St Thomas is a well-connected suburb with its own railway station, giving residents easy access into Exeter city centre without relying on a car. It's a practical, family-friendly area, with schools rated Good or better, including an Outstanding nursery, alongside a solid mix of shops, restaurants and healthcare provision. Crime has fallen sharply since 2024 and now sits below the national average, and transport costs run well under the UK norm thanks to the area's strong local links. The wider St Thomas area, taking in neighbouring Alphington and Exwick, shares much of this character: good rail or road connections into Exeter, well-regarded primary schools, and house prices that offer better value than central areas like St David's. Alphington adds its own station and a good range of local amenities, while Exwick is one of the more affordable options, with flats from £144,900 and detached houses up to £389,500, though you'll want a car there given more limited public transport within the neighbourhood itself. Terraced and semi-detached homes in St Thomas hold steady prices against these neighbours, making it a comparable, if slightly more central, choice. For those wanting more buzz, St David's sits close by with its restaurants, cafés and strong rail links, while Kenn Valley offers a quieter, rural alternative with village pubs and open space for anyone happy to drive for shopping and healthcare. Across all these areas, the common thread is affordability relative to Exeter's pricier pockets, dependable transport links, and good local schooling, making St Thomas and its surrounding neighbourhoods a sound choice for families and professionals wanting a settled base with easy city access.