Looking for a base in South West

I work as a children’s author / freelance journalist. I mainly work from home or a local cafe, but this also takes me around the country and around the world a bit too. I’ve been fairly nomadic the last decade but am looking to put a base down somewhere nearer to a surf beach to better use to my spare time. I’m northern, love food and going for hikes/swims/surfs with mates. I have a 2 year old husky called Yamba who has been well socialised with other pets and children throughout his life. He is currently living with a cat and 2 other dogs. Recently, I’ve been looking to buy a place of my own, but am unsure on the area, so hoping to get back down to the south west and make some friends/get a my barings for a while and see how it goes instead. Previously lived in Bristol and Exeter. Happy to answer any questions.