Cornwall

<p>Hi Gill, I&#8217;m sorry to hear about your experience. We are probably in a different part of Cornwall but moved down four and a half years ago and have had the opposite reception. People here are friendly, relaxed and have life well in perspective. A great sense of community for our kids too. But of course every experience is so different and maybe it varies from pace to place. I hope you are well settled and happy in your new home. Very best wishes for 2018. Sophie</p>


<p>We have just come back to Manchester after living in Cornwall for 3 1/2 years , beautiful place ect ect BUT if your not Cornish you will NEVER fit in !!!!</p>


<p>Great article.  That coral jacket looks amazing on you Jayne! xxx</p>


<p>Jayne is amazingly knowledgable about the housing market in Cornwall. What she doesn&#8217;t know really isn&#8217;t worth knowing!  I would recommend spending at least one long weekend with her and also perhaps doing a familiarisation tour or two to see the best of the locality. Worth every penny!</p>


<p>No mention of South East Cornwall, pretty coastal and country properties within reasonable reach of  Plymouth. Known as the Forgotten Corner of Cornwall&#8230;</p>



<p>Thinking of moving to Cornwall? There’s the sea, the landscape, the laidback lifestyle but can doing real life in Cornwall ever live up to the dream? You need these top tips from somehow who knows the drill.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2024/05/Black-Brick-Property-Solutions-May-2024-Muddy-Stilettos-Cornwall-4F0A1727-Edit-1000x667.jpg" alt="Anna Sharp Black Brick Property Solutions May 2024 Muddy Stilettos Cornwall" class="wp-image-33713" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2024/05/Black-Brick-Property-Solutions-May-2024-Muddy-Stilettos-Cornwall-4F0A1727-Edit-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2024/05/Black-Brick-Property-Solutions-May-2024-Muddy-Stilettos-Cornwall-4F0A1727-Edit-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2024/05/Black-Brick-Property-Solutions-May-2024-Muddy-Stilettos-Cornwall-4F0A1727-Edit-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2024/05/Black-Brick-Property-Solutions-May-2024-Muddy-Stilettos-Cornwall-4F0A1727-Edit-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2024/05/Black-Brick-Property-Solutions-May-2024-Muddy-Stilettos-Cornwall-4F0A1727-Edit.jpg 2000w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Someone who knows the journey better than most is Anna Sharp of <a href="https://www.black-brick.com/country/buying-agent-cornwall/">Black Brick Property Solutions</a>, an independent, professional and highly experienced agency with over 10 years experience in the south west market.</p>



<p>So, here are top tips for anyone thinking of heading west and moving to Cornwall.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-1-think-about-your-lifestyle-when-planning-a-move-to-cornwall">1) Think about your lifestyle when planning a move to Cornwall</h2>



<p>Paint a mental picture of your new life, so you are really clear. What are your wants and needs? Why are you moving and what will you do with your time? Do you want to spend a lot of time in the car driving to the supermarket and the gym with the pay-off that the view is uninterrupted?</p>



<p>Is it quiet, are you sitting in the garden with a book,&nbsp;will you stroll to the pub for a pint and some live music later? Do the kids go to a little village school? Will surfing or sailing be part of your life? Can you walk to a calm swimming spot?</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2018/06/falmouth.jpg" alt="falmouth harbour Cornwall UK" class="wp-image-23683" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2018/06/falmouth.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2018/06/falmouth-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2018/06/falmouth-720x480.jpg 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2018/06/falmouth-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Falmouth</figcaption></figure>



<p>Or do you want to be in amongst&nbsp;a bustling harbour town like Falmouth or pretty countryside village like St Kew? &nbsp;Do you want a sense of community or are you happier being out in the countryside with no nearby neighbours?</p>



<p>The more you can imagine what your new life looks like, the easier finding your perfect spot will be.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-2-consider-work-carefully-staying-connected">2) Consider work carefully / staying connected</h2>



