Can you spot an outsider?

The majority of Devonians can spot an outsider moving to the area in as little as five minutes, a new study reveals.

To fit in with the locals, those moving to the area need to ditch designer gear in favour of hardy wellies, stop being in a hurry, and start using words like “reet” (translation: “alright?”) and “cho” (translation: “cheerio”).

The findings come from a unique study by Devon estate agents, Luscombe Maye, in response to latest official figures* that show the South West is the destination most people are moving to, particularly from London.

While the majority of Devonians think the influx to the area is great news for prosperity and bringing a new dynamic to the area, others worry that their arrival is creating a costlier housing market which is leaving locals unable to get on the ladder.

More than 100 people took part in the study to find out the good and the bad when it comes to people moving to the South West.

The results showed:

• Nearly two thirds of people (64%) can spot a new arrival to the South West in five minutes
• The majority of Devonians are happy the area is attracting new blood – three quarters of people agree it is helping the county prosper and 17% think it is helping to create new jobs
• Accents are biggest giveaway of new arrivals say 56% of people as well as impatience – a third of those questioned said new arrivals are always in a hurry
• Nearly a quarter say the tell-tale sign is what they are wearing – often tackling rural countryside in inappropriate outfits that are going to end up caked in mud.

Luscombe Maye partner, Stuart Hext, said: “The South West is the most popular destination for people wanting a change of scene and we have seen big companies move here and universities in both Plymouth and Exeter earning world class status. With that comes a real change in the make-up of the area with thousands moving here every year. Most agree it’s great for the area but there are concerns that those moving in need to appreciate the area, culture, natural beauty and way of life in general.”

Those taking part in the study raised concerns that they would like new arrivals to be more considerate of rural and coastal issues which are part and parcel of South West life. Nearly 45% would like those arriving to get more involved in the local community and a similar number just want their new neighbours to get out and about and explore all the great things the region has to offer.

Said Stuart: “Our research among born and bred Devonians and those who have moved here shows real support for ‘newcomers’. At the same time they also expressed concerns as to what it means for the area: the housing market remains a hot topic and we found that half of those we quizzed were worried about the spiralling housing prices because of the area’s popularity. But for a third of people, that was actually good news because they are already homeowners and their investment continues to rise.”

Plymouth resident, Charlie Crocker, was among those who took part in the research.

He said: “Plymouth is a city that is a village by the sea. People with fresh minds and attitudes coming to the place from other areas is fantastic. You take places such as Bovisand or Mount Batten as perfect examples, where they need someone to come and put some money into renovating those areas, where people who live here might not have the capital or enthusiasm to do it.

“The secret is to embrace the area at a steady pace and get involved in local activities. People need to be more sympathetic of what we have got here and to look after the place.”

Knowing first-hand what it takes to fit in is Devon is Katherine Taylor who moved from Winchester.

She said: “Devon is a funny place. Firstly, it feels so far away from everywhere. And the people here have some many funny little expressions that take a while to get used to, so you need to know what certain lines mean. The people of Plymouth say ‘ideal’ a lot. ‘My lover’ is another one that was a big surprise when I moved from Winchester a couple of years ago. Everyone calls you ‘my lover’.”

Exeter café owner Tim Hughes, who runs the Riverside Café on Exeter Quay, said the main thing people have to do is enjoy a slower pace.

He said: “I have friends who have moved here and I say to them that they need to lose their London attitude. Everything can take twice as long down here but that is part of what makes it such a great place to live. People are friendly, they chitchat all the time and sometimes that can be frustrating if you are queuing up for something, for example. You just have to relax into it and start to enjoy it.”

Charlie, Katherine, Tim and others taking part have now helped Luscombe Maye create a new “How to Fit In” guide for those contemplating a move to the South West. The guide give top tips on how to blend in with the locals under the headings of How to Act, What to Wear, What to Eat, What to Say.

How to Act
•         Relax – don’t try too hard
•         Be interested in where you are now living – learn about the community, its history
•         Join local clubs to meet the locals
•         Be patient – on the road, in shops, in restaurants. If people start chatting and are holding you up – bite your lip, a few minutes extra wait is not going to ruin your day
•         Talk to everyone – this is not an area to keep your head down and rush about
•         Don’t criticise the local way of life – you’ve signed up to the area, so respect it
•         Do your homework on the area before moving – watching Poldark can give you a few clues
•         Don’t play the big “I am”. Talk less about yourself and your achievements, more about others.

What to Wear
•         Ditch the designer for everyday wear – Prada and mud do not go well together!
•         Buy some wellies – the footwear that will not let you down
•         Tweed – a great way to blend in the country and riding set
•         Invest in a wetsuit – we have the best beaches in the UK to use it on
•         Mud – shows you are not too precious about yourself
•         Always wear a smile – and smile back when people smile at you.

What to Eat
•         Eat a cream tea at least once a week (stunning country walks will burn it off)
•         Try cider – it is the best drink in the South West
•         Explore micro-breweries – they’re springing up everywhere
•         Don’t stick to the chain restaurants – explore some real gems of the region when it comes to food shops, restaurants and some of the best gastropubs in the country
•         Develop a fondness for pasties – make it a hobby to find your favourite!

What to Say
•         “Hello” – say it to anyone and everyone you pass in the street
•         Say “Reet” instead of “Alright?” and “Cho” instead of “Goodbye”. Agree with someone by using “init”
•         Use “my lover” as a term on non-sexual endearment in the same way you may say “mate” or “pal”
•         The “h” can be a bit redundant. Say “ello me ansome” rather than “hello there”. Ere, oliday and ospital are also used
•         Always start your sentence with “I said”
•         When something is funny say “that’s elluva funny”
•         Make sure you refer to anywhere north of Exeter as “up north” or “up the line.”