One of the best things about my blog is having people reach out to me with questions about moving to Cornwall.
I love hearing from city-dwellers and coast-dreamers wondering how best to go about moving or asking if I have any advice on the matter, and it makes me so happy that people find my little internet space useful for learning the low-down on all things Cornish!
So I thought I’d write a bit of an FAQ post with some of my tips and thoughts for anyone stumbling across this blog whilst trying to find out more about living and moving to Cornwall…
Q: Is it really possible to have the dream lifestyle in Cornwall?
I get it; the Cornish lifestyle is so hyped up by everyone, you’ve gotta wonder if it’s all too good to be true! But I can tell you from firsthand observance and experience that yes, people actually do fit in an early morning surf before work, we do head to the beach once it hits 5pm, and we do spend our weekends exploring the countryside and having adventures in the sea. It’s not a myth – it’s our real life I promise!
Q: Where is best to live in Cornwall?
It totally depends what you want from your life, and also what your budget is! First off, there’s the decision between North and South Cornwall, North or South coast, and whether you want to live in a town or out in the sticks.
Obviously we all would love to live in walking distance to the sea, but you’ll pay a hefty price tag for that. There are lots of holiday lets and second homes in Cornwall, many of which have bagged the best views and beachside locations, and many of which are unfortunately left vacant for half the year. Sad but true!
I can’t speak for North Cornwall (I never do… I really don’t know it well up there!), but in South Cornwall, some of the nicest (and most expensive!) places to live include Falmouth, Truro, The Roseland, The Lizard, St. Ives and St. Agnes areas. The cheapest less-sought after areas tend to be around Redruth (hi!), Camborne and St. Austell.
And then there are the sweet spot areas and upcoming places on the market right now, such as Hayle (beautiful beaches!) and the outskirts of Helston and Penzance. Sarah from Salt & Sea Stories always writes and photographs areas around Penzance and Helston on her blog, and she will totally make you fall in love with the place!
Q: Will it be worth leaving my family and friends for?
No one can tell you the answer to this, but if you’re bringing a young family (or plans for one!) with you then I always say there is no better place. Of course, I have no comparison and I am biased, but I truly had the best childhood here and some day I’d love to raise my children here too. Chloe from Life Unexpected writes a lot about family life and exploring Cornwall with children on her blog!
If you’re leaving friends and extended family of course it will be hard, but let’s face it, everyone will want to come and visit you lots in stunning Cornwall anyway!
Read more about why I love living in Cornwall.
Q: Who can help make my dream become a reality in moving to Cornwall?
Joanna Ireland from Relocate to Cornwall helps people find their dream home in Cornwall. She is a property buying agent and therefore searches for, views, and sees the purchase through to completion. She has a wealth of knowledge being a Chartered Surveyor and being Cornish herself. Please do get in touch with her if you would like to find a home in Cornwall, contact details below.
Q: How will I make friends when I don’t know anyone?
When I moved back to Cornwall after I quit University, I had no friends here as I’d either lost touch with them or they’d moved away for their uni journeys. Of course, depending on where you work you can make friends there, but if you work from home like me it can be difficult to socialise!
I wrote some tips on how to make friends when you work from home before, but my main tip is to meet people through your hobbies. You can join clubs, from surfing and rowing to gaming and foraging, take vocational classes (pottery anyone?) or meet people in Facebook groups. That last one sounds random, but we’ve made lots of friends through our participation in local French Bulldog groups!
My main source of friendship over the last year has been blogging; I’ve met some incredible people and made really close friendships just through reaching out to people who I knew had the same hobby as me, and asking to meet up!
Q: Will Cornish locals be bitter about me being here?
Some will; but that will be the same anywhere you go. Some people just don’t like change or ‘outsiders’, but there are ways you can negate that risk by getting involved in the community and not behaving like an outsider. You can follow my ‘Cornish Rules for Holiday Makers’ or read my post about visiting Cornwall sustainably too.
Of course there are common decencies like being considerate to your neighbours and respecting the countryside etc, but through joining local clubs and supporting local businesses you can really start to become a part of it all.
Q: Will I miss the big city?
Unless you seriously hate it, probably yes. You’ll miss having easy access to a huge variety shops that stay open late (even on Sundays!), and you’ll miss the chain restaurants and shops that you take for granted but that don’t make it down to Cornwall. You’ll miss being able to have a cocktail on a roof terrace at 2pm because you can’t just get the train back to your flat, you have to drive, and you’ll miss how cheap taxis are when you accidentally drink that cocktail.
