sea on your doorstep. The train station is in Barnstaple not far away and buses go there.
I try only to feature places I've been to... but I need to get to the north Devon coast one of these days!
Thank-you for the video. Tessa.
My comment would be that imo you are perhaps missing an audience segment by only talking about cars and trains. In the UK, 25% of adults to not have a driving license (often for medical reasons), so usually travel by cycle, bus or train. I appreciate that in the USA such people are often designed out of life in many places by the regulations - no sidewalks in many places, for example.
For me, for example, I am in my 50s but have a medical condition which means I may not be able to drive in a decade or two (eyesight), so when I choose where to live I *have* to take into account life without my own motor vehicle. There are many millions of people with constraints like this.
I'd make a similar point about the properties you mention, and their accessibility. I would think several times before living in a upstairs flat conversion, for example - where would I put my cycle or tricycle? Could you perhaps keep an eye out for smaller bungalows or ground floor flats in your video wanderings, and sometimes feature them?
Recently we have seen an expansion in better transport in some places, and I think that we will be seeing a long term improvement in non-motorised options in many places, both urban and eventually rural. There's a lot of background work being done to facilitate that change.
My practice is to have a folding e-cycle in my car, that I use to explore and get a closer understanding of anywhere I visit.
If I suggest one subject to explain to people thinking about coming here from Usonia, I'd suggest our network of Public Rights of Way, which don't seem to exist in most countries, and how to read out history through the landscape and architecture. On the former I would recommend the hiking RUclipsr Paul Whitewick who is based in the South West, and on the latter the rural cycling RUclipsr cyclingn8, who often cycles with his children in the country,. and always gives a local history commentary.
All the best.
Thanks for watching and for your comments. Always good to hear a different points of view!
Question for you 😊 My husband was born in England to British mother and American father. Does he just need to apply for a passport?
If he was born before 1983 the answer is most likely yes.
@HipOverFifty. Yay!
Bear in mind that Dorset has no motorways and very few dual carriageways, so driving around the county is slow! I live in Gloucestershire and it takes me 2 hours to get 80 miles to a site near Yeovil. Falmouth, similarly, although lovely, is a long way from anywhere. The nearest big town is Plymouth which is over an hour and a half away - Exeter is 2 hours. Should you wish to see a show in London, you are looking at a 5.5 hour journey...
I live in Plymouth and to be honest, the draw of being down this part of the South West is being as far away from London as possible.
Far away from everywhere and contained within ourselves, with access to great outdoor places.
When we require a hit of London, we make it a holiday then leave it all behind and withdraw right back to our beloved wild wild west.
PS
Plymouth is not known for its attractive town centre, far from it really. However, as a single woman, I could buy a house on my own here and home affordability is a great boon in my books.
@@Rebel_Leader7 I do get that completely. I occasionally have to go to London - and leaving it is always a highlight! However, I also used to do work with a studio in Falmouth and they said that getting people to work for them was a real trial because people didn't factor in the travel time to get anywhere that isn't Cornwall. Mind you, their office was directly above Warren's Pasty shop, so why anyone would want to leave is beyond me.
Living in the Southwest, I know exactly what you mean, but I do like the option of being able to hop on the train and going to London to see my son!
@@keithhealing1115 Wow! It’s always been my ambition to live above a pasty shop!………haha, you clown!
@@Rebel_Leader7 So you are comparing a despotic crime ridden place like Plymouth, to other crime ridden cities around Britain. How hilarious.
Do you mind me asking where in Britain you were born = just curious.
Northhampton!
@@HipOverFifty I should say welcome home.
From the south coast (Dorset and Hampshire) you are not viewing the English Channel, but the "Solent".
For those that need reminding, southwest England starts at the east bank of the river Tamar!!…..Kernow (Cornwall) England’s first and last Colonial possession! For those those that say Cornwall voluntarily became a part of England, please show the articles of joinder!!
Yes, it's clear that the person who made up this list, has no idea about Countries😂
Love the west country .
Would I live there ?
No.
Spoke to a lady in st Ives and she said winter time the town is dead compared to what it used to be because of homes bought as holiday let's .
I want predominantly west country folk living there.
That's what gives the place 50% of its wonderful character.
I hear what you're saying, but all of the West country isn't like St Ives!
I am West Country born and bred. I live in a quiet village, sadly you would get nothing in the vicinity for less than £500. Totnes is a dump populated by hippies who have lost the ability to use soap. Topsham is nice though.
I know where i want to move to, but im not telling anybody, as i don't want everyone moving there?
It's a shame that you have never heard of RAILWAY STATIONS and Torquay. Torquay is part of the ENGLISH RIVIERA.
You have to be pretty wealthy to live in any of the places you have mentioned
I'd have to politely disagree. Unless you're on the coast, there are some good buys in parts of Dorset and south Somerset. Even Bridport isn't too bad.
Poundbury is THE best
@@sunayapapa5202 Don’t you mean Dorchester Poundbury is just a small area of the county town.
Glad you like it. I've driven through there. It reminds me a bit of similar towns they built in Florida like Seaside and Celebration.
The Times lists are notoriously suspect. Suggest taking them with a pinch of salt.
Which is why I did my own take on it!
This lacks a lot of info as to why these places are the best to live, and most of them are not in the Southwest👎
Hmmm, the only one that I would say is not in the southwest is cirencester. Living in the southwest I feel reasonably qualified to comment. 😊
Scotland.
Please don't
Please don’t what?
A video about the best places to live in the UK??? .Are you sure? hmmm timing a bit suspect seeing as given the new government and machinations involved therein - the whole place must be low on the totem pole from a living perspective.