Sarah
Depends on how much you're looking to spend. On Wednesday night there are the car auctions in Exeter at the auctions rooms on Marsh Barton(opposite the park & ride car park). The cars are cheap and the atmosphere is friendly. There's also a garage in Starcross (think its called Starcross Car Sales) they sell cheap cars ideal for learning in (i.e. they already have a few dents in them!) :D
Well i relocated to Dawlish from the North about 7 years ago and would recommend it to anyone! To be honest if you're thinking of moving farther down Exeter Road i.e. Little Week Road area you won't really have that many problems with the 'grockels'. As previously stated in the Summer you may be forced off the pavement on the Strand by stressed mums with pushchairs, but out of town is mostly ...
My Friend lives next door to the White Hart pub, though it is 7 Albert street, on the right hand side is the launderette, but it does have quite old and cosy accomodation above it, that could be the remainder of White Hart cottages ?