A vibrant Devon city where history, culture and modern living come together

Exeter has a character all of its own.

Historic enough to have stories around almost every corner, yet modern, energetic and forward-looking, Exeter is one of Devon's most desirable places to live. Its combination of beautiful architecture, independent businesses, green spaces, excellent schools, employment opportunities and strong transport connections makes it popular with a remarkably broad range of buyers.

For Diamond Estate Agents, Exeter is also an important part of the wider Devon property market. From the city centre and its historic streets to the surrounding residential neighbourhoods and villages on the outskirts, Exeter offers an impressive variety of homes and lifestyles.

Whether you're moving for work, looking for a family home, buying your first property or relocating to Devon, Exeter deserves serious consideration.

Life in Exeter

Exeter offers something that many smaller Devon towns cannot: city life without losing the feeling of being in Devon.

You have theatres, restaurants, cafés, shopping, galleries, sporting facilities and a thriving university community, yet beautiful countryside is never far away.

The city centre combines historic buildings and ancient streets with independent shops, modern restaurants and well-known retailers.

Walk a little further and you'll find the River Exe, Exeter Quayside, parks, green spaces and the countryside beyond the city.

It is this mixture that makes Exeter particularly attractive.

You can enjoy the energy of a city while still being able to escape into the countryside when you want to.

Exeter's History

Exeter has one of the richest histories in Devon.

The city's story stretches back more than 2,000 years, with its origins connected to the Roman settlement of Isca Dumnoniorum.

Roman walls still survive in parts of the city, while the medieval cathedral and historic streets provide further reminders of Exeter's past.

Exeter Cathedral

Exeter Cathedral is one of the city's defining landmarks.

Its impressive Gothic architecture dominates the city centre and remains one of the finest examples of medieval architecture in the South West.

Exeter's Underground Passages

Beneath the city are the historic Exeter Underground Passages, originally constructed to carry clean drinking water into the medieval city.

Today they offer a fascinating insight into Exeter's engineering and history.

The Historic Quayside

Exeter Quayside is another important part of the city's identity.

Historic warehouses, waterside buildings, cafés, pubs and restaurants line the River Exe, creating one of Exeter's most distinctive areas.

Exeter's Neighbourhoods

One of Exeter's strengths is the variety of places to live.

Different parts of the city offer very different lifestyles, which is why choosing the right area can be just as important as choosing the right property.

Exeter City Centre

Ideal for those who want to be close to shops, restaurants, entertainment, the cathedral and the city's cultural attractions.

St Thomas

Located on the western side of the city, St Thomas has its own strong identity and provides convenient access to the city centre and River Exe.

Pennsylvania

Popular with families and professionals, Pennsylvania is particularly well positioned for access to the University of Exeter and surrounding green spaces.

St Leonards

An attractive residential area close to the city centre, with a mixture of period properties and modern homes.

Topsham

Just outside Exeter, Topsham has a very different feel, with historic streets, waterfront views and a strong community atmosphere.

Exwick and Pinhoe

Both areas offer a mixture of established housing and newer developments, with good connections into Exeter and surrounding areas.

The wider Exeter area also includes villages and rural communities where buyers can enjoy more space while remaining within easy reach of the city.

Green Spaces and the Great Outdoors

For a city, Exeter has an impressive amount of green space.

The River Exe provides opportunities for walking, cycling, rowing and waterside recreation.

Northernhay Gardens and Rougemont Gardens provide peaceful green spaces close to the city centre, while Duryard Valley Park and the surrounding countryside offer further opportunities to escape the urban environment.

The Exeter Canal is particularly popular with walkers and cyclists, stretching from the city towards the Exe Estuary.

And beyond the city itself, Devon's countryside, coastline and moorlands are all within easy reach.

Shopping, Restaurants and Culture

Exeter has one of the strongest shopping and leisure offerings in the region.

The city centre includes major retailers alongside independent shops, boutiques, cafés and specialist businesses.

Princesshay provides modern shopping and restaurants, while Gandy Street is particularly well known for independent businesses, cafés and its distinctive historic character.

For culture, the city offers theatres, galleries, museums, live music and regular events.

The Northcott Theatre, Exeter Phoenix and RAMM, the Royal Albert Memorial Museum, are among the city's cultural highlights.

