East Kilbride as an area?

[Elainerob]

Does anyone know what East Kilbride is like for families? I am expecting my first baby in September, and we need to move from our one bedroom flat in the Southside. Would like to move to a nice area and get a house with a garden. Was looking at Clarkston, which is lovely, but our budget doesn't stretch very far there! Someone suggested we'd get a lot more for our money in East Kilbride - does anyone know this area? Any views, biased included, are welcome! Many Thanks :)

[MeRightYouWrongMeBigYouSmall]

I was born and brought up in East Kilbride, I'm 29 and I've lived in Cheshire now for 3 years but all my family still live in EK

I'm happy to answer any questions.

Mahoosive shoppping centre, people are friendly - you get idiots in every place though IMO, good public transport, many schools have been knocked down since I was there though, not sure whether they have all been replaced.

What ele would you like to know?

[CURLYMAMMA]

I'd go for Eaglesham before East Kilbride. Better schools.

[MeRightYouWrongMeBigYouSmall]

Eaglesham, yes - but the OP was on about budgets, she'd probably get more for her money in EK - as Easglesham is quite rural in places and the prices reflect that

[EKlass]

I live in EK and have been here for 5 years. I think the transport links from EK are probably better than Eaglesham (well, on a train line at least). We too looked at other parts of the Southside but settled on EK as you do definitely get more for your money. I think the other older areas might have more soul and look better than EK though.

I stay in Stewartfield and can walk most places (like to the town centre) and I like that. I think the schools are ok though don't have the same reputation as ones in East Renfrewshire. My dc aren't old enough yet to have tested them out! hth

[geordieminx]

I live in uddingston but spend a fair amount of time up there, lovely shopping centre, calderglen park, some nice restaurants. It's quite a big area, there are nice bits.. Think around the village and out towards stewartfield are good?

Certainly good for families. Would also look at cambuslang,rutherglen,uddingston?

[KristinaM]

Me right -Ek has 3 brand new secondaries and lots of new primary schools. Variable reputations but not as good as east renfrewshire

Stamperland is cheaper than clarkston and schools there are excellent

[MeRightYouWrongMeBigYouSmall]

geordieminx - near Viewpark?

[MeRightYouWrongMeBigYouSmall]

Kristina - I've only noticed the new college next to the bowling - where are the secondaries?

I went to Ballerup, has that been rebuilt?

[colette]

My friend moved from the southside to EK about 4 years ago in order to get a house rather than a flat, however she finds it quite cut off and misses being able to walk to different areas . She has very little going on near her - just one big housing estate

[geordieminx]

Not far from Viewpark but far enough

[MeRightYouWrongMeBigYouSmall]

geordieminx - i spent my teenage years with a load of nasties boys from Viewpark, totally different world!

[geordieminx]

I don't think it's as bad these days, a lot of the homes have been bought privately.

[MeRightYouWrongMeBigYouSmall]

geordie - you can't polish a turd

[darleneconnor]

You would def want 2 cars if you lived there. Good for kids but a lack of pubs/restaurants/nightlife.

One of the catholic high schools there used to be one of the best in scotland but it has now been merged with a low league table school.

[KristinaM]

Me right -Claremont and Hunter Highs merged in 2008 to become the new Calderglen high school

Ballerup is closed and duncamrigg got a new building about 3 years ago too

St Andrews and st brides merged to become ...well... St Andrews and st brides ( I know, you'd think they could have found a one saint to agree on)

Calderglens reputation is rising, apparently the new HT is pushing hard. Apparently The parents love him and the complacent old style staff hate him

[bethelbeth]

I grew up in EK. Good memories, plenty of green space and freedom as you could play in the woods at Calderglen one day or go swimming at the Dollan Baths the next... quite varied.

The 'locals' can be a bit there are good and bad areas. The new areas like Stewartfield tend to be quite popular but the public transport isn't great.
Calderwood has a nicer end and a not nice end so it's worth keeping in mind.

I went to the pre-merged Calderglen Academy. I can vouch that the teachers who moved there were fabulous (they've got rid of all the old horrors.) and the extra curricular activities seem to be great.

Bus and train service are both quite good and regular depending on which area you move to.

