We came to live in Devon 40 years ago and enjoy the lifestyle and the people. It has provided a wonderful platform for our 3 offspring all of whom thrived on the good educational opportunities, environment and great friendships.

As they grew up and spread their wings it can on occasion make you feel a little remote as it's about a 3 hour drive from the South Hams where we live to Bristol and you are still in the Westcountry. So you have to be happy driving fairly long distances to get back into the main body of the country.

It certainly is a lot wetter in the West it has to be said but this balances out against the far milder climate down here.

We have some wonderful Morgan drives down here especially on Dartmoor and along the coastal routes.

Most proper traditional villages have thriving supportive communities with lots of choices of interesting things to partake in.

Try and avoid the purpose built retirement areas as you will find yourself in wrinkly land with a very unbalanced community age range which serves nobody well really.

As has been said rent a place for a year if you can and see whether you cope with the influx of grockles and the long wet warmer winter would be the best advice I could offer.

Good luck with your choice.

2009 4/4 Henrietta
1999 Indigo Blue +8
2009 4/4 Sport Green prev
1993 Connaught Green +8 prev