<p>If you need to work, ensure you either have a job to come to or enough spare money in the bank to see you through the first year. Salaries tend to be less than up country and work can often be seasonal, or outside.</p>



<p>Having said that, there are many thriving industries in Cornwall and people tend to be really entrepreneurial down here. Although there has been a return to office working, big businesses are continuing to embrace a hybrid work situation where several days from home is do-able.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="563" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2024/06/Map-Cornwall-1000x563.jpeg" alt="Map Cornwall with a pin in Newquay" class="wp-image-33942" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2024/06/Map-Cornwall-1000x563.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2024/06/Map-Cornwall-800x450.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2024/06/Map-Cornwall-768x432.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2024/06/Map-Cornwall-1536x864.jpeg 1536w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2024/06/Map-Cornwall-2048x1152.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>With the Paddington-Penzance train, Gatwick-Newquay flights and the updated A30 arterial road, it is possible to keep your finger on the pulse at the office by working two or three days in the city. So many people down here do just that.</p>



<p>If you work remotely you’re going to need a fast Internet connection. Most places in Cornwall are surprisingly good but if you land in a dead zone it could be a nightmare. Local internet provider Wildanet is rolling out new infrastructure and there is 5G capability right across the Duchy, but still worth bearing in mind especially if you prefer to live rurally.</p>



<p>If working from home alone full-time seems a bit lonely, look into Cornwall&#8217;s shared work and creative spaces, like <a href="https://www.oldbakerystudios.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Old Bakery Studios</a> in Truro and <a href="https://www.krowji.org.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Krowji</a> in Redruth. Options in Newquay include Newquay Orchard, C-Space, Pentire House and <a href="https://www.watergatebay.co.uk/coworking/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Hangar</a>. Down in Falmouth there is Fastnet House alongside the latest WorkShop café deli and workspaces in Penryn, and in Truro there&#8217;s also new co-working spaces <a href="https://www.12lemonstreet.co.uk/">12 Lemon Street</a> and <a href="https://coinagehouse.co.uk/">Coinage House</a> on Princes Street.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-3-can-you-manage-the-weather-in-cornwall">3) Can you manage the weather in Cornwall?</h2>



<p>The weather is its own topic! If you&#8217;ve only ever been to Cornwall in the summer you&#8217;ll know that it&#8217;s hardly reliable, but sometimes it can feel like it starts raining in November and doesn&#8217;t cheer up properly until May. Let&#8217;s just say you&#8217;ll need to invest in a decent waterproof. </p>



<p>The rainiest part of the Duchy is said to be around Bodmin Moor, which helps produced localised rain and lots of it, but the reality is that everywhere in Cornwall usually sees a lot, as Cornwall is one of the rainiest places in the UK with an average rainfall of around 1500mm a year. The reality is there&#8217;s not as much to do inside as other parts of the country (you&#8217;ll need to go to Plymouth for a shopping mall, for example) and the sideways rain is legendary. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-4-is-community-important-to-you">4) Is community important to you?</h2>



<p>Your dream holiday destination may not be the perfect place to live full-time. Is there community and amenities out of season? Who lives there permanently? Are they people you&#8217;re likely to make friends and find things in common with?</p>



<p>Consider visiting out of season to see for yourself,&nbsp;as many seaside towns still do shut down somewhat in the winter and there is nothing more bleak than rain and shut shops.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-5-seek-out-up-and-coming-areas-nbsp-the-ripple-effect-when-looking-to-buy-a-house-in-cornwall">5) Seek out up-and-coming areas&nbsp;(the ripple effect) when looking to buy a house in Cornwall</h2>



