All corners of England offer something different when it comes to finding somewhere to settle down.

The big cities such as London, Birmingham and Manchester offer the hustle and bustle of a metropolitan area, which is ideal for some. 

Other more rural regions such as North Yorkshire, the East Midlands and the North East offer a more tranquil way of life away from the big population hubs. 

One area that is often overlooked is the South West of England, but this article will explain why it shouldn’t be so far down on your list.

Transport Links

In decades gone by you might have assumed the South West was cut off from the rest of the UK because of poor transport links. 

However, the situation is quite the opposite. Much of the South West is well connected by motorway and train to major hubs like London, Birmingham and Cardiff.

For example, a train from Bristol to London takes less than 2 hours – opening up a range of opportunities when it comes to working for a London company on a remote or hybrid working pattern. 

The M5 gives you convenient access to the midlands and beyond, so you don’t have to worry about locations being inaccessible.

Natural Attractions

One area where the South West has the upper hand over other parts of the UK is its natural attractions.

Dartmoor National Park and a whole host of pristine beaches are just a few examples of natural attractions that can give many options when it comes to family trips out or downtime. 

Devon and Cornwall are a surfer’s paradise if you’re an avid surfer. Hiking, climbing, cycling, swimming – you can do it all in the South West.

Property Choice and Price

The South West also provides a lot of choices with regards to properties and locations. You could explore new houses in more populated areas like Bristol or Bath, or look at more rural locations further across the region. 

There is a range of property types from new builds to period houses and even older homes that you could live in. Prices are also significantly lower on average than in areas closer to London, so you could save yourself a hefty sum.

Family Friendly

Another benefit of settling down in the South West is that the region is considered to be family-friendly. 

If you’re looking to start a family or already have one, low crime rates, good educational facilities and low pollution levels make it a great place to raise kids.

There are several leading universities in cities like Exeter, Bath and Bristol if your children want to stay closer to home when they leave school and there are also good employment opportunities in these cities and elsewhere too.