I'm an 'outsider' in Devon and it's been anything but a disaster

A couple of weeks ago, DevonLive published an opinion letter from a couple who gave a scathing review of their time living in South Molton. When I first read it, my jaw hit the floor.

They didn't hold back, describing the local culture as "mean-spirited", saying they were constantly made to feel like outsiders and even blasting the town's youth. Readers were left in no doubt about the pair's sheer disappointment and anger.

I was far less surprised to read the response the piece received online, with plenty of people saying they had been welcomed into South Molton, as well as other towns across Devon, with open arms. But there was a handful of people who agreed with the disgruntled couple, saying they'd also noticed some closed-mindedness in North Devon.

Feeling like an outsider is something I can relate to, having lived in a few different places over the last two decades. I've gone from a seaside town to a rural village to a city in the Midlands and even to a foreign country, all before settling in Exeter. The question "where are you from?" is still one I struggle to answer.

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I know how tricky breaking into a new community can be. The pandemic, which hit just a couple of years into this couple's time in South Molton, made that almost impossible.

Deciding to settle in Devon made me especially nervous. My parents briefly lived in Cornwall before I was born and they admit it was tough at times. People living in such a beautiful area with stunning coastlines, rolling countryside and two historic cities are understandably protective of their glorious slice of the UK.

And locals often find themselves sharing it, with holidaymakers, second home owners, students and retirees, just to name a few groups. Most acknowledge that this brings tourism and business to the South West but also resent the fact that this pushes up the cost of living, particularly when it comes to house prices. You can forgive them for being a little bit territorial.

Perhaps some people may feel disappointed with their decision to move here because they had pictured an idyllic life in the most picturesque part of the UK (I'm biased, of course). While, yes, it is postcard-perfect, those moving here need to be realistic. Normal people live here and deal with many of the problems that you'd find in towns across the country, as well as its own unique set of challenges.

South Molton, in particular, has been known to experience high levels of income deprivation. And its rural surroundings mean it probably does find itself cut off from other areas. In my experience, people who have lived somewhere like this for decades can become set in their ways and, occasionally, be hostile to newcomers.

I can't speak for this couple's experience. Not only have I never met them but my experience of North Devon is limited. But along my travels throughout Devon, I've been lucky to meet many others who have moved here from all over the country or even from abroad, many of whom have taken the brave plunge of setting up a business here.

They almost always say that moving was tough but have been able to embrace their new community. In fact, one of the tightest-knit communities I have encountered in Devon has been Cranbrook which, given the town is just 12 years old, is brimming with newcomers. By its very nature, no one can be an outsider there.

And being an outsider doesn't have to be a bad thing anyway. Of course not feeling like you fit in can be tough but it means life is never boring. Everyday I get to discover new things, places, people and regional quirks (who knew how contentious the assembly of a scone could be?). With so much to offer, Devon is practically built for outsiders.