<p>Some of the most popular Cornish holiday destinations have become prohibitively expensive but the outskirts and nearby villages are still accessible and offer much of the same appeal. If you like St Ives, consider <a href="https://cornwall.muddystilettos.co.uk/best-places-to-live/cornwall/best-places-to-live-hayle/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hayle</a>, or even other harbour towns like <a href="https://cornwall.muddystilettos.co.uk/best-places-to-live/cornwall/best-places-to-live-newquay/">Newquay</a> or <a href="https://cornwall.muddystilettos.co.uk/best-places-to-live/cornwall/bude/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bude</a>; if you love Rock and Padstow, look at Porth.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2022/01/nick-russill-nHNM1TnM_uM-unsplash.jpeg" alt="Bude from the air, Cornwall UK" class="wp-image-25625" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2022/01/nick-russill-nHNM1TnM_uM-unsplash.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2022/01/nick-russill-nHNM1TnM_uM-unsplash-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2022/01/nick-russill-nHNM1TnM_uM-unsplash-720x480.jpeg 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2022/01/nick-russill-nHNM1TnM_uM-unsplash-768x511.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2022/01/nick-russill-nHNM1TnM_uM-unsplash-788x525.jpeg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Bude</figcaption></figure>



<p>By picking areas less popular with tourists you&#8217;re more likely to find communities. The south coast near St Austell is worth checking out, as is Bodmin. Neither have had the best reputation locally (St Austell and the surrounding area has the largest concentrated population in Cornwall) but there&#8217;s more affordable housing and decent state schools. Slightly more costly, but if you&#8217;ve a bigger budget, the towns of <a href="https://cornwall.muddystilettos.co.uk/best-places-to-live/cornwall/wadebridge/">Wadebridge</a> and <a href="https://cornwall.muddystilettos.co.uk/best-places-to-live/cornwall/penzance/">Penzance</a> are proximate to lovely coastline but have permanent year-round communities.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-6-are-you-buying-a-holiday-home-in-cornwall-or-your-nbsp-forever-home">6) Are you buying a holiday home in Cornwall,  or your&nbsp;forever home?</h2>



<p>If it&#8217;s a holiday home you&#8217;re looking for but you plan to move down eventually, don&#8217;t try to buy something that works in both scenarios. For example, you may want a big garden in your forever home but in your holiday home, a large garden requires lots of maintenance you won&#8217;t be here to do.</p>



<p>You can either sell your holiday home and add the value to your permanent home or keep it for income in your retirement.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="668" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2024/05/Black-Brick-Property-Solutions-May-2024-Muddy-Stilettos-Cornwall-eathorne-farm-50-1-1000x668.jpg" alt="house in cornwall lit at night Anna Sharp and Rupert Stephenson Black Brick Property Solutions May 2024 Muddy Stilettos Cornwall" class="wp-image-33714" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2024/05/Black-Brick-Property-Solutions-May-2024-Muddy-Stilettos-Cornwall-eathorne-farm-50-1-1000x668.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2024/05/Black-Brick-Property-Solutions-May-2024-Muddy-Stilettos-Cornwall-eathorne-farm-50-1-800x534.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2024/05/Black-Brick-Property-Solutions-May-2024-Muddy-Stilettos-Cornwall-eathorne-farm-50-1-768x513.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2024/05/Black-Brick-Property-Solutions-May-2024-Muddy-Stilettos-Cornwall-eathorne-farm-50-1-1536x1025.jpg 1536w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2024/05/Black-Brick-Property-Solutions-May-2024-Muddy-Stilettos-Cornwall-eathorne-farm-50-1.jpg 2000w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-7-how-remote-is-too-remote">7) How remote is too remote?</h2>



<p>A quaint Cornish village may seem like bliss but being near amenities is likely to make your life very much easier. Luckily you can have both if you look carefully. A beautiful property I recently found for a young family relocating in Constantine works well as you are only 15 minutes from Falmouth or Helston but with the benefit of the Helford River on your doorstep.&nbsp;</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="668" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2020/10/river-helford.png" alt="river helford" class="wp-image-20834" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2020/10/river-helford.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2020/10/river-helford-300x200.png 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2020/10/river-helford-720x481.png 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2020/10/river-helford-768x513.png 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2020/10/river-helford-786x525.png 786w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Helford River</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">8) Do you need a school nearby?</h2>



