General Discussion
Hi, my family are hoping for a move from the dizzy smelly heights of London (originally from Plymouth) and we are in our in early 40's and have two young boys. Is there much going on in Dawlish to keep them occupied and also us parents who want to keep busy with Cubs, swim clubs etc? Any advice would be very much appreciate
Honestly I would give Dawlish a miss. In the 15 years I have been here it has just been a steady decline downwards. Exeter is the closest place for decent shopping and jobs and there is next to nothing for kids to do around the town.
I would suggest a better move would be to the outskirts of Newton Abott or better still Exeter. Public transport is really bad and the only way to get around is by car.
I may sound negative, but it is based on 15 years of living in Dawlish. Although if you do not need to work and didn't have kids it's a lovely place for walks and just enjoying yourself, but Dawlish...not exactly a crown jewel more a muddy puddle.
No life for your boys in Dawlish..it just looks attractive in high summer. Teignmouth is better, then Newton Abbot for Torbay but as D says lots to do in Exeter for all...then you can travel for days out to Dawlish. best way, if you rerally like it. Have to say.. Dawlish people seem pretty negative and still the 'outsider' issue, ..I lived there for 7 years... that was enough!
Oh really that's interesting. What is traveling in and out to exeter like for work? Is it crazy busy in the summer trying to get back at 5pm?
20years ago you could get to Exeter easily in 30mins, now you are lucky if you can do the same journey within an hour. I have lived in this area all my life and the road from Dawlish to Exeter has not changed apart from the Exminster by-pass. In the last 30years or more they must have built thousands of new homes, starting in Dawllish on to Starcross then Kenton and Exminister without giving the roads infrastructure any thought whatsoever. Having said that, I don't really know how they could improve the travelling time no matter how many road improvements were made. So the choice is yours, come to Dawlish or as it is now known (Dullish) or park your ass else where in Devon. In the summer time there is always a bottle-neck at Starcross.
Hi there.
For travel to Exeter and back, the best bet is the train, and despite the troubles, they generally do run on time.
Having lived here for 30 years, yes, there has been a decline but there are still things to do as you have mentioned.
Some people just look at doom and gloom.
All the best in what you do.
There is nothing in Dawlish to keep your boys occupied when i say nothing i mean nothing. We have the usual array of Cafe's some stay open longer some close at 3pm. A number of charity shops a couple of betting shops. Our only bank closed in October. However you could join our local shoplifting club which are always looking for new members. Yes, some people do look for doom and gloom we have plenty of that.
My partenr wants to move to the coast and I need to be close to Exter for work so where would anyone suggest?
Dawlish definitely. Ignore the doom-mongers above. I've lived here for 26 years, my OH 's family for generations, all my offspring and now grandchildren live here.
We love Dawlish. Like small towns everywhere there's good and bad. There are plenty of clubs/societies you can join, there's lots of voluntary groups who would love more support.
Dawlish is very community minded, the comment about outsiders is moot these days, most people here moved in!
Depends on the age of your children and their interests but they should be able to find something to do!
Transport isn't much of a problem and the roads are busy going to and from Exeter at peak times but not horrendous - average about 30 mins to the edges of the city.
Move here, throw yourself into Dawlish life and enjoy
This website's 'Societies' page is worth a look. I agree with Duckileaks, too much negativity on this forum.
Also note the Leisure Centre where there is lots going on.
Agree the train is the best way to go to Exeter.
I have been here for 34 years have brought up 3 children all doing well with no problems. As Duckileaks says there is good and bad but this place offers a great environment to bring up children. There is plenty to do if children are in the mind to take part my kids when younger and still at School spent days on the beach having a great time in the sea, and hours at different clubs not to mention two evenings per week at the leisure centre trampelining and swimming. My advice move to Dawlish and enjoy, your children will thrive mine have.
I totally agree with Duckileaks and Daverc my family grew up here and had a very happy, active childhood.
As Daverc said the Leisure Centre is just one option.
Hi Leatash, Daverc and Duckileaks,
I have looked and there are cub groups, football teams, Rugby, Running clubs, Life Savers Club all sorts of things as well as the beach. Thnaks for your messages on here. We are down in mid feb to look at a few houses so will be making the most of our time.
In regards to travel i am in construction so will be driving to work most times
By the way, what is it like on the beach with the train line? Noisy?
If you are walking on the sea wall, then yes, it is noisy when a train passes, but that is only for a few seconds.
As for being on the beach, it is a 'noise' that you get used to and it doesnt bother you after a while.
Also, it draws many people in when the steam trains go through in the season.
Thank you for all your responses positive and negative. We are done in Feb to see what it's like in closed season in the rain not just peak in the summer. May unknowingly walk passed a few of you on our trip and if move down hopefully become a part of the community
Go have a look at Exmouth, East Devon.....trains every half hour to Exeter takes 30 minutes and buses every 15 minutes in the day, last buses 2315 ... Exmouth has a busy town, shops and indoor market, new ten pin bowling centre, leisure centre at rail station. . Popular beach (peaceful) and Sandy Bay. You can go over the ferrry to Starcross for a trip to Dawlsih.
So much negativity about Dawlish. Move to Dawlish. I don't drive and manage to love it here and get around. Trains are good unless you want to come back really late. Getting into Exeter is easy by train. Buses are expensive though. If you drive you won't have a problem getting anywhere so come live in Dawlish.
Ive looked at Exmouth but house prices are much more and also not alot of choice. My commuting hours will be 6am so should beat the traffic and also return around 6.30 so should be coming the other way to all the seaside day trippers anyway.
I commute 6.45am and am in exeter on average within 25/30 mins, leaving Exeter around 4pm to come home with a similar sort of return journey time. You obviously have the odd hold up, break down etc. but doesn't everywhere. Certainly not enough to make me question travelling to work in Exeter in fact I lived around 3 miles to the east of Exeter afew years ago and that took me a similar length of time.