With a great environment and good communications, East Devon has so much to offer. Property search consultant Nigel Bishop, of Recoco, takes a look at some of the benefits of the area.

Midweek Herald: Meadow Lea, Sidmouth.Meadow Lea, Sidmouth. (Image: Archant)

Go West, young man! So the saying went for the settlers discovering America looking for gold.

Well, for those escaping the fast-track life in London, they shouldn’t go too far west - as the A303 becomes the A30 the unspoilt, serene countryside of East Devon lays before you.

A patchwork of carefully tended fields surrounding an eclectic mix of towns that serve the tourist well, but essentially are thriving communities with an amazing assortment of independent trades and professions.

Life may appear a little slower by comparison, but the buzz and creative activity in every town and village belies the calm exterior.

Midweek Herald: Jocelyn Cottage, PayhemburyJocelyn Cottage, Payhembury (Image: Archant)

Where else in England is there high-speed motorway access at one end of the region, major rail links to the capital through the centre, an international airport, combined with a World Heritage Site - The Jurassic Coast - and probably the best weather in the UK?

Major companies are settling here, taking advantage of the technological advances enabling world contact at the press of a button.

Little wonder the health and age expectancy in East Devon is amongst the highest in the UK.

Inevitably, the coastal towns gain the most publicity, from Exmouth to Seaton, all connected by the South West Coastal Path.

Along the way the towns differ in character but all share a stunning coastline.

Whilst appearing to be geared to the tourist season Sidmouth draws people from throughout the region to their exceptional array of shops all year round - the perfect place for a summer ice cream and to do the Christmas shopping!

It caters well for the exploding summer population as well as long-term residents. Whilst many seaside towns have seen their glory days pass by, without exception the buzz and activity in the region bodes well for growth, attracting future generations to this special area.

Equally, the choice of housing is as eclectic as the area itself.

In the north of the region at Payhembury, Humberts (01404 42456) is selling Jocelyn Cottage - the quintessential thatched cottage.

With gas and oil-fired Agas in the family kitchen, three bedrooms and two bathrooms with pretty cottage gardens, it is the classic country cottage of dreams.

A rather grander scale in Boughmore Road, Harrison Lavers (01395 516633) is selling Meadow Lea. Designed by favoured local architects Sampson and Dingwall in the 1930s, this five-bedroom family house stands in two thirds of an acre garden with sea views perfect for a growing family.

Commanding amazing sea views is Flat 3, Washington House, in Seaton, offered by Fortnam, Smith and Banwell (01297 23939). A two-bedroom first-floor apartment in a historic building sitting high above the Promenade overlooking the beach - perfect ‘lock up and leave’ retirement home or first-time buy.

So East Devon offers the best of all worlds.

It may be hard to believe it is possible when so much in the world is uncertain and worrying, but there is one place to savour - home: ‘it’s all about coming home’.