<p>If you&#8217;ve little ones, this is crucial, particularly if your child/ren require special provision or are particularly talented at something, or just if you&#8217;ve strong feelings over class sizes, or want private education. Check out our <a href="https://muddystilettos.co.uk/school-reviews/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Schools Guide</a> for private options, but they are essentially based in <a href="https://cornwall.muddystilettos.co.uk/best-places-to-live/cornwall/truro/">Truro</a>, Launceston and <a href="https://cornwall.muddystilettos.co.uk/best-places-to-live/cornwall/best-places-to-live-hayle/">Hayle</a>. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2021/11/Truro-School-7.jpg" alt="Truro School" class="wp-image-24926" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2021/11/Truro-School-7.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2021/11/Truro-School-7-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2021/11/Truro-School-7-720x480.jpg 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2021/11/Truro-School-7-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2021/11/Truro-School-7-787x525.jpg 787w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><a href="https://cornwall.muddystilettos.co.uk/kids/school-reviews/truro-school/">Truro School</a></figcaption></figure>



<p>Village schools tend to be tiny with multiple year groups to a class (which suits some people very well, others not so much) and the well-rated schools can be oversubscribed. Often there is only one state secondary per area, with pupils travelling in from all around the local area on buses, so again, something to consider carefully when you&#8217;re honing in on a particular area, especially if you think you might end up having to drive them in. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-9-anticipate-lots-of-guests">9) Anticipate lots of guests!</h2>



<p>If you have lots of friends and family up country, they will no doubt be looking forward to weekends in Cornwall once you move. Of course, you could send them up the road to the nearest B&amp;B but if you like to host, consider the space you will need for a few extra bodies in the house. A spare room or two and a sociable dining space for example will be handy, so factor that in when considering what size house you&#8217;re searching for.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-10-get-some-expert-help-with-your-move-to-cornwall">10) Get some expert help with your move to Cornwall</h2>



<p>Despite popular belief, you really cannot buy a house sitting at your kitchen table with a glass of wine! &nbsp;You would think it would be easy nowadays with the Internet and all the property portals but the opposite is true and it is completely overwhelming for many of us. Working with a property search agent can save so much time and stress.</p>



<p>We’re here to work for the buyer, offering objective and trustworthy advice helping you navigate the Cornish property market. From growing up on the south coast of Cornwall Anna knows the housing market like the back of her hand. She understands the complexes of it, she offers a professional and highly experienced service.&nbsp;</p>



<p><strong><em>For help with your move or to make an enquiry, call Anna Sharp at <a href="https://www.black-brick.com/country/buying-agent-cornwall/">Black Brick Property Solutions</a> on 07415614041 or email her at <a href="mailto:anna.sharp@black-brick.com">anna.sharp@black-brick.com</a>.</em></strong></p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2024/05/Black-Brick-Property-Solutions-May-2024-Muddy-Stilettos-Cornwall-IMG_0186-1000x667.jpg" alt="Anna Sharp and Rupert Stephenson Black Brick Property Solutions May 2024 Muddy Stilettos Cornwall" class="wp-image-33716" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2024/05/Black-Brick-Property-Solutions-May-2024-Muddy-Stilettos-Cornwall-IMG_0186-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2024/05/Black-Brick-Property-Solutions-May-2024-Muddy-Stilettos-Cornwall-IMG_0186-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2024/05/Black-Brick-Property-Solutions-May-2024-Muddy-Stilettos-Cornwall-IMG_0186-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2024/05/Black-Brick-Property-Solutions-May-2024-Muddy-Stilettos-Cornwall-IMG_0186-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2024/05/Black-Brick-Property-Solutions-May-2024-Muddy-Stilettos-Cornwall-IMG_0186.jpg 2000w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>


Moving to Cornwall? Top Tips From A Pro

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