There is also an excellent choice of restaurants, from casual cafés and independent eateries to more formal dining.

Schools and Education

Education is another major attraction for families considering Exeter.

The city has a wide choice of primary and secondary schools, along with independent education options.

The University of Exeter is one of the city's most important institutions and brings students, academics and professionals from across the UK and internationally.

For families, students and professionals alike, education forms a significant part of Exeter's identity.

Working and Commuting from Exeter

Exeter is an important employment centre for Devon and the wider South West.

The city has employment opportunities across sectors including education, healthcare, professional services, retail, technology, tourism and public services.

For commuters, Exeter's transport connections are another major advantage.

M5 Motorway

The M5 provides direct road connections north towards Taunton, Bristol and beyond.

Exeter Airport

Exeter Airport provides additional travel connections for both business and leisure.

Rail Connections

Exeter has several railway stations, including Exeter St David's and Exeter Central.

Rail services connect the city with destinations including London, Bristol, Plymouth and other parts of the South West.

A Gateway to Devon

Perhaps one of Exeter's biggest advantages is its location.

From the city, you can reach the coast, Dartmoor, Exmoor, Mid Devon and the surrounding countryside relatively easily.

Exeter's Property Market

The Exeter property market is one of the most varied in Devon.

There is a broad choice of accommodation, from city-centre apartments and Victorian terraces to substantial period houses, modern family homes and properties on the city's outskirts.

The city also attracts a diverse range of buyers.

First-Time Buyers

Apartments and smaller homes can provide opportunities for buyers taking their first step onto the property ladder.

Families

Family houses, gardens, schools and access to green spaces make many parts of Exeter particularly popular with families.

Professionals

The city's employment opportunities and transport links make Exeter a natural choice for professionals working locally or commuting elsewhere.

Investors

The university and large professional population also contribute to continued demand for rental property in appropriate areas.

Relocators

For people moving to Devon from elsewhere in the country, Exeter can provide a useful compromise between city amenities and access to the county's famous countryside and coastline.

Exeter or Rural Devon?

This is often the question facing buyers moving into the area.

Do you choose a village, a country property or a home in the city?

There is no universal answer.

Exeter offers convenience, employment, education, entertainment and transport links.

Rural Devon offers space, peace and countryside.

The advantage of Exeter is that you don't necessarily have to choose one or the other.

Within a relatively short distance of the city, the landscape quickly becomes rural, while Exeter itself provides everything you would expect from a regional city.

For many people, that balance is the attraction.

Why Choose Exeter? A vibrant city

Restaurants, shops, theatres, galleries, entertainment and events provide plenty to do throughout the year.

Outstanding history

Roman remains, medieval streets and Exeter Cathedral give the city genuine character.

Excellent transport links

The M5, railway network and Exeter Airport make travelling around the UK and beyond convenient.

Beautiful surroundings

The River Exe, Exe Estuary and Devon countryside are all close at hand.

Strong education

A wide choice of schools and the University of Exeter add to the city's appeal.

A diverse property market

From apartments to substantial family houses, Exeter offers homes for a wide range of buyers.

Close to the coast

Some of Devon's best beaches and coastal towns are within easy reach.

Is Exeter a Good Place to Live?

For many people, Exeter provides the best of Devon in one location.

It has the energy and opportunities of a city, but it never feels completely detached from the countryside around it.

You can spend Saturday morning browsing independent shops, have lunch beside the River Exe, cycle along the canal in the afternoon and still be within easy reach of the coast or countryside for the rest of the weekend.

For families, professionals, students, retirees and people relocating to Devon, Exeter offers an unusually broad range of lifestyles.

Thinking of Moving to Exeter?

At Diamond Estate Agents, we know that moving to Exeter is about more than finding a property with the right number of bedrooms.

It's about finding the right part of the city and the right lifestyle.

Whether you're looking for a city-centre apartment, a Victorian family home, a modern property or a home on the outskirts with easier access to the countryside, understanding the local area can make all the difference.

If you're buying a property in Exeter, we'd be happy to discuss what you're looking for and help you understand the local market.

If you're selling your Exeter property, we can provide a professional market appraisal and advise on how best to position and market your home.