Regional house prices: South West

One of the postings has suggested Exeter as a reasonably priced option. I have found that the area's anywhere near the centre are prohibitively expensive, and area's which require a train / bus / car to get anywhere at all are still well above national averages. The artificialy high prices of the last few years have left "sellers" in a position that they cannot "afford" !!!? to take a reasonable offer as it would only just match what they paid 4+ years ago. Property has become nothing but an investment to most people, NOT A HOME. As I look to move to the area, I also find that the local sallaries do not support the cost of living and housing in the area. I will put off moving down there whilst the market forces a reality check on housing and sallaries. Shared ownership has also been suggested, but for me, my circumstances preclude me from this option having owned a house before in the past few years... more red tape from this government, my rant is over now, good luck to all.

There are two prongs to the problem: -
1) We now expect to buy and not rent. Never an arguement in my youth where council housing was plentiful and renting did not attract a stigma. Problem accelerated as the Government on the 1980s promoted the sale of council houses and precluded councils from building. Leaving the construction of housing in great part to the private sector means that the builder will only develop to maximum profit, much driven by the desire of the purchaser to own bricks and mortar rather than a home.
2) Any attempt by the Government to press for an increase in the house building programme faces oposition at the local level exacerbated by the expansion of the need to consult the local population of NIMBYs, who can place disproportionate pressure on planning committees.

Have you considered Exeter? Prices are still reasonable there and I'm sure with a combined income of nearly 40k you could easily get a Victorian terrace with garden. I live in Sidmouth where the prices are ridiculous but even in East Devon there are more affordable towns such as Honiton and Seaton. Failing that if you can wait a couple of years the government has promised to build affordable homes for locals in the new Cranbrook development