Living in Exeter – A Guide to Life in Devon
Are you thinking of living in Exeter?
Moving to Devon is an excellent choice for many thanks to a variety of reasons.
With all the amenities a big city has to offer coupled with the stunning countryside of Devon, Exeter is an ideal place to live.
Exeter is therefore a great choice for anyone who wants to enjoy this sort of lifestyle.
It is never easy to move to a new city.
The more knowledge you have about the area, the better prepared you will be for your move.
If you’re considering a move to Exeter, we’re here to help!
We hope to provide a detailed guide packed with tips, perfect for those considering wanting to call the city home.
This guide will cover everything from the cost of buying a property to the best shopping locations in the city.
If you are thinking of relocating to Exeter, here is our moving guide to the Devon city.
Property Market in Exeter
House Prices in Exeter may surprise you. Image credit: Envato Elements
The South West has a growing number of new houses and building developments popping up all over the city and surrounding areas, making it easier for people to find a new home there.
The great thing about this city is that the average cost of a home is economically priced at £350,787.
The price of real estate in any city or town varies depending on where you decide to settle and what appeals to your circumstances.
Make sure you do plenty of research and visit the town a few times before you decide where to live.
Exeter has almost 909 homes for sale, so you’re sure to find one that suits your needs.
A city centre home is a good option if you are young and childless.
There are shopping centres, pubs, and transportation links nearby.
Isca Place and Richmond Court, right in the middle of it, are great areas for these buyers to search.
Alphington and Pinhoe, both located near good schools and plenty of parkland, are two more family-friendly neighbourhoods a bit outside the central hub.
Keep in mind that you are going to pay different prices for different property types in Exeter.
Terraces in the city sell for an average of £316,281, with semi-detached homes averaging at £368,552.
Meanwhile large, detached houses are sitting at £525,348.
Clearly, there are some excellent places to call home in Exeter at very good prices!
Cost of Renting a Home
Exeter’s fantastic University attracts a large student population and ensures that the rental scene is a rather lively one, particularly at the lower end of the market.
There is a huge number of homes for tenants to choose from as Exeter currently has almost 400 properties available and according to Exeter City Council, the city offers consistently lower rents compared to other areas.
Popular locations for students naturally tend to be located close to the university around the Streatham and St Luke’s campuses.
Affordable properties can also be found in the areas of St Thomas, Clyst Heath and Exwick.
The road sits within a short walk to the city centre, ideal for work and convenient travel connections.
As a general rule, you can expect to pay an average of £1,925 per month on rent in Exeter.
There are currently 443 properties available to rent in the area, with 111 of these being below £1,000 per month.
Despite the high average rent prices, there are still some good deals to be found!
Cost of Living in Exeter
You will need to know the cost of living in Exeter before you move. Image credit: Pexels
The cost of living in Exeter is something you will have to consider.
In light of recent events across the UK and globally, inevitably inflation is soaring.
Although it sounds boring, sorting out your budget could make or break your move to the city.
The good news is that life in Exeter is much cheaper than in many other UK cities.
Most especially when compared to London where you can easily double the cost of practically everything.
Like most villages, towns and cities in the UK, Exeter provides a choice of different restaurants and supermarkets.
When you move to a new area, it is recommended that you get a good understanding of the prices you will be paying for food, both when eating out and cooking at home.
With a wide variety of choices, prices may vary across different locations.
As a general summary, these are the prices you can expect to pay for food when moving to Exeter:
- Meal at an inexpensive restaurant-£ 14.00
- Meal for 2 mid-range restaurants £60.00
- Fast food meal-£8.00
- Cappuccino or latte-£3.44
- 1 litre of milk-£1.25
- Loaf of bread-£1.32
- 1kg chicken-£4.67
The Best Schools
For families, priority number one is the educational welfare of their children.
Choosing an appropriate school is, therefore, very important.
The added bonus when you move to Exeter is that many of its schools have in recent years been extended or newly built.
They are therefore benefitting from the latest state-of-the-art facilities.
Exeter has a high number of great schools which Ofsted have deemed to be “outstanding”.
These include the Exwick Heights Primary School, Ide Primary School and St Leonard’s (CofE) Primary School.
Among some of the city’s most eminent secondaries are The Maynard School, Exeter School and Magdalen Court School.
Children with special needs can attend the “outstanding” Local Authority-funded special school Ellen Tinkham School, for children and young people aged 3-19 years, who have severe learning disabilities.
Private education is also an option for those in Exeter.
There are three very distinguished schools available, Exeter Cathedral School, Exeter School and CMAS School Devon.
Living in Exeter really appeals when it comes to education provision for older students.
Specialising in Mathematics, Exeter College is currently the highest-ranked in the country.
Mainly based around a campus at Hele Road, there are several other sites dotted around the city as well.
Approximately 12,000 students attend the college.
This includes both sixteen to eighteen-year-olds and mature students.
Higher education is of the topmost quality too, the most prominent provider is the University of Exeter (UOE).
The Uni is in the top 1% of leading world universities and is the UK’s 25th fastest-growing organisation.
Being one of the best in the UK, UOE offers a vast curriculum, encouraging over 20,000 students from across the globe to move to Exeter every year.