For some people, the slow life is just too slow, and the lazy towns and lack of nightlife feel wrong. But let me say that it is rare that people move down here from the city and regret it – very rare. For most people, it’s exactly what they needed all along.
Q: What is the job market in Cornwall like?
If you happen to be interested in working in hospitality, Cornwall is a pretty good shout as it’s a huge part of our economy and there are always jobs about for that!
Cornwall is also known for being a bit of a tech hub too! If you’re in the software/engineering/technology industries you’re in luck because this is a big upcoming area here in terms of jobs and training.
Anyway, I can’t comment on the job market too much though, as I’m self-employed so am ‘out of the game’, as it were!
I hope some of these were useful! If you have any other questions comment below :)
(All photos taken at Wheal Coates, St Agnes, in case you’re wondering!)
Follow me on Instagram (@annac42) for more Cornwall tips & adventures!
Gorgeous photos and a big shout out to the loveliest group of Cornish bloggers imaginable! :D Soooooooon I really hope to be able to say I officially live in Cornwall again! Alice xxx
http://www.woodenwindowsills.co.uk
Yay so exciting! :D xx
That is exciting!
My sisters live in Cornwall.i want to rent a place ie. Flat or a bungalow to live in so and with my to only sisters. I live in nottingham. I travel to to see them twice a week ²
I really lived the dream life in Cornwall – for sure. And now I feel like I am living the dream life in Canada – it really is about location!
I work in the medical field and would love to move to Cornwall…jobs??
Its been a different story for me and my mum. We are both from west london (a nice part) and have found the transition very hard :(. As beautiful as Cornwall is and we are lucky to be near the sea…we have both found it quite depressing and isolating. Finding friends has been really difficult alot of people here are clicky. We are in Newquay. Im a very sociable person but have not found 1 person i would call a friend and been here 2 years! When i go back to london people seem to befriend you more. Now people down south aee more polite and friendly, but as to making friends ive found it very hard. Ive been to uni here, worked and even been to the school gates, mother and toddler groups etc but zero friends :(. Im a chatty sociable character and an get along with anyone..i think being from london it makes you like that. Now im seriously considering moving back to london with my mum as we are both depressed. Such a shame as i do love it here but im bored and so isolated x
Hi Josephine, I am looking at moving to newquay, any recommendations as to best place to live/work? I would be so grateful for your input 😊. X
That’s such a shame to hear that you are not happy with your move to Cornwall. Myself and my family have been trying to relocate to Cornwall for years we love it there and have friends already there, I am a council tenant and unfortunately not in a position to buy a property due to finances and age.
I have been looking for private rental and even residential caravan parks, it’s been a long frustrating process, when I’m reading your post and the desperation to comeback to London, it is very much the same for me to get to Cornwall.
If you have any information that may help or know of any way of finding accommodation I would be grateful for the advice, I would be more than happy to swap place with you
Oh really l was thinking of moving down to Cornwall with my son but listen to what u have written I’m scared! My Mobil if u can please have chat to be ld be grateful 07814069787
Very nice post you have shared over here regarding relocating FAQs to Cornwall. I hope I visit over there one day.
San Francisco Movers
Very nice post you have shared over here regarding relocating FAQs to Cornwall. I hope I visit over there one day.
San Francisco Movers
Hi!
Looking for help / tips any advice really. My husband and I got married in Cornwall and go there as often as we can. We currently live in Wolverhampton (West Mids) and plan to relocate in the next year or so.
We’re thinking St Austell might be best to begin with due to more jobs and housing.
Anyone that’s moved please message me I need help as I don’t know anyone who’s moved so far away with no friends or family.
Hi Beth,
I grew up in Cornwall, then lived away for about 8 years, moved back for about 10 years, now living in Dubai and moving back again to Cornwall In August. It’s never easy moving away from friends and family and to somewhere quite far away to set up your life again. I personally think that the St. Austell area is quite a good decision because it’s a big town, is very central in Cornwall and has quite a bit to do around that area and has nice coastal places nearby. Also, house prices are definitely more reasonable than other areas. Making good friends in Cornwall isn’t easy unless you make the effort to join clubs and associations. I think people often feel disappointed when they find it hard to meet people and make new friends but that is the same everywhere these days because everyone is so busy with hectic lives. I would also say that some Cornish people can be very unreliable and will easily let you down but I guess these people exist everywhere!
Hi.
