Compare Plymouth, Southhampton, Torquay and Bournemouth?

Question

Which would be the best to live in?
( It would be me and my wife. We're both 31 and I am a Drama teacher and an actor.We currently live in London)

Answer 1

It would all depend on why you want to move, what your taste are in location, what your job is or will be and what sort of local amenity and links you require. For instance, if we start with travel, if you have to travel to and from London to work, I would opt for either Southampton or Bournemouth, if you are starting a new job, then it is if you need to travel to and from anywhere.
Personally given the four options I would want to live Torquay way, good area, clean, views, atmosphere. However, employment, transport and visitor issues would be a big negative. Plymouth and Southampton are OK if you like towny life and don't mind Urban. Bournemouth would be a close second choice, however transport / amenities would be another issue.

Answer 2

Southampton has some really bad areas and I would only recommend it for the shopping! Unless you were prepared to go live in the outskirts. Bournemouth is lovely, it has everything that you would want, great beaches too. I would recommed Poole though, especially Sandbanks. The houses here are astronomically expensive but the beach is stunning, you often can't believe you are in the UK! Poole Harbour is lovely too. Also you are still in close proximity to London and main motorways, Southampton isn't too far away either. My experience of Plymouth is that it is a naval town...... the last time I visited it didn't seem to have that much charm. However I probably didn't see all the good parts. Torquay is a lovely place, a real holiday feel to it! Again I would compare this to Bournemouth. I would say that Bournemouth should be first on your list followed by Torquay, then Southampton, them Plymouth.

Answer 3

What an interesting question mate.

Well, as a Devonian, I've been to Torquay & Plymouth on numerous occasions, Bourney twice & Southy once.

I won't compare Bourney & Southy - people who have been there more times can put their points across. However, Bourney is really nice.

Torquay is way better than Plymouth. There are a lot of rough areas in Plymouth. The people are not at all friendly. Torquay is not fantastic, but it is still a nice place. Gets busy in the summer - The English Riviera gets it for me. If you do move to Devon then you will have to go to Exmouth which has a pretty nice beach. Dartmoor is nice as well.

Answer 4

Having lived in Plymouth (having moved from the north) I would be prepared for a change in lifestyle. Life is a bit slower - weigh up what you enjoy about london and be prepared for it not to be in any of these towns / cities
Suggest a visit to all 4 and weigh up.
Plymouth is OK - just miles from anywhere!
Torquay - 'older' population - v busy in the summer
Southampton - can't comment
Bournemouth - warm sea (apparently)

Answer 5

if you know where to look you will be suprised at the number of 'actor' oppurtunities in Plymouth - particulary for work as a film extra/small part or in the theatre or Television (westcountry TV make a lot of films for the history channel etc- denman productions are based in plymouth.)
Plymouth has a brilliant art college. Also in Autumn 2007 it will boast the largest art centre in europe which is located opposite the silverstall, a silver jewellery shop.

Answer 6

I lived in Plymouth and loved it, close to the sea, dartmoor and just a short drive into Cornwall.
There's some rough area's but Plymstock and Plymton are ok.
The shopping cetnre is fantastic and there's all the history of the Barbican and Hoe.
The job situation is very poor though.( the reason i moved away again)

Answer 7

I live in paignton,next to torquay , and the cost of living is expensive ,very few jobs and what there is dont pay very well.i have been told that the best place would be southampton.why? sorry havent got an answer to that.only going by hearsay.