Blog Post

Moving to Exeter? Here’s What You Need to Know

Rose Removals • Aug 26, 2020
Richard Hooker Monument

Exeter is a fantastic place to live. Whether you’re moving to Exeter for your dream job or you’re excited to live independently for the first time as a university student, this fascinating city has something to offer! An ancient city situated in the South West of England, Exeter is steeped in culture and history, with quaint cobblestone streets, secret Underground Passages and of course, the majestic Exeter Cathedral.

Exeter has also become an increasingly popular city for university students and young professionals, especially those from nearby towns in Devon and Cornwall. This has given the city a lively buzz, making it a popular tourist destination for weekend getaways. So, what’s it like moving to Exeter - and what do you need to know?


Exeter at a glance

As we’ve mentioned, Exeter is a beautiful city that balances the old and the new. There’s a lot to learn about this exciting place. Here are some of the key things you need to know before you arrive:


Location: Exeter is a city situated in the county of Devon. This means it’s not too far away from some of Devon’s most famous beaches! Exeter is also a short drive to other bustling cities, such as Plymouth, and beautiful spots like the Dartmoor National Park.


Size: Exeter is a fairly small city with a population of approximately 130,000 people. This means it’s big enough to feel lively but small enough to avoid the overcrowding of much larger cities.


Transport links: From Exeter, it’s easy to travel to the breathtaking beaches of Cornwall or towards the bustling cities of Bristol and Cardiff. In fact, with the M5 and A38 nearby, it’s easy to access any major town or city in the South West.


In addition to plenty of bus and coach stops, there are three main train stations (Exeter St Davids, Exeter St Thomas and Exeter Central) and even an international airport.


Landmarks: You’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to famous landmarks in Exeter. Exeter Cathedral and the Royal Albert Memorial Museum and Art Gallery are two you can’t miss! The city’s Underground Passages are also a must-do for anyone visiting or living in Exeter.


Green spaces: Unlike many other cities, Exeter has plenty of green spaces for you to enjoy. The Dartmoor National Park is only a short drive away, but there are also lots of verdant parks and forested areas close to the city centre. These include Belmont Park, Bury Meadow Park and Barley Valley Nature Reserve.


As you can see, Exeter has a lot to offer! It’s popular amongst people of all ages, job sectors and interests. No matter what your reasons for relocating to Exeter, you will certainly be able to network with like-minded people.

Where to live in Exeter

One of the most important decisions to make when you’re relocating to a new city is where to live. Of course, your decision will depend on many factors, such as the number of rooms you need and your budget. Exeter has a reputation for being one of the most expensive places to live in the South West, however that’s not to say that you won’t find great housing at reasonable prices.

If you have a job lined up or you’re moving to Exeter to study, you’ll likely want to find a house to rent or buy within walking or driving distance of your new office or university campus. However, if you’re moving to Exeter without a plan in mind, you’ll have more flexibility when it comes to choosing a part of the city to live in.

Looking on property portals or contacting local letting agents can help you find a suitable property, however it pays to have a location in mind. Some of the most popular parts of Exeter include St Thomas, Exwick, Heavitree and Exeter Quay.

If you’re moving to Exeter for university, you’ll most likely want to live around one of Exeter’s two main campuses, Streatham Campus or St Luke’s Campus. These are roughly half an hour’s walk from each other, which makes it easy to meet your friends for coffee between lectures! Some of the most popular areas amongst Exeter students are Mount Pleasant, Newtown and St Leonards.

It’s worth noting that most places in central Exeter can be accessed easily on foot or by public transport. It’s a fairly compact city which makes it ideal for students or commuters who don’t drive! This is lucky, as Exeter’s proximity to popular holiday destinations means there’s often quite a lot of traffic.

Where to study in Exeter

As we’ve mentioned, Exeter is a popular city for university students. With two main campuses, Streatham and St Luke’s, there are plenty of opportunities for students to meet other like-minded individuals. As a historic city, Exeter also offers the traditional university experience that many students yearn for!

With lots of great bars and clubs, Exeter has an exciting nightlife that makes it highly attractive to students from the UK and beyond. However, there are also lots of great restaurants, cinemas, museums and beautiful outdoor spaces to enjoy if bars and clubs aren’t for you. You can even get to Exmouth beach via car or public transport in 30-40 minutes, perfect for those sunny days where you need a break from studying.

In addition to the University of Exeter, there are many other great opportunities for students of all ages. If you’re moving to Exeter with young children or teenagers, you’ll be pleased to know there are many brilliant primary and secondary schools to choose from. You can find a full list of the primary and secondary schools in Exeter by visiting the official Government website.

If your children are of college age, there are three main institutions to choose from: Exeter College, Exeter College of Art and Design and Exeter Tutorial College. Many secondary schools also have Sixth Form centres offering a range of great courses.

Where to work in Exeter

If you’re moving to Exeter to work, you may already have a great job lined up. Congratulations! If you’re still looking for an exciting work opportunity, you’ll be pleased to know there are many brilliant jobs available in the city centre and beyond. The University of Exeter is one of the city’s biggest employers, but as with any city, there are also opportunities for work in healthcare, catering, retail and education.

As the capital city of Devon, Exeter also attracts lots of commuters from smaller, local towns. This makes the job market fairly competitive. However, with cities like Bristol and Plymouth just a short train ride away, you’ll also be able to commute elsewhere to kickstart your career.

As with any relocation, it’s sensible to have a job lined up before you move to Exeter. This way, you can focus on other important steps, such as finding a place to live and hiring a removals company.

Finding a removals company in Exeter

Whether you’re moving to Exeter from a nearby town or from elsewhere in the UK, finding a professional removals company is a key step. A professional removals company can make the process of relocating much easier and more efficient and can make sure that your move to Exeter goes off to a smooth start.

Although there are many factors to consider when finding a great removals company, we’d recommend choosing removalists who are local to Exeter. With a great understanding of the local area, they will be able to transport your belongings to your new home without delay. They’ll also be able to give you recommendations for great things to do in the local area!

When you’re moving home, don’t forget to find a BAR-accredited removals company - like us at Rose Removals. This will give you the peace of mind you need that your relocation is being dealt with according to industry standards and regulations. You should also find a Which? Trusted Trader removals company to make sure you’re working with registered and reputable removalists.


Moving to Exeter? Rose Removals is here for you

If you’re searching for a reputable and reliable removals company based in Exeter, you needn’t look further than Rose Removals. We offer house moving services and self-storage throughout the UK and are proud to be based in Devon. Whether you’re moving to Exeter or you’re relocating overseas, our team of professional removalists are here to help. We can also assist with your storage needs or supply high-quality packing materials for your next house move.

To discuss our range of storage and removals services or for a free, no-obligation quote, please don’t hesitate to contact us today. We look forward to assisting with your house move!

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