A guide to living in Plymouth
Known as Britain's Ocean City, Plymouth is the largest city in the South West. It is located on the south coast of Devon. From a stunning seafront location to a buzzing city centre, Plymouth offers an excellent quality of life. The recent works of high-profile chefs Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall and Mitch Tonks have given the city a new limelight. And in 2016, the city was named by The Guardian as one of the 10 happiest cities to work in the UK.
Things to do
Plymouth is packed with possibilities:
- Swim in an art deco lido
- Tour a gin distillery
- Learn to Stand Up Paddleboard, kayak and/or sail
- Explore the UK’s largest aquarium, the National Marine Aquarium
- Take a boat trip across the bay
- See a top-class show in one of the many highly esteemed theatres
- Party till dawn
And the aces in the pack? The history-rich Barbican district with the oldest buildings in the city. Here, you can explore shops, galleries, bars, cafes and restaurants along the water’s edge.
And you won’t want to miss out on the breathtaking views at Plymouth Hoe, one of the most perfect natural harbours in the world. The Dartmoor National Park makes for a perfect day out with children. There, you can meet the famous Dartmoor ponies and see bronze age sites untouched for about 4000 years.
Getting around Plymouth
There are many transport options in Plymouth, either by water or ground. For transportation in the city, you can use the City Bus services or bike hires. And hop on the Plymouth Lane Train for journeys from the city centre to the waterfront locations.
Plymouth is connected to Cornwall by the Royal Albert Bridge and the Tamar Bridge. Trains depart from Plymouth railway station every hour and take about 3 and a half hours to get to London Paddington. The railway station also connects the city to Devonport and Ivybridge. By air, the Exeter Airport and the Bristol Airport are just one and two hours away, respectively.
Schools
If you are looking for good quality education, Plymouth is the ideal place. There are 19 primary schools and 7 secondary schools in Plymouth. Most of them were judged "good” or "outstanding” in August 2016. Find schools near you on Plymouth Council website.
Colleges & Universities
Plymouth University is the ninth biggest university in Britain, with nearly 27,000 students. The Plymouth University’s Marine Building contains the most advanced wave tank in the world.
The city is also home to the University of St Mark & St John, which specialises in teacher training. In addition, Plymouth has two large colleges. The City College Plymouth provides courses from the most basic to Foundation degrees for approximately 26,000 students. Plymouth College of Art offers a selection of courses including media. It was founded 153 years ago and is now one of only four independent colleges of art and design in the UK.
Working in Plymouth
Plymouth was named by The Guardian as one of the 10 happiest cities to work in the UK in 2016. The majority of jobs are related to Devonport’s Naval dockyard (the largest in western Europe). However, Plymouth University, retail, the public sector and the arts also offer many jobs.
Eating and Drinking
Plymouth’s restaurants take full advantage of the city’s coastal location offering the finest seafood. But eating in Plymouth isn’t restricted to seafood as you can enjoy delicious food from all corners of the globe. You can also find mouth-watering pasties and delectable cream teas in traditional Devonshire cafes.
Shopping
The city centre has a mix of large department stores, high street brands and boutique shops. Small retailers, cafes and galleries can be found in The West End. And with The Drake Circus winning UK Shopping Centre of the Year in 2017, you’ll love shopping in Plymouth.
Culture & Nightlife
The theatre and comedy scene in Plymouth is notoriously vibrant. The Theatre Royal Plymouth is the best attended and largest regional producing theatre in the UK. There are performances and events all year round. You can also view the latest independent cinema and art exhibitions at the Plymouth Arts Centre. In the city centre and the Barbican Harbour, you’ll find it all, from traditional pubs, to contemporary stylish bars. As a university city, there are also plenty of underground clubs to please all musical tastes.
Local amenities such as hospitals, doctors, chemists and schools can be viewed for each property on our website.
Search for immediately available social housing properties in Plymouth via Homefinder UK.
Considering to move to Plymouth? Contact our case managers to find your new home today!