I am looking at relocating to Cornwall. I’m nearly 50 (but quite a young one 😉) and looking for a new chapter in my life. I live in a very rural area in Norfolk with no nearby amenities and am looking for a lively town feel with plenty of things to do, like pottery classes, yoga, rambling groups etc. I also need to be near a beach. I’m looking for that cafe culture vibe. I won’t know anybody but hopefully can make new friends through hobbies etc. Looking for work in maybe a cafe/independent shop etc.
Any advice on the best place to look at will be very much appreciated.
Thanks
Tracy 😊
How exciting! Falmouth or Penryn sound like they could be great options for you – both lively with loads of creatives, artists and courses to go on. Plus there’s a beautiful beach in Falmouth!
Hi Anna.
Thanks for taking the time to reply. I’ve booked a few days and coming to Cornwall in a couple of weeks to have a look around and see what places I like. I’m super excited but it’s also very scary. Obviously the main thing is will I meet people to make friends with? I guess that’s the scariest thing.
Thank you for your reccomandations. I am also going to look at St Austell too.. Where are you based? 😊
Hi I’m not the person you actually wanted to reply but I moved to Cornwall When I was seven from Bristol and I don’t remember much about making friends because it’s a lot easier when you go to school. People aren’t always friendly but you just have to get yourself involved join clubs like some art stuff. I’ve never lived near the coast I live North Cornwall towards the centre in Bodmin personally I wouldn’t recommend it even though it has good schools
Hi Tracey,
I’m also from Norfolk and me and my husband have been planning to move to Cornwall for the last couple of years 😁🤞
We are hoping 2021 is the year we do it (job dependent)
I see your post was last year, just wondering how your plans are coming along?
We are off to Cornwall in a couple of weeks to do more exploring of different area’s xx
Debbie x
It’s beena dream of mine to live in Cornwall since I was a teenager. I hope to visit by next spring and hopefully, someday make the jump.
Hi,
Me and my partner have been living in London for 8 years and we would like to start a new life in Cornwall, he’s got a job offer in Redruth and they’re willing to wait for him, but we don’t know how to do all the renting process being so far from the area, and also, we have a cat which makes the search even more difficult…
Anyone who can tell me their experience? How did you sort the renting issue out?
Any advise will be helpful.
Thank you
Beatriz
Hi Beatriz Would be great to hear if you made it, my older brother has a job offer in Redruth and we are struggling to organise rentals etc, we are moving down from North Yorkshire… Hope you made it and would be great to hear how you got on! Ingles
I would like to relocate to Cornwall. Ive been looking on the internet and there are so many regions I like. I think the best thing for me to do is take a big road trip to get the feel of a place I like. But if you have any suggestions I would love to hear.
Im 55 and active. I like the idea of being close to a town/village particularly if it has a farmers market. I am an artist. I like quirky. Bit of a hippie. Love a good local pub. I am a foodie. I do Yoga and walk a lot. I like music particularly live music. Would love to do some volunteering and be part of a community.
Any suggestions…thank you
Georgina
Hi!
We are looking at moving to Cornwall too!
My husband would be at the hospital so we would be looking at areas near there. I wondered if anyone could recommend areas/areas to avoid and schools, one of our children is just a couple of years away from secondary school so would be wanting to be in the catchment area of a good one.
Any advice would be much appreciated! Thanks x
Hello everyone. We are moving to Foxhole in three weeks time. We are both in our sixties and this has been a dream of ours for many years. Having lived in the South East all our lives we wanted somewhere more laid back and healthier to live. We are so excited to be coming to such a beautiful place. We like to keep ourselves to ourselves but are not unfriendly people. I would like to get a part time job in a plant nursery if possible. I hope that we can live the final phase of our lives in peace and beauty. See you soon
Annette and Lester
We have always thought about moving to Cornwall, Perranporth in particular as we holiday there two or three times a year, but have always worried about timing for the children. It’s now a SERIOUS consideration, with the aim to be there for the start of the school year September 2020. Our eldest would then be starting year 9 and youngest year 5. It’s the boys that are our biggest concern. We want to move for a better life for them. What have we probably not thought about do you think? Schools and sports clubs I’ve covered, missing friends I’ve thought about too.
Hi everyone please can someone help me out me and my hubby have a chance of moving to Cornwall Redruff pond lane please can anyone tell me what the area is like ive heard not goodthings to be honest about trouble and certain areas not good at all we are coming from manchester had enough of manchester have wanted to move to cornwall for many years kids have flown the nest now also my hubby self employed joiner how is work situation there obviously he will be hoping to find work a,s,a,p when we get there i so much want to make the move but feel really scared incase it doesnt work out
HI,
Haven’t seen anyone mention Newquay as a place to live.
