Is Exeter one of Best Places to Live in the UK?

Exeter is consistently voted one of the top places to live in the UK. It is a vibrant university town but with many historical buildings and culture. The city has developed around the estuary and there are many winding roads and hardly a flat area, giving the place a haphazard feel. There is the grand Norman Cathedral, Roman ruins, Georgian streets, cobbled lanes around the quay as well as more modern quarters. And all surrounded by the lovely Devon countryside.

Exeter is one of the most profitable places to run a business in the UK and has good transport links with two railway stations and being close to the M5 motorway and having the small but international Exeter airport.

The city offers a good balance between tourism and being a great place to live.

Exeter has the benefit of the massive Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital and a number of decent grammar and independent schools.

The city offers two theatres as well as various museums and art galleries as well Exeter City Football club and the race course.

The city boasts a reputation for good hotels and restaurants and also has some lovely delicatessen shops and cafes. Nightlife is concentrated around the city centre.

In the latest edition of the Lonely Planet Travel Guide, Exeter is described as having a 'Youthful vibe' and to be a charming place to visit. Places of note are the Michael Caines restaurant and Mama Stones live music venue, run by soul star Joss Stone's mother.

It is well over a three hour commute to London so not really a viable option for those working in the city, and surprisingly, given the number of historic sites and pretty streets, the main high street was voted the blandest in the UK in 2011. There are few independent shops and jus the usual boring high street chains and department stores. Planning in the city centre also leaves something to be desired with modern office blocks stuck next to historic buildings and no attempt made to blend the new and old. In 2005 it was voted the UK's worst (or best) example of a clone town as all the shops are similar to other such high streets.

As with any city and surrounding area, house prices vary massively depending on location. A modern three bedroom house in the trendy area of St Leonards will cost around quarter of a million pounds, where as a two bedroom terraces Victorian property in a less fashionable area will be around £150,000.

For details of new developments in Devon visit WhatHouse.co.uk property portal.