Transport Links in Exeter
Exeter St Davids Station. Image credit: Wikipedia
Even though Exeter isn’t at the centre of everything, it is remarkably well-connected.
As a result of its proximity to the M5, it is particularly convenient to visit other places.
In addition, if you wish to visit London, you can do so in less than three hours!
Featuring three busy and well-functioning railway stations, the city offers a variety of regular departures.
Paignton, Exmouth, Barnstaple, and Okehampton are all serviced by Exeter, which is considered the main rail hub in the south-west.
Links to towns and cities much further away are also provided by other services.
On the outskirts of Exeter, you will find Exeter International Airport (EXT).
Voted in recent years as the ‘happiest’ airport in regards to customer satisfaction.
A million passengers travel through the airport each year to destinations all over the world.
Shopping in Exeter
Exeter is a great city for those who enjoy a spot of shopping, bustling with a vibrant retail scene for its residents.
The heart of the city’s shopping area is largely pedestrianised and hosts a range of familiar brands such as John Lewis, Boots, House of Fraser, Marks & Spencer, and Monsoon, among others.
For those in search of something unique, Exeter’s Quayside offers a selection of intriguing independent shops.
This much-loved riverside spot doesn’t just offer shopping; it’s also home to a diverse array of eateries.
Central to Exeter’s charm is the Cathedral Quarter, where the magnificent 800-year-old Cathedral stands.
Surrounding the spacious Cathedral Green, you’ll find quaint independent stores, offering items that are as unique as the historic and picturesque setting they’re in.
Shoppers also have two large malls at their disposal for browsing or enjoying a catch-up with friends.
The Guildhall Shopping & Dining Centre seamlessly blends contemporary shopping experiences with classic architecture, showcasing a façade on Queen Street designed by the same architect responsible for London’s Covent Garden.
The Princesshay Shopping Centre, a recipient of numerous awards, features 65 stores including top high street names, alongside a variety of specialised boutiques and independent shops.
This centre also boasts an excellent selection of cafés and restaurants, making it a perfect spot for a leisurely day out.
Working in Exeter
There are plenty of job opportunities in Exeter. Image credit: Unsplash
In the late 19th century, Exeter was a thriving centre for the wool trade.
However, by the end of the 20th century, the wool trade, along with other agricultural sectors, began to decline.
Today, the health and social work sector represents 18% of all employment in the city, while around 17% of the workforce is engaged in the retail industry.
Over 35,000 individuals commute to Exeter daily to work in these key sectors.
Another growing area of employment is the digital tech industry, which has seen rapid expansion in recent years.
This sector has recorded the highest growth rate in the UK, with an increase of approximately 170%.
Exeter is home to around 5,000 companies, ranging from small enterprises with fewer than ten staff members to larger organisations such as the Met Office and Devon County Council, which together provide over 3,900 jobs in the region.
Flybe, Europe’s largest regional airline, is another significant employer in the city.
Other prominent companies in Exeter offering employment opportunities include Fargo Systems, EDF Energy, Altitude Investments, Balfour Beatty Civil Engineering, and Altitude Investments, contributing to the city’s diverse job market.
Clearly, there are plenty of great job opportunities for those who call Exeter home.
Green Spaces
Moving to Exeter provides locals with some excellent outdoor activities.
If you are thinking of moving to the city this is the section for you.
Being a resident of Devon ensures you are never too far away from the great outdoors!
There are truly some excellent options in the area.
If you enjoy a spot of exploring, Dartmoor National Park is the place to be.
Around a 20-minute drive from the city, Dartmoor is a wonderful location for long and sometimes damp walks!
For a more relaxing local stroll, residents are spoilt for choice.
Nearby Haldon Hill is a great spot for residents of all ages.
This location is great for getting some fresh air.
Families are well provided for at Haldon Hill.
With some excellent marked paths, rope courses and even a bike trail!
Residents have the opportunity to hire mountain bikes at Haldon Hill.
You are sure to enjoy an afternoon out enjoy this great location.
The beauty of life in Exeter is that you have it all!
Not only do locals have access to great walks, but the beach is also right on your doorstep.
There are several excellent beaches in the area.
These include Exmouth, Torquay and Dawlish.
All of these locations offer all the best seaside attractions including amusements arcades and mini-golf as well as lovely beaches.
Clearly, moving to Exeter means there is never a dull moment!
Ready to Start Living in Exeter?
White & Company Truck
Have you made the decision to start living in Exeter?
With so much to offer, a move to Exeter is sure to appeal to all!
The city offers potential residents a range of great property types, some outstanding things to do, top quality schools as well as some surprisingly good transport connections across the UK.
If you are thinking of moving to Exeter and have found you’re the perfect property, we are here to help you get moving.
You can start planning your move with the assistance of our Exeter Removals service from White & Company today.
White & Company are also happy to offer our new video survey service.
During these unprecedented times, we can safely conduct remote removals surveys.
We can gather all the relevant information for your move from the comfort of your own home.
So, give us a call today or fill out a quick quote form to see how we can get your dream move to Exeter in the works.
Max is a seasoned writer and blogger in the real estate and home moving sectors, as well as a knowledgeable source of information for expatriates living and working abroad. His detailed insights have helped thousands of people move and live abroad with greater simplicity and ease.
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