I’ve read some scary posts elsewhere about the bar scene and nightlife — sounds like a horror movie — but those are from several years ago.
I also read media stories that say the town has really gotten its act together.
Would love impressions about Newquay if one is to reside there.
If you work in Newquay, is there a more charming town to commute from?
Thanks very much.
I have a post with lots of quotes from people living in different places in Cornwall, including Newquay, here :)
https://thecornishlife.co.uk/what-its-like-to-live-in-different-areas-of-cornwall/
Thank you for those FAQs on moving to Cornwall. I used to live there but left after a break up. However 10 years later and maybe a midlife crisis but I have decided I want to move back on my own!! I loved living there and have been going every year for over 30 years now. Can’t do anymore than research right now but looking at rental properties and work opportunities (teaching assistant) whilst I have all this free time. I used to love the much slower pace of life that always felt like I was on holiday even though I worked full time. Sunny evenings and weekends on the beach and not minding when all the tourists descended as I was secretly pleased that I could stay, knowing that they would have to leave after their holiday! Fingers crossed I can do this. x
Hi Julia,
It was just by chance I stumbled across this blog as I was just talking to a friend who was doing their utmost to put me off moving to Cornwall. I live in outer London at the moment and have spent most of my life trying to leave it! I’ve also been going there for years and have an inexplicable pull towards it, like i’m going home although i’ve never lived there, maybe in a previous life?
My grandfather and grandmother are both at rest in a church in St Just-in-Roseland, don’t know if you know it but it’s so stunningly beautiful it doesn’t look real!
I’m also taking the plunge and moving there on my own, just me and the cat. It’s scary and exiting at the same time! Change of career, location, friends etc. Where did you live before and are looking to move now? I haven’t got my heart set on anywhere yet but tend to gravitate towards the south rather than north and like to avoid big towns. I tend to look at places from about Looe all the way to Penzance just in from the coast.
Ralph
Hi, I love reading about so many people wanting to move to Cornwall. That is exactly what my plans are to move and retire by the sea in Cornwall – though I still have to wait for eight years until I retire. Until then I travel to Cornwall once or twice a year to “research” as much as I can. I was born in Bournemouth, grew up in Austria, lived in Bristol and London, as well as in OZ and the USA as a grown-up. Have now been living and working in Austria by a lake for 25 years, which is nice (and also a similar situation with locals and people who moved here) but I love the sea more (maybe because I spent my childhood holidays at the beach in Bournemouth). Thankfully I won’t be depending on a job (as I’ll have my Austrian pension by then) but could imagine volunteering etc. My dream is to live in the dunes near Hayle – it strikes me as a hippy-like place and I can just picture myself there. Cornwall is such a magical place and it seems to me that a lot of people have moved there, so making the ratio locals:people who have moved there maybe 70 : 30? I can imagine it would be more difficult to befriend locals who have lived there for generations. But I can imagine there will be people in a similar situation like myself who it would be possible to get friendly with. I’d love to hear from somebody who has a similar plan or story. Andrea (a 50+ hippyish Anglo-Austrian)
I found a home in Redruth that I quite like but after reading this blog post, it seems like it’s the least favorite place to move to. Can someone answer why no one wants to live here? And is there any nearby towns that would be better?
Hi Leanne,
I’m by no means an expert on Cornwall but am about to move there as i’ve been looking for about two years (almost bought somewhere but it fell through at the last minute). In my opinion, and I stress my opinion, I aviod places like Redruth simply because one of the reasons I want to move to Cornwall is for it’s beauty and slower pace of life (I currently live in outer London) which is the opposite of what Redruth is destined to become if i’ve done my homework correctly.
Cornwall council I believe, along with the rest of the UK, have a duty to provide their fair share of new housing by 2030 and I think agreed 30,000 new homes. Before I consider buying anywhere, I always check the councils website to see what areas they are building on or planning to build on.
There are ambitious plans to expand Redruth and Cambourne I believe, which in time, ultimately means that those two places plus any other intermittent nearby villages will be swallowed up to make one city like Plymouth which is exactly what I personally am trying to leave behind me. There may be other reasons why that i’m not aware of but that’s my take on it.
I was almost caught out fairly recently when I found an ideal house with land and a river on it about half a mile from Liskeard. I asked the estate agents and the homeowner if there were any plans to expand Liskeard which they both said they didn’t think so and if they did, it would be on the other side. I went back and researched it to find they had both lied and there was planning permission already in place to expand Liskeard almost right up to the front door which the estate agent for one would have been aware of!
It depends what you want at the end of the day.
