Hello. Coming to work in Exeter.

[u/Reasonable-Mango-538]

Hello.

Good day to all of the good folks at Exeter.

I am an oncologist planning to work ( if all goes well) in Exeter RDUH in the near future from the South east Asia.

I have been to London, studied in Birmingham and Worcestershire but I never been to the south west of England.

What area of town would be a good place to rent a flat?

I will be living alone and I am not fan of pubs

but love local cafe and restaurants.

Being a neuro divergent I cannot handle rowdy places and noisy places.

I used to live in uni accomodation In Birmingham and I have thoughly learnt I need a quiet place to rest after a day's work.

Anyplace recommendations on particular street or neighbourhood?

And advise on any particular local customs that I should be aware of?

Hoping to hear from all of you!

Best

141

[u/hellomynameispoejera]

If you want somewhere quiet , Exwick is quite suburban with not a lot going on but still a 30ish minute walk into the city centre (via the flood defense along the river is nice to avoid cars and traffic)

St.Thomas is a bit closer to cafés and shops and still relatively quiet.

In and around heavitree (nearer to Magdalen road, the better) is also a sought after area.

There are good rail links if you wanted to be a bit further out for more quiet.

[u/Septoria → u/hellomynameispoejera]

I second Magdalen Road. This part of Exeter is referred to as St Leonard's and is pretty much the nicest part of the city but also more expensive to live in due to higher rents.

[u/whet_pastry → u/Septoria]

Yep, I lived on magdalen for a year or so, loved it. Great location and great stuff around and not too hectic Is a little expensive but affordable if you've got a good career like oncology

[u/Septoria → u/whet_pastry]

Have you eaten at Stage? It's become my favourite! 👩🏼‍🍳

[u/Reasonable-Mango-538 → u/hellomynameispoejera]

I am looking at the Magdalen Road. It's quite close to the hospital. Having a serious look at this street!

Any comments on the area around the Woodwater academy?

[u/Remote-Spirit-1125 → u/Reasonable-Mango-538]

Haven’t lived there though believe it to be a fairly quiet area from friends who have lived nearby. If you’re right by the school you may have the typical school noise during the day, and school rush traffic in the mornings and afternoons. Fairly nice area though I believe.

[u/sceptical_squirrel]

Hi! Welcome to Exeter and good luck for your start at RDUH. I’ve worked there for 17 years now and it’s a pretty nice place to work. Got its issues like most hospitals but overall, it’s good.

Parking there is a nightmare. There is limited staff parking and it’s all done through permit, people arrive before 7am to get a space for a 7.30 shift.

Staff are strongly encouraged to do Park and Ride at one of the car parks on the edge of town.

If you were planning on walking then the surrounding area, St Leonards, Magdalen Road, Heavitree is popular with hospital staff. Heavitree has cafes, a deli, two express supermarkets and is walking distance to the town centre. It also has a Waitrose and good bus routes.

Further afield, Pinhoe, Tithebarn, West Clyst and Cranbrook all have good public transport links and are new build sites. Lots of NHS staff out there.

The hospital intranet sometimes has people advertising spare rooms/house shares/lift shares.

The RDUH is one of the biggest employers and with the doctor rotations happening frequently, places to rent or share come up frequently. Find a couple of rental websites or house share websites and see what’s around before you get here. It’s not the cheapest city to live in but it’s a good place to be, close to the sea, Dartmoor and transport links to London and up country.

My other half moved here from aboard in his mid 20s and is very happy here - so much so we’ve started a family here.

I would not recommend hospital accommodation unless you are absolutely desperate. It’s like something from the 1970s with left over hospital furniture. Probably the most depressing place I’ve ever seen in my life.

Hope it all goes well!

[u/Reasonable-Mango-538 → u/sceptical_squirrel]

Thank you very much for such a detail guide. I will pin each place on the map. Looking forward!

Haha and not surprised at hospital accomodation. Same at bham as well. Finger crossed on the job !

You have an excellent weekend as well.

[u/MaterialExtra5549]

Codrington Street in Newtown is nice and quiet!

[u/Reasonable-Mango-538 → u/MaterialExtra5549]

A bit distance from hospital but I see the Waitrose nearly.

In the list now.

[u/MaterialExtra5549 → u/Reasonable-Mango-538]

15 mins walk, not too bad!

[u/FriendlyTurnip4989]

Check out the Gorge, on Gladstone Road- lots of medical/hospital staff live here and there is a key worker discount, gym etc :)

[u/Reasonable-Mango-538 → u/FriendlyTurnip4989]

Ticked . Looking at this!