Moving to Cornwall (an in-comers view)
Cornblogger - blogging about Cornwall
10 excellent reasons for moving to Cornwall… |
| Posted on Jun 23 2008 >> Back |
Cornwall faces out into the Atlantic like the bow of a ship and is buffeted and beaten by all kinds of weather.
These extremes have shaped, sculpted and scoured the landscape of Cornwall resulting in barren moorland, rugged cliffs and in some cases lush green and almost tropical valleys.
I’ve listed here my top ten reasons (in no particular order) for moving to Cornwall.
1. The beaches around the Cornish coast
The beaches and coves around Cornwall are some of the very best in the British Isles and soft golden sands and clear blue seas make for beautiful beaches.
For the adventurous there are great beaches to swim, dive and snorkel from whilst for the family there are child friendly beaches perfect for relaxing and building sandcastles on.
Cornwall was the top UK tourist destination in 2007 with 1 in 4 UK tourists visiting Cornwall. Amazing! I expect a lot of them came for the beaches!
2. The deep blue sea
Throughout the year, the sea around the Cornish coastline can beat anything you’ve may have seen in the Mediterranean!
We look out over the Looe river and quite often we can see the bottom when the tide is in (3 - 4 metres) and we’re about 100m away.
When the water is crystal clear, you can see shoals of sand eels, small pollock, mullet and sea bass.
3. Very little traffic
Traffic - don’t you just hate it?
Back in Sussex the roads were getting busier and busier. I’m not sure what they’re like where you are, but the traffic in Cornwall seems non-existent by comparison.
Sure the summer gets a little busy in places but it’s generally only in the hot spots and if you avoid them, driving is almost a pleasure. Having said that, we don’t drive half as much as we used to an often don’t get in the car for 3 weeks at a time - we walk everywhere instead. It’s a welcome relief!
4. Slower pace of life
The idea that things move more slowly in Cornwall was certainly one that tempted us to move here.
The thought of less stress, less hassle on the roads, relaxed shopping, quieter towns and villages, calm days on the beach and rambles across the moors was enough to convince us.
5. Vibrant arts scene
I expect you’ve heard of the Tate in St Ives but did you know there are literally dozens of small galleries around Cornwall selling genuine, good quality arts, crafts, paintings and sculpture?
Cornwall is well know as an artistic haven with some famous names and movements all originating from here. I think it has something to do with the light and the fact that the air is so clean.
If you like getting outdoors, buying art and engaging in the visual arts then you’ll not be disappointed by Cornwall.
6. Pride and a sense of place
The Cornish people are very proud of their heritage and sense of place. I think it’s because of their unique cultural history and its ability to bind them to the land they live in.
Practically everywhere you go in Cornwall there are Saint Piran flags fluttering in the breeze. I have never seen flags flying like this in any other county. If you keep your eyes open you’ll even see Saint Piran car stickers too! Saint Piran is the patron saint of tin-miners which was a major industry in Cornwall during the 18th and 19th centuries. He is regarded as the national saint of Cornwall. Saint Piran’s Flag is a white cross on a black background and St Piran’s Day is March 5th.
7. Feeling of community
If you’re not Cornish but you move here, you will never be Cornish!
Fair enough and understandable really but it begs the question as to when your family (if you have any and they carry on living here after you!) will become Cornish? Perhaps it takes several generations. Perhaps it’s never. If you have the answer, please let me know.
The one thing I do know is that most of the ‘incomers’ like ourselves have come here looking for something and that makes us special. We bring optimism and hope, a sense of adventure and potential. So hurray for us too I say!
8. Nature
Wildlife, the birds and the bees. Sun, sea, sand, wildflowers, sea life, butterflies and fresh air.
It’s all here in abundance and because there hasn’t been as a great deal of pollution in the past, Cornwall has an amazing diversity of wildlife.
9. Cheaper housing
Difficult one this as house prices are changing all the time and at different rates all over the country. Having said that, everywhere we go these days the house prices do seem quite similar.
Lewes (where we used to live) on the other hand, has become a very expensive. We left a 2-up-2-down semi and were able to buy a 4 bedroom detached house with converted attic and amazing view, close to Looe town centre for a little over what we sold our semi for! OK so it needs a little work, but as a long term family home, it’s great.
If you’re prepared to look around bargains can still be found.
10. Sense of freedom
I’m not sure why we think we have more freedom here but it might have something to do with a smaller mortgage and being within walking distance of the sea.
I’ve always found the sea and the views it affords a very liberating place. There’s nothing to interrupt the eye and more often than not it looks calm and inviting.
Your suggestions
There you go. These are my top 10 reasons to move here.
What do you think are the best reasons for moving to Cornwall? Am I way off the mark or am I bang on the nose?
If you have any that you would like to see up here, please get in touch.