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Pros and Cons of Living in Exeter, UK | Expat Exchange
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Pros and Cons of Living in Exeter

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By Joshua Wood, LPC

Last updated on Mar 12, 2025

Summary: The pros of living in Exeter, UK include its close proximity to the beautiful Devon countryside, its vibrant city centre with plenty of shops, restaurants and entertainment, and its excellent transport links to other parts of the country. Additionally, Exeter is home to two universities, providing a great opportunity for students to pursue higher education. The cons of living in Exeter include its relatively high cost of living, which can be difficult for those on a budget. Additionally, the city can become quite congested during peak times, making it difficult to get around. Finally, the weather in Exeter can be unpredictable, with cold winters and wet summers.

What are the pros and cons of living in Exeter?

Expats, digital nomads and retirees living in Exeter responded:

"Expatriates and digital nomads living in Exeter appreciate the city's vibrant culture, with its many festivals, events, and attractions. They also enjoy the city's close proximity to the stunning Devon countryside, with its rolling hills and picturesque coastline. Additionally, the city's excellent transport links make it easy to explore the rest of the UK. On the downside, expats and digital nomads may find the cost of living in Exeter to be quite high, and the weather can be unpredictable," explained one expat living in Exeter.

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What do expats in Exeter appreciate most about the local culture?

"Expatriates in Exeter appreciate the city's rich history and culture, which is evident in its many historic buildings, monuments, and landmarks. They also enjoy the city's vibrant arts and music scene, with a variety of galleries, theatres, and music venues. Expats also appreciate the city's friendly and welcoming atmosphere, with locals often going out of their way to make visitors feel at home. Additionally, the city's close proximity to the stunning Devon countryside and coastline is a major draw for expats, providing plenty of opportunities for outdoor activities and exploration," said one expat in Exeter.

"I find customer service outstanding, people are very helpful, love the diversity of people, great restaurants and shops...enjoying the weather... very hot in US where I lived. Lots to do here, love the history, theatre, arts etc," said a person living in Exeter.

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Home finding, schooling, moving, settling-in and more for UK, London and Ireland. Cornerstone is a tech-driven, innovative relocation company. Making relocating to London, UK, Ireland and beyond a happy experience!

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Click connect to have our partner contact you via e-mail and/or phone.

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Home finding, schooling, moving, settling-in and more for UK, London and Ireland. Cornerstone is a tech-driven, innovative relocation company. Making relocating to London, UK, Ireland and beyond a happy experience!

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Click connect to have our partner contact you via e-mail and/or phone.

What do expats find most challenging?

"Expatriates in Exeter may find the local culture to be quite different from what they are used to. The pace of life is slower and the people are more reserved than in other parts of the UK. Additionally, the local dialect can be difficult to understand, and the weather can be unpredictable. Expats may also find it difficult to adjust to the lack of public transportation and the limited availability of international cuisine," remarked one expat in Exeter.

"People are quite reserved and don't readily make eye contact and say hello... lots of simple everyday things to make tasks easier not available here. Going for coffee and getting free refills," explained one expat living in Exeter.

About the Author

Joshua Wood Joshua Wood, LPC joined Expat Exchange in 2000 and serves as one of its Co-Presidents. He is also one of the Founders of Digital Nomad Exchange. Prior to Expat Exchange, Joshua worked for NBC Cable (MSNBC and CNBC Primetime). Joshua has a BA from Syracuse and a Master's in Clinical and Counseling Psychology from Fairleigh Dickinson University. Mr. Wood is also a licensed counselor and psychotherapist.

Some of Joshua's articles include Pros and Cons of Living in Portugal, 10 Best Places to Live in Ireland and Pros and Cons of Living in Uruguay. Connect with Joshua on LinkedIn.

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CORNERSTONE Relocation

Home finding, schooling, moving, settling-in and more for UK, London and Ireland.
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CORNERSTONE RelocationCORNERSTONE Relocation

Home finding, schooling, moving, settling-in and more for UK, London and Ireland.
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