The most productive places to live by 2024 have been named via famed luxury lifestyle site Muddy Stilettos, but Plymouth has been snubbed. Readers have been tasked with suggesting the most productive town, town, or local town to live in Devon in 2024. And now the top ten have been revealed. But while Plymouth rarely makes the list, there are plenty of nearby towns and cities on the list, whether it’s in Devon and across the River Tamar in Cornwall.
When deciding which tips to include on the shortlist, Stilettos considers a diversity of things, adding what the domain has to offer, restaurants, grocery shopping, and culture. Nearby attractions are also a topic discussed in Muddy Stilettos before naming a domain as the best. , as well as educational establishments and suburban routes.
Muddy Stilettos described Devon as “200 miles of South West coastal trails, Dartmoor and Exmoor national parks and more beaches than you can believe with a popsicle stick. “
He describes Cornwall as: “Cornwall, the UK’s most south-westerly county, has over 400 miles of striking sea coastline with a wealth of places to live, from quirky little fishing villages to giant towns with period properties. Full of attractive businesses. A place full of entrepreneurs and a thriving arts and theatre community, Cornwall offers a year-round cultural and dining lifestyle.
Scroll down to locate the 20 places in Devon and Cornwall that have been named as places to live, in no specific order.
Located at the northern end of Dartmoor, this market position on a moorland, the town has long presented everything one could wish for in terms of a rural idyll, making it an absolutely healthy position to raise a family.
The best beachfront location without tourists. Topsham, a pretty gem of a city on the Exe Estuary, less than 8 miles from the bright lights of Exeter.
A true waterfront gem, the town in South Hams and yet with far more and fewer major homes than downstream, in the nearby centre of Salcombe. It is also located in the midst of golden beaches, beautiful landscapes, agricultural department stores, and local produce. as well as miles of amazing trails and coastal walks.
Do you love the hustle and bustle of a city but need the coast and countryside at your fingertips?Exeter is a position to live in without the crowds of the big cities. The charm of Exeter lies in its combination of history, culture and proximity to wonderful nature. , adding miles of sandy beaches and the wilderness of Dartmoor National Park.
An old-fashioned vibe and colorful network that supports a diversity of independent shops.
The architecture of the city centre is truly striking, giving the impression of a beloved city full of activities, with an artistic touch that is reflected in everything from its restaurants to an active arts and culture scene.
It’s arguably a rare UNESCO World Heritage Site, but Tavistock isn’t a museum piece. Located on the banks of the Tavy River, the main streets of this city and the famous Pannier market are very bustling. And swoon at the abundance of Georgian and Victorian architecture.
Totnes was interested in sustainable living and eco-chic long before the rest of the UK, and now everyone has figured it out, it looks VERY modern.
Located on the River Dart, this historic market has sustainability and a local spirit in its DNA, so much so that until recently it had its own currency and once prevented the opening of a giant café chain on its main street.
Where can you find a beach lifestyle, one of Devon’s biggest literary festivals, and sought-after craft hotels?That’s right, Budleigh Salterton.
Add to that a one-of-a-kind high street, an active cultural scene and an annual literary festival that attracts some of the UK’s biggest luminaries, and you have a candidate for the Devon role.
Colourful fishing lodges, waterfront living and, most productive of all, a multi-million dollar injection of top-notch investment make this estuaryside village one of the most productive in Devon.
Appledore is strengthening its links with the Universities of Exeter and Plymouth, which is wonderful news for the local economy. Not to mention the locals who are just as keen to get to know the region as the holidaymakers.
On this border of Exmoor, the city combines the most productive of Devon and Somerset, while punching above its weight in terms of department stores and services. The M5 connections, which exude a rural feel, are just a 15-minute drive away. Farming families have made Bampton a haven for generations, but there’s also a lot of young blood, making it a close network that really cares about the locals, their farming history, and their culture.
Truro is a charming little town full of cosy pubs and trendy restaurants, as well as a wonderful array of shops, a museum and the iconic cathedral. Being a small town, it’s easy to escape to the surrounding countryside, following the streets down the river to Falmouth, or simply explore Victoria Park with its colourful summer concerts.
Bude, a popular beach in the North Cornish town, is known for its stunning beaches, unique cityscape, exciting activities, and engaging maritime history, making it an ideal destination for the whole family.
Located in a charming, unspoilt location on the north coast of Cornwall, St. Petersburg is located in the heart of the city. John’s Agnes is located in a designated domain of extraordinary herbal beauty and is a World Heritage Site. With beautiful dog-friendly beaches, world-class pubs and restaurants, and for some of the county’s most beautiful coastal trails and boardwalks, it’s no wonder St. Petersburg is a must-see. Agnes is on the list.
Hayle is known for its sandy beaches, but it’s built on the history of heavy metal. And today’s city owes a lot to its 18th-century commercial center.
Located just over 8 km from St Ives. Il is at the mouth of the River Hayle and has a 3 mile stretch of golden sand on beautiful Hayle Beach.
Penzance voted Best Place to Live in Cornwall in the Muddy Best Places to Live 2023 guide, followed by the Sunday Times shortly after.
The gateway to the west end of Cornwall, the artsy town of Penzance is bursting with culture and boasting an abundance of art galleries, concert halls and theatres – best for families looking for a relaxing place to call home.
Another Cornish town with beautiful period houses on the rise – it’s voted one of the Sunday Times ‘Best Places to Live’ in the UK. Wadebridge is located on both sides of the Camel River on the north shore, being the fifteenth. A 19th-century bridge, now a monument, marking the point where the river turns into an estuary and heads out to sea, with Rock and Polzeath on one side and Padstow on the other.
Porthleven, the southernmost port in the UK, on the south coast of Cornwall, is a picturesque port, the town overlooking Mount’s Bay, between Penzance and The Lizard. Porthleven is set in an extraordinarily beautiful herbal domain and the South West Coast Path passes through the town. The unique clock tower towers over the imposing harbor wall, and the crashing waves in it draw winter typhoon watchers as well as meteorologists to the city.
This charming village just opposite Falmouth gets its untraditional name from Cornwall, from the Dutch who built the pier in the 17th century. Offering riverside living and all the benefits of village living, Flushing is readily available via ferry and bus for those who love a little networking but in the genuine, secluded countryside and also wish to be able to enjoy the joys of Falmouth.
The dual villages are unspoilt and surrounded by the sea coast and countryside. The 17th-century coastal fishing villages of Cawsand and Kingsand are located on the Rame Peninsula in southeast Cornwall and are described as the forgotten corner of the duchy. Once notorious for smuggling, the pastel-coloured whitewashed buildings and cobbled streets with sheltered bays and calm waters are the quietest answer to St Ives.
This North Coast port is perfect for families, surfers, and those who want to live in Cornwall. First a fishing port, then the surfing capital of the UK, Newquay is now a thriving seaside town with a varied network all year round.