Hello Is there anyone who could advise us about making a permenant move to St Ives in terms of important things to consider?  WE have been planning the move for 6 years - looking at properties, making enquiries about work etc.  The Schools sound great. We want more of a community life than the inner city provides us.  We would love any advice or info from others. We have three children and a dog. x  

--Last edited by Louisem379 on 2009-01-18 08:41:44 --

We moved here ten years ago and have never regretted it for one moment.

Our first decision was location - we wanted to be in the centre of town, but not in Downalong. Where we are is ideal - Bedford Road and Upalong generally is just outside the crowds of the centre but minutes walk from almost everything. Naturally it depends what you want. Further out of town is cheaper - but for example there was no way we wanted to live in Cardboard Bay.

Best estate agent in town is probably Harding Laity. A small agency with real local knowledge and dead straight:
http://www.hardinglaity.com/

We were advised, rightly, to get a local solicitor and surveyor. St Ives and Cornwall generally have a number of "peculiarities" when it comes to land and construction.

Its best to be clear about your requirements but also be a bit flexible. Not having parking can be a major pain, a garden is really nice but many nice properties just have a yard.

Schools are good and in particular Truro College is excellent (16+) - my daughter is heading there in September. St Ives School is ok on the whole (I think), but my daughter hated it and transferred to Cape Cornwall in St Just. Worth checking out both and also maybe Humphrey Davy in Penzance.

Community is great - apart form the usual small town politics - there are loads of organisations you can get involved with.

Good luck. Go for it !

Thanks Steve.  That's useful to know.  We are constantly looking at properties c/o right move and think  much as we would love to be 'town centre' we may have to go up the stenack a little just for a garden and parking. We looked at Bedford Road, which would be perfect except for the parking scenario.  Thanks for the tip re surveyors and solicitors, we are considering a property with potential to extend so that's useful (Bungalow on Alexander Rd for example). Is it a different vibe in Penzance? St Ives is our favourite but property seems a bit cheaper (and bigger) on the other side.

I am glad you have enjoyed your move and it's great to hear from you, it inspires us a little more.

Regards

Louise and Tom  

--Last edited by Louisem379 on 2009-01-18 08:40:31 --

Moving to St Ives is a dream for many, just wonder if it is possible to live in the town as the houses are small and when you have lived with a garden and parking it is too much to move into a small property that is generally used for holiday lets.

May I ask what the view is of people buying holiday homes in St Ives? I, like most people it seems, am addicted to the place and in order to maintain sanity would want a bolt hole in the most gorgeous place on earth, Trouble is, I would not want to upset anyone! Is the view that most locals are happy to accept this or is there any local antagonism?

Thanks!

You would have to speak to a local for the answer to that one. Personally, if you are sold a property by a local, then where is the issue? Local residents also own properties in the town that they rent out. Not sure whether they started out in Cornwall to be able to afford two properties, who knows? There are a number of posts that say you drive up prices but not many people would want to live in a small house where you cannot park near to your house, I would not. If I lived in St Ives it would have to be slightly out of town so the Stennack upwards.

Thanks Chy...that makes a lot of sense. We will see how we get on...cheers.

Hello Chris, I see from your birthday you are from the future, could you let me know what the housing market is like?
Thanks Chy

Better than it is today! Well, depending upon whether you are a buyer or seller....