[Elainerob]

Thank you everyone for your advice and comments, it's great to hear from people who know the area. Still undecided about where to live, I'm sure it'll work out :)

[queenebay]

I live here and love it. Been here 15 years now. Schools are great, we are on bus route, town centre is 5 mins away, supermarkets are short ride away.
Only thing is I did find it was quite cliquey, took me ages to make friends with people as i found people had kept their friends from school.
We bought ex local authority house and its great, really big and large garden. Much bigger than the houses you get in stewartfield and Lindsayfieild for less money

[tallulahxhunny]

I moved from belfast to East kilbride 5 years ago, i stayed there 3 years then moved to southside. I loved east kilbride!! i have 2 children then aged 3yrs and 2 yrs I found it really easy to get around (but i drive) I would move back there in a heartbeat, i lived in sycamore place. Lovely area with great neighbours. i would recommend it to anyone!

[SusanneLinder]

I also live in East Kilbride, been here for 10 years and love it.DH is EK born and bred. I also live in an ex EK development house (hardly any houses in EK were ever ACTUALLY council houses :). I was also a "soo-sider," and to be honest, I love it so much here, the thought of living in Glasgow again (or even going in there) brings me out in hives. Too many people,too busy. Wide open spaces up here (mostly).

Bad Stuff about EK-there are pockets of Ek, I wouldn't live in.Parts of Calderwood,Greenhills,Westwood and The Murray.These only apply to streets though,not the whole area. I live in one of these "areas", and never had any problems. The town centre is not as it used to be,due to recession.They need to sort the Stuart Hotel at the bus station.This has been promised though.Oh and the roundabouts...lol. But means traffic flows a bit freer,unless you try the Whirlies at 8.30am. :)

Good stuff about EK-even with the new schools, they are fine.Pretty high up the league tables. 2 of my 3 DD's were at Duncanrig, my youngest is at St Andrew's St Bride's (long personal story which is irrelevant).Both good schools, and I know the Head at Duncanrig, and he runs with an iron rod.:) One of my girls is at Uni,as are there friends, and my 2nd DD is going this year.Transport is great, and easy to get everywhere.Unless you buy a new build,you get a lot of house for your money here.Lots to do, and you aren't far from countryside. Everything makes the EK news. If someone gets wing mirrors broken from cars,it makes the EK news! Very strong on Anti Social Behaviour here.

Yes East Renfrewshire schools usually perform slightly better,but they are quite oversubscribed. Someone mentioned Stamperland.I always thought it was a good area until DD went riding with some people from Clarkston/Busby area, and lets say,it isn't as good as it used to be unfortunately.

Tallulahxhunny-I am about 5-10 minutes walk from you! :)

[Blottedcopybook]

I'm in Calderwood (near the shops, so the nice end!) - moved here with my hubby and we've been here five years now. It's just a brilliant place to raise a family to be honest, lovely neighbours and a very everyone-knows-everyone environment.

Someone mentioned schools - the schools may not perform as well as East Renfrewshire but last year's league tables had Calderglen performing on a par with Jordanhill, which was the best-performing school in Glasgow. I'm happy to take that!

[SilkySilky]

Moved from Queens Park flat to Stewartfield EK to get a driveway and wee garden. Great town to raise kids with ice rink, cinema, parks and big shops. Primary schools rebuilt and seem good. Plenty 3 bed houses for sale in Stewartfied and knock 10k off asking price as a buyers market.

[ednasoraya]

Hi! Im in Aberdeen with 3 boys age 12,9,2. We are planning to move to East Kilbride due to work. Any best places to live in this area with good schools?? Thank you

[TrollTheRespawnJeremy]

Hi Edna, nothing to add that hasn't already been mentioned. All of the schools in East Kilbride are much of a muchness.

link to article about exam results [[http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/local-news/brilliant-exam-results-delight-east-10956073]]

Assuming that you'll be looking for a 4 bedroom property. These tend to be more common in the newer areas like Lindsayfield or Stewartfield. Both are a bit remote for schools/public transport.

If you want the boys to have a bit more freedom and be within walking distance of their schools you might be better looking at the older districts.

East Mains, West Mains are generally 'naice', parts of Calderwood and St Leonards too.

If you settle for a High School that you like the sound of, they usually have 'feeder' primaries nearby.

[ednasoraya]

Thank you very much for your help!
I will have a look in the league table. As very useful have an upadate of the area a more recently one! Thank you again