Moving to Exeter: A Local Guide to Areas, Commuting and Move Day
/Moving to Exeter usually starts with one question: which part of the city? The answer shapes your commute, your schools and what moving day looks like, because a Georgian terrace in St Leonards and a new-build in Cranbrook are very different jobs for a removal crew. This guide walks through the main areas, the transport links and the move-day details that catch people out. It is written by Empire Removals, a family run removals company about twenty minutes from Exeter at our Newton Abbot depot.
Exeter's Areas and What the Housing Is Like
St Leonards. Just south-east of the city centre, St Leonards has some of Exeter's oldest residential streets, with Georgian and Regency terraces and large Victorian villas. Magdalen Road has a run of independent shops and cafés. Houses here often have several storeys, tall staircases and front steps, and many streets have residents' parking.
Heavitree. East of St Leonards, Heavitree is mostly Victorian and Edwardian terraces with some interwar semis further out. Fore Street, Heavitree has its own shops and is a short walk from the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital at Wonford. Streets are narrow and parking is tight on both sides, so a van usually needs a planned space.
Pennsylvania. On the hill north of the centre, Pennsylvania has larger Victorian and Edwardian semi-detached and detached houses, many with gardens and some with drives. It is close to the University of Exeter's Streatham Campus, and the views over the city come with steep roads.
St Thomas. Across the river to the west, St Thomas is built around Cowick Street, with Victorian terraces and smaller semis. It is close to Exeter St Davids station and has a good mix of first homes and family houses.
Alphington. South-west of St Thomas, Alphington keeps an older village centre around the church, with newer estates around it. Marsh Barton trading estate and the A30 junction are close by, which suits anyone driving out of the city for work.
The Quay. By the River Exe, the Quay mixes converted warehouses with newer apartment blocks. Flats here often mean shared entrances, lifts and loading times set by the building's management, so moving day needs booking in with them.
Cranbrook and Monkerton. On the east side, Cranbrook is a new town with its own railway station, opened in 2015, and Monkerton is a newer development closer to the city edge near Sowton. Both are mainly new-build houses with modern layouts, wider roads and shared parking bays. Cranbrook also has its own education campus, shops and a town centre that is still growing.
Topsham and Exminster. On the edge of the city, Topsham is an old estuary town with narrow streets around the Strand and its own station on the Exmouth line. Exminster, a village just off the A379, has family homes with drives and garages. Both feel separate from Exeter but are within easy reach of it.
Schools, Shops and Things Nearby
Exeter has a large mix of state and independent schools, along with Exeter College in the city centre and the University of Exeter at its Streatham and St Luke's campuses. School places depend on where you live, so check Devon County Council's admissions pages and each school's own catchment details before you commit to an area.
For day-to-day life, the city centre has Princesshay and the High Street for shopping, Exeter Cathedral and the Royal Albert Memorial Museum (RAMM), and Northernhay Gardens beside the old city walls. The Quay is the starting point for walks and rides along the Exe estuary towards Topsham and Exmouth.
Commuting From Exeter
By rail. Exeter St Davids is the main station, with Great Western Railway services to London Paddington. The fastest trains take around two hours, though most take longer. Exeter Central, in the city centre, has South Western Railway services to London Waterloo by a slower route, plus local trains to Exmouth, Topsham and Cranbrook.
By road. The M5 runs along the city's eastern edge, with junctions 29, 30 and 31 serving different sides of Exeter. The A30 heads east towards Honiton and west towards Okehampton and Cornwall. Traffic builds on the main routes into the centre at peak times, so living near your station or junction makes a difference.
By air. Exeter Airport is east of the city near Clyst Honiton, close to the M5 and the A30, and offers UK and European flights.
Move-Day Practicalities in Exeter
Residents' parking zones. Much of central Exeter, including parts of St Leonards, Heavitree, Pennsylvania and St Thomas, has residents' parking. On-street parking in Exeter is managed by Devon County Council, so a removal van that needs to use residents' bays or a restricted street needs a parking dispensation from them. Apply early, as it can take several working days. Your removal company should check both addresses at the survey and tell you what is needed.
The September student churn. Late August and September are busy in Exeter as students and university staff move in and out. Removal diaries and parking spaces fill quickly, especially around Pennsylvania, St James and the streets near the Streatham Campus. If your move falls then, book as early as you can.
New-build access at Cranbrook. Most roads in Cranbrook and Monkerton take a removal van easily, but shared bays, roads still being finished and site traffic can limit where it stands. Some developers set times for moving in, so check with your sales team before you fix a date.
Planning Your Removal to Exeter
Many people moving to Exeter come from London or the South East, which means a long-distance move and a full day for the crew. A survey before the quote matters even more then, because the crew needs to know about parking and access at both ends. Ask for a fixed price in writing and check what is included.
At Empire Removals every move starts with a free home or video survey and a fixed quote. Free boxes and tape come with every move, and our team can pack the whole house or just the kitchen and fragile items. If you are still choosing a mover, our guide to removal companies in Exeter sets out what to compare. For how we cover the city, see our removals Exeter page.
A Checklist for the Week Before Your Move
Confirm the date, arrival time and address details with your removal company.
Check that any parking dispensation is in place and pass the reference to the crew.
Tell your new building's management or developer when you are arriving, if you are moving into a flat or a new-build.
Finish packing everything except a first-night box: kettle, mugs, chargers, toiletries, medication and bedding.
Defrost the freezer and empty the fridge.
Set up redirection with Royal Mail and update your bank, GP and council tax.
Take meter readings at both properties on the day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a parking permit for a removal van in Exeter?
If either address is in a residents' parking zone, the van usually needs a parking dispensation from Devon County Council. Ask your removal company to check both addresses at the survey and apply as early as you can.
When is the busiest time to move in Exeter?
Late August and September are the busiest weeks because of student and university moves. Summer weekends and the end of each month also fill up quickly.
How long does it take to get from Exeter to London by train?
The fastest Great Western Railway trains from Exeter St Davids reach London Paddington in around two hours. Most journeys take a little longer.
Can a removal van get into Cranbrook?
Yes. Most roads in Cranbrook take a removal van, but shared bays and site traffic can limit where it parks. Your removal company should check the layout at the survey.
Book Your Free Survey
Planning a move to Exeter? Call us on 01626 211469 or request a quote online, and we will arrange a free survey and send you a fixed price. You can also read more on our removals Exeter page.
