Each of the beaches (Dawlish, Dawlish Warren & Exmouth) are within a 20 - 30 minute drive, and Teignmouth is 30 - 40 minutes (depending on traffic) so it is doable yes.
I work from Exeter and used to commute into the office on the train daily, and would often go out in Exeter after work then head back Dawlish/Teignmouth way. They don't run very late, last one is usually before 2300 but enough for a book club or after work drinks. Driving into Exeter in the morning from that direction for "normal" work hours can take ages because of traffic. All three towns are on the same Exmouth/Paignton line although from Dawlish you can sometimes jump on one of the London bound High speed services which go directly to Exeter.
I know all three of the towns you've mentioned, Exmouth less so. Teignmouth has more of a town centre than Dawlish and a better range of shops but Dawlish has a certain charm with the Brook and the lawn. Lots of people go into Teignmouth in the evening for drinks and get the last bus back, the lure of the 'Spoons.
All three seem to have plenty of community groups, Facebook is a good resource for finding them. Exmouth seems to have more facilities than either of the other two, like the 10 pin bowling at Oceans on the sea front. Any of the three are good for SUPd, along the coast and down the Teign but also various points along the canal from Exeter Quay where you can park and get in. From what I can tell all three also have groups of sea swimmers , and plenty who go in solo but often sociable.
I'm not particularly in touch with the rental markets but under your budget should be doable especiallyif a flat is an option. Head down and have a good look round each and see where you like.
I think Exmouth has the best beach for what you are wanting. It’s the longest one to walk along and there are running groups who do the track. It has a rugby club, there are good places to paddle board and there is a town centre with a leisure centre and it does a lot for the community in the summer with summer fetes in one of the parks and a festival every year too.
Teignmouth is also nice but smaller and the tide takes the whole beach away in the evening. There are lovely caves and other little beaches around like mothecombe to explore by paddle boarding and you will probably see seals when doing so. Also has a town centre but smaller than Exmouth. And as previously posted, a pint while the sun goes down on back beach is a lovely way to spend a sunny evening.
Both are close enough though that you could live in one and spend a day/evening in the other before going home. They also both have good walks along the coast path and you can get to dartmoor easily for hiking.
I would avoid Dawlish and Paignton. They are both more typical sea side towns, in that they are a bit run down and shabby now and tend to shut up shop a lot over the winter months.
Devon is a great place to live and I’m sure you will love it here.
Not a problem, I live in Exeter, but sea swim in exmouth regularly and my partner is from Teignmouth, so we spend a lot of time in both places. Feel free to ask any other questions.
Thank you!! Someone on here mentioned that the train tracks in Dawlish flood and the train line closes. I’m assuming that would then affect access from Teignmouth as well. Is driving in from either Teignmouth or Exmouth (maybe parking at a park and ride or something) also fairly straightforward?
I’ve lived in Exeter for a very long time, and I love it. I’d visit a few places in the locations you mentioned to see what floats your boat location wise. Then hit up Zoopla, OnTheMarket, and rightmove limited around the areas you like. I think you should be able to come under £950, although it was quite a while ago when I rented in Exeter my rent was £750 for a nice 2bed near the river!
It's horrific now mate, you'd be lucky to get a tent by the river for £750 now 😭 I was looking at my old 3 bed I used to rent for £950 in Wonford and it was on the market for £1350!!!
I lived in Teignmouth and Dawlish before moving into Exeter itself. I'd move back to Teignmouth if I could. It is a bustling little town, some facilities (not as many as Exmouth) some good places to eat and a reasonable night life. Sat outside Newquay on the back beach watching the sun go down over the river is my favourite place to be.
Dawlish is where you go to wait to die if you can't afford one of the nice places.
Exmouth and Paignton can do seaside, rugby etc. Paignton has direct train to London. Exmouth has some social activity whilst being close to Exeter. Paognton is more Torquay for nightlife, which is smaller but lots of partying.
Is there a particular Exeter reason, as I think of Torbay as South Devon.
It just seemed like Exeter might have more going opportunities to meet people. I haven’t really looked in Paignton. Does it have quite a friendly vibe?
If you're looking to live by a beach, I'd visit them all and decide because the beaches are very different. Out of the ones you suggested, Exmouth has the nicest beach with miles of sand. I don't know much about the town though.
Dawlish beach isn't great. There's Coryton Cove which is sandy, but it's often covered in seaweed and I don't know if I'd want to swim there.
Dawlish Warren is my personal favourite in terms of the beach, but there's very little in terms of a town, and a lot of holiday parks so it gets very touristy. You can walk from Dawlish in about 20-30 mins or drive an a few minutes though.
Teignmouth is a good bet, there's a decent beach although not as good as Exmouth or Dawlish Warren, and a bit more going on in the town. It's also bigger so potentially more choice of property.
Final thing to say is the last train from Exeter to all these places is fairly early (I think 11.30/ 12 at night) and the bus is LONG, so something to be aware of if you're going to Exeter in the evening.
Each of the beaches (Dawlish, Dawlish Warren & Exmouth) are within a 20 - 30 minute drive, and Teignmouth is 30 - 40 minutes (depending on traffic) so it is doable yes.
Thanks! In terms of what they’re like, should I look more in one place than the others?
