What Is Living In Exeter Like? A Guide To Exeter

Last Updated November 2022

An exciting city with a range of historical buildings, large green spaces and rich with culture and art, visiting or living in Exeter offers a range of activities and comes with not only the luxury of living in the city but also the beauty of living in the countryside.

The Population of Exeter

Exeter is thought to be home to an estimated population of 470,000 residents according to the Exeter City Council.

Is Exeter a Safe Place to Live?

In 2021 Exeter’s crime rate was 68 crimes per 1,000 people, making it the most dangerous major town in Devon and was 30% higher than Devon’s overall crime rate of 52 crimes per 1000 people. However, when you compare to nearby Plymouth who has a crime rate of 73 crimes per 1,000 people, Exeter is one of the safer cities within Devon.

House Prices in Exeter

The average house cost over the past year for Exeter is around £347,708. The following shows the average property cost in Exeter:

House Pricing by Property Type

Detached- £557,143

Semi-detached- £345,184

Terraced-£306,628

Flats- £186,561

Rent Prices in Exeter

The following shows how much a rental property costs in Exeter:

Room – £648

Flat – £1,552

House – £2,384

Average Property Rental Cost Per Room (PCM):

1 bed –  £770

2 beds – £1,233

3 beds – £1,667

4 beds – £2,424

Exeter Landmarks

One of the most notable landmarks of Exeter is the ornate Cathedral. Founded in 1050 when the bishop’s seat was moved due to multiple attacks from pirates, or as we know now from Vikings, because Exeter’s roman walls where thought to offer better protection.

Exeter was also home to Rougemont Castle (better known as Exeter castle) which was built into the northern corner of the city’s roman walls around the year 1068. Now in ruins, the castle is surrounding by Rougemont Gardens which is the perfect place for tourists and residents alike to visit.

Right next door, you can find Northernhay Gardens, the oldest city park in England. The site in which the Romans quarried stone to build the city walls and which was used by the Normans as part of the defence for the castle, these gardens hold a significant historical value for the city and the rest of the UK.

The Best Neighbourhoods to Live in Exeter

Exeter is a very attractive city to live in and has many areas that offer different benefits and lifestyles.

1.       St. Leonards

One of the most sought after locations in Exeter, St. Leonards offers the benefits of village living whilst also living only a 10 minute walk from the city centre. Choose from either the Georgian and Victorian houses that have been converted into flats on Lyndhurst and Victoria Park Road or modern developments like Gras Lawn and Artillery Court as the perfect place to set up home. Whether you are family looking to have access to some of the best schools in Exeter or are a commuter to the city centre, St Leonards offers a little bit for everyone!

2.       St Thomas

A family area which is populated by Victorian terraced houses that is convenient for its close proximity to good schools and is also centralised around the train station which offers convenient commuting links to those who might work in nearby towns and cities.

3.       Pennsylvania

A suburb located north of the city centre where highly sought after spacious Victorian and Edwardian houses sit along the south slopes and 1920s-1970s style housing is found on the steep higher hills. Lower parts of Pennsylvania are home to many students who want to be able to walk to the Exeter University campus.

4.       Exeter City Centre

For those looking for city living, where else would you look but Exeter city centre! With so much at your doorstep, this is the place to look if you want that metropolitan lifestyle. Parking is notoriously difficult across the city however private parking is usually up for grabs at different properties with many of the new flat buildings holding underground parking.

5.       Heavitree

One of the most popular areas for families thanks to the good schools, local community amenities and family friendly vibe. With playgrounds, skate parks and even a paddling pool on offer it’s no surprise that this is a very on demand area. However, what is more surprising is the lower house prices which offer a lot of bang for your buck.

Schools in Exeter

Exeter is very popular with families as it offers a range of highly rated schools across the city, whereas the city also brings in a younger crowd with the help from the universities.

Primary Schools

There are 2 primary schools in the Exeter area which hold an ‘Outstanding’ rating from Ofsted, these are the Exwick Heights Primary Schools and the St Michael’s CofE Primary School and Nursery. Both schools cater for children aged 3-11 and teach a wide range of different subjects. There are a further 5 top schools in the area that have a ‘Good’ rating from Ofsted and rank highly among all of the schools in Exeter.

Secondary Schools

St James School, St Peter’s Church of England Aided School, Isca and West Exe School all cater to the children of Exeter ranged between 11-16 and hold a ‘Good’ rating from Ofsted.

Independent Schools

There are a number of different independent schools within Exeter, most notably The Maynard School which caters for girls aged between 4-19 and the St Wilfrid’s School catering for both boys and girls aged between 3-16.

You can find out more about the schools in Exeter on the Devon County Council website.

The University of Exeter

Ranked 143^rd in the world within the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2022 and ranked 13^th in the UK Complete University Guide rankings, the University of Exeter is a competitive and attractive school which is called home by over 22,000 students. With a wide range of courses and subjects cater for everyone; visit their website to find out more.

Exeter Transport Links

Exeter is very well connected city that offers easy transport into London, Birmingham, Bristol, and Cornwall. With easy connections from the M5, 3 train stations and internal bus routes getting anywhere in, around and out of Exeter is a breeze.

By Car

Joined by the A377 from the north and A30 from the south and sitting where the M5 ends in the south, Exeter is well connected offering driver multiple avenues to transverse across the South. However, Exeter is prone to traffic which can affect travel times.

Bus Links

Stagecoach South West is the main bus operator across Exeter which when paired with National Express offers a range of different routes to nearby towns and cities as well as inner city. Investing in a PLUSBUS ticket will allow you to travel across Exeter and surrounding areas across different participating operators.

Top 3 Things to Do in Exeter

1. Exeter Quay
2. Royal Albert Memorial Museum
3. Underground Passages

Need a Locksmith in Exeter?

When moving into a new home changing the locks is vital as you never know how many keys are out there and risk the keys falling into the wrong hands. Arrange for a Exeter Locksmith to come and fit a new lock the day you get your keys to provide you with peace of mind. We at Keytek^® Locksmiths Exeter provide a professional local mobile Locksmith service complying with British Standard and Home Insurance policies to ensure your home is as secure as can be! What’s more is all our customers benefit from a FREE home security check on site to ensure your home is as secure as can be!

There are many other things you need to consider when moving home so check out our Moving Home Checklist to help you along the way! Once you’re in, consider improving the security of your home further still by checking out our Ultimate Guide to Home Security here!

View our Keytek^® Locksmiths Exeter page to find your local Locksmith today or call us on 01264 310 044!