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Thinking of a move to Somerset as I've loved and visited the Quantocks and Exmoor for a long time. But whats it like actually living in the area? Any pitfalls? I'm already in a popular holiday area so used to the influx of tourists (which I like - adds some life in summer) and the quietness of winter. Guessing its similar?
Also whats it like for amenities, particularly out-of-season, guessing Taunton not so affected but does a lot of stuff close down closer to the coast?
Ideally I'd like to be within a ride of the Q's and Brendons so Watchet / Williton would be great for that, but may need to get to Bristol or Exeter for work (maybe a few times a week) which starts to get a bit of a stretch. Anywhere else worth considering in the area?
Ultimate plan is to have some holiday let potential (ideally with walking/biking opportunities) so just chucking ideas around at the moment.
I'd avoid anywhere that relied on the A39 for getting anywhere between the two, moving average gets down into the low 20s mph in summer!
Taunton's OK but most of it is at risk of flooding EA website
Minehead is nice but remote & dies in the winter apart from pensioner coach trips & Butlins cheap stag/hen do's.
We live in the Blackdowns (Hemyock), easy to reach Taunton, Exeter etc. South coast is 40 mins away which i great. A couple of hours and you are in the heart of Cornwall. Hour and a half to South Wales.
It is a great area to live in, plenty of pubs and beautiful areas to visit. We tend to do most of our 'tourist' things out of season, as it does get pretty busy. We stick to our local routes, walks etc. in the summer holidays as we know they quieter areas now. We do our shopping super early, as our local town (Honiton) seems to be a convenient stop on the way to SD and Cornwall.
We much prefer living down here, but there are a few conveniences that you miss. After living within walking distance of town, being able to walk in to town and go for a Wagas. Awful broadband....we are getting about 3mbs.
email is in my profile, so any questions feel free to ping me an email.
kingston upon Mary. Rideable to the quantocks, rideable to Taunton station which gives you access to train to Exeter/Bristol/London.
Kingston st Mary. Been a while since I moved further SW.
Black downs is probably cheaper and easier access but the local riding is shit.
Great riding there, I try to ride there once each summer. Not sure about living, seems to be rich and retired, or young and struggling to make ends meet, and little between.
Not much there for work/cultural stuff. You'd be better further north, nearer to Bath and Bristol.
JP
We moved to Holford about 18 months ago...
If you’re happy outdoors, then everything you need is here.
Quantocks don’t get too busy in the summer, so it’s not as seasonal as Exmoor
There isn’t as much work. The a39 is a nightmare. There’s 1 or 2 fast trains a day to London, which are good when they run on time.
I don’t regret the move, nor do my wife, daughter or dogs, but we’re quite self sufficient. We have friends who we see more, as when they come, they stay. However, I also have relatives who won’t come because it’s too far!
I can’t see myself moving back to civilisation any time soon.
We’ve also been looking at moving to the area, with a view to semi-retirement and maybe doing a holiday let. Kingston St Mary sounds like a good shout. Looking for a community to be part of, access to riding from the door, and a good pub.
For riding/walking from your door, holiday let potential, and a good pub (The Plough) I would look at Holford. It's about 20-25 mins from Taunton and half an hour from the M5.
I keep riding past this place and seeing the for sale sign and thinking it would be an ideal place to live.
https://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-83650211.html
I live in Taunton, it's ok as far as towns go but suits me as I work in Exeter. Riding wise it's ideal being so close to the Quantocks, 10-15 min drive or 45-50 min ride if I'm feeling energetic. There's a couple other good local spots 😉 then you've got Exmoor, Dartmoor, Haldon, FOD, South Wales all not that far away.
That’s one of the ones at the bottom of Holford Combe isn’t it? Seems cheap for there.