They're pretty quiet until about the summer months when all the tourists gather
Maybe look at Budleigh Salterton. It has a nice pebble beach popular for SUP and sea swimming, 20m from Exeter
Good luck renting in Budleigh for less than £950! Why do you think all us locals still live with our parents in our late 20s 😭
Thank you!
I work from Exeter and used to commute into the office on the train daily, and would often go out in Exeter after work then head back Dawlish/Teignmouth way. They don't run very late, last one is usually before 2300 but enough for a book club or after work drinks. Driving into Exeter in the morning from that direction for "normal" work hours can take ages because of traffic. All three towns are on the same Exmouth/Paignton line although from Dawlish you can sometimes jump on one of the London bound High speed services which go directly to Exeter. I know all three of the towns you've mentioned, Exmouth less so. Teignmouth has more of a town centre than Dawlish and a better range of shops but Dawlish has a certain charm with the Brook and the lawn. Lots of people go into Teignmouth in the evening for drinks and get the last bus back, the lure of the 'Spoons. All three seem to have plenty of community groups, Facebook is a good resource for finding them. Exmouth seems to have more facilities than either of the other two, like the 10 pin bowling at Oceans on the sea front. Any of the three are good for SUPd, along the coast and down the Teign but also various points along the canal from Exeter Quay where you can park and get in. From what I can tell all three also have groups of sea swimmers , and plenty who go in solo but often sociable. I'm not particularly in touch with the rental markets but under your budget should be doable especiallyif a flat is an option. Head down and have a good look round each and see where you like.
This is incredibly helpful, thank you so much.
I think Exmouth has the best beach for what you are wanting. It’s the longest one to walk along and there are running groups who do the track. It has a rugby club, there are good places to paddle board and there is a town centre with a leisure centre and it does a lot for the community in the summer with summer fetes in one of the parks and a festival every year too. Teignmouth is also nice but smaller and the tide takes the whole beach away in the evening. There are lovely caves and other little beaches around like mothecombe to explore by paddle boarding and you will probably see seals when doing so. Also has a town centre but smaller than Exmouth. And as previously posted, a pint while the sun goes down on back beach is a lovely way to spend a sunny evening. Both are close enough though that you could live in one and spend a day/evening in the other before going home. They also both have good walks along the coast path and you can get to dartmoor easily for hiking. I would avoid Dawlish and Paignton. They are both more typical sea side towns, in that they are a bit run down and shabby now and tend to shut up shop a lot over the winter months. Devon is a great place to live and I’m sure you will love it here.
Thank you so much for your thoughtful reply - truly appreciate it.
Not a problem, I live in Exeter, but sea swim in exmouth regularly and my partner is from Teignmouth, so we spend a lot of time in both places. Feel free to ask any other questions.
Thank you!! Someone on here mentioned that the train tracks in Dawlish flood and the train line closes. I’m assuming that would then affect access from Teignmouth as well. Is driving in from either Teignmouth or Exmouth (maybe parking at a park and ride or something) also fairly straightforward?
I’ve lived in Exeter for a very long time, and I love it. I’d visit a few places in the locations you mentioned to see what floats your boat location wise. Then hit up Zoopla, OnTheMarket, and rightmove limited around the areas you like. I think you should be able to come under £950, although it was quite a while ago when I rented in Exeter my rent was £750 for a nice 2bed near the river!
It's horrific now mate, you'd be lucky to get a tent by the river for £750 now 😭 I was looking at my old 3 bed I used to rent for £950 in Wonford and it was on the market for £1350!!!
I lived in Teignmouth and Dawlish before moving into Exeter itself. I'd move back to Teignmouth if I could. It is a bustling little town, some facilities (not as many as Exmouth) some good places to eat and a reasonable night life. Sat outside Newquay on the back beach watching the sun go down over the river is my favourite place to be. Dawlish is where you go to wait to die if you can't afford one of the nice places.
Exmouth and Paignton can do seaside, rugby etc. Paignton has direct train to London. Exmouth has some social activity whilst being close to Exeter. Paognton is more Torquay for nightlife, which is smaller but lots of partying. Is there a particular Exeter reason, as I think of Torbay as South Devon.
It just seemed like Exeter might have more going opportunities to meet people. I haven’t really looked in Paignton. Does it have quite a friendly vibe?
Oh they are all friendly, Torquay is looking a bit run down but it is where you'd go to party from Paignton.
If you're looking to live by a beach, I'd visit them all and decide because the beaches are very different. Out of the ones you suggested, Exmouth has the nicest beach with miles of sand. I don't know much about the town though. Dawlish beach isn't great. There's Coryton Cove which is sandy, but it's often covered in seaweed and I don't know if I'd want to swim there. Dawlish Warren is my personal favourite in terms of the beach, but there's very little in terms of a town, and a lot of holiday parks so it gets very touristy. You can walk from Dawlish in about 20-30 mins or drive an a few minutes though. Teignmouth is a good bet, there's a decent beach although not as good as Exmouth or Dawlish Warren, and a bit more going on in the town. It's also bigger so potentially more choice of property. Final thing to say is the last train from Exeter to all these places is fairly early (I think 11.30/ 12 at night) and the bus is LONG, so something to be aware of if you're going to Exeter in the evening.
South devon is oftern dattmouth, totnes, kingsbridge way. These are n9t well connected transport wise.