Good luck hunting ;-)
Someone who I cannot remember, or where I read it, once said ‘You can’t eat scenery’. I know now what it means.
I moved to Cornwall for 4 years after spending most of my life dreaming of it, forty plus years to be exact! The dreams and thoughts kept me going through many unhappy times during my life. It gave me hope, and something to aim towards, when I had almost no hope and hardly anything to aim for.
I had spent many happy holidays as a child for 2 weeks every year, in various beautiful parts of South and South West Cornwall. I have also had many holidays as an adult there, every year, at different times of the year. I found that I loved the winter as much as the summer, and springtime, with all its beautiful flowers everywhere, is utterly beautiful in Cornwall.
I did not want the tourist side of Cornwall. I wanted to live and experience it, on its worst of wild weather days and nights. I wanted barely any shops, and also barely any people surrounding me. I wanted to live simply among the countryside, and spend my days living surrounded by nature with fields, beaches, wildflowers, trees, birds and animals. I used to be so materialistic but after a huge breakdown 10 years ago, I changed and for the better.
My partner and I decided to look for a 6 month Winter Let, so that we could look for a house to buy or a long term rental. The 6 months passed quickly and after the winter let lease ended we were fortunate to secure a short term rental property, in South Cornwall. My partner continued to work in London, and returned as and when he could.
We have now sadly returned home.
Why did we return? It was simply due to the extorniate cost of property, both mortgaged and rental in Cornwall. We spent so much time looking for properties that we could afford, and also for rentals too.
Many properties were simply not worth the price, and were very average. The houses we did like were so hugely expensive, we would also have to be hugely wealthy to buy one.
There are properties in undesirable areas which were affordable, but who wants to move to Cornwall to live in such places. I could name those areas, but it is not fair to the people who have to live there, through no choice.
If a rental property did became available, so many people would apply, and the rental agents would then close the list very quickly for those wanting to view it.
I remember one agent telling me that for every one person who would get to view and lease a rental property, then there could be sixty or seventy interested applicants, maybe more, who unfortunately would be let down, by not being able to even get a viewing.
I have lived in many places and I have never encountered such a situation. I feel so sorry for those who are born and live in Cornwall How do they manage?
We have pets, clean, house trained, beautiful, sociable, friendly and well behaved ones. Every single rental property stated ‘STRICTLY No Pets’ or ‘No DOGS but possibly a Cat’, or ‘Possibly one small dog, but NO CATS’!!! I have found in my experience, it is people not pets, that cause the most mess, be it beach litter or an untidy and unclean house.
I miss the beautiful scenery and fresh air of where we lived, the country lanes, the ever changing weather patterns, the plants, trees, wildflowers, the brightness, the colours, and the whole uniqueness of Cornwall, that makes it such a special and magical place .
I miss the varied wildlife, and the countryside. I miss the stunning beaches, and the sea. I miss watching the waves. I miss the whole sights and sounds of it all. I never took a second of my 4 years in Cornwall for granted. I had to keep pinching myself that I was truly living there, after 40 years of wanting to be.
So we are now back where we lived prior to living in Cornwall. We have our own lovely house, jobs with good wages, and disposable income to spend. The areas surrounding where we live have plenty of jobs, and the wages are very good. House prices are reasonable and it is more than possible to get a beautiful house for a lot less than what it costs in Cornwall. I should be happy. I am not.
It is just not Cornwall and I am heartbroken.
I’m looking at moving to Cornwall, but have no idea where in Cornwall would suit me most, are you able to advise please? Thank you. Nikki.
We’re hoping to retire to Cornwall at the end of this year beginning of the next. We don’t want to be living in busy, thronging touristy areas but we don’t want to be isolated either. Ideally, we are looking for an area that has things going on – a bit like a market town but not overrun with holidaymakers. We’d like to be able to get to the sea sometimes but necessarily really close. Do any areas spring to mind that may help us find a place to live?
I have wanted to move to Cornwall from US for many years. I teach aqua exercise and wonder if a job was there for me. It is so beautiful and I crave a simple life away from US mess.
My partner and I are approaching 80 but we still dream of living in Cornwall. We have holidayed there most
years since we were teenagers and absolutely love it, but now we are daunted by our age and the thought
of moving so far away from our family. We live in a lovely coastal village and it only takes 15 minutes to
walk to the sea, but it is suburbia by the sea. I am a country person and love the countryside as much as
the sea. This is why Cornwall is ideal place to live. Don’t be like us and leave it too late – just make up
your mind and go. We are sure you won’t regret it.