Helensburgh - nice place to live?

[thetaylors]

Hi there

Just looking for advice from any mums out there who live or have lived in Helensburgh.. We may be moving up that way later this year (not navy) and I have heard mixed reports. The scenery, location, architecture all really appeal to me but I have heard reports that there is a lot of deprivation and anti-social behaviour. Someone mentioned in another post that it is a town of two halves.....can anyone elaborate on this?

I really want somewhere safe to bring up my 2 kids, with decent schools and access to the countryside.... But I also want to be able to walk to shops, toddler groups etc - on paper Helensburgh may fit the bill but any first-hand experience would be so helpful.

Thank you!

Don't have much direct experience, but talking to dh he confirms that there is an uphill/downhill divide - but doesn't know enough about it to elaborate.

We know the rugby club (uphill ) and the kids and parents are great. He has a friend (a lawyer) who lives close to the rugby club and he loves the town. His kids go to state school.

I know that Hermitage, the secondary, has a good reputation. It's moved into a new build and looks very impressive (we pass it on the way to the rugby club when we're playing them).

Sorry I can't be more help.

Thank you, that is a helpful start!

Hi, I'm near Helensburgh (Dumbarton). It's a nice quiet scenic town, quite posh - good schools, good housing - but not very much to do - you'd need to head into Dumbarton and clydebank for things like cinema, and more well known shops.

Hermitage Academy is a very good school and Lomond School (private) also good.

I've never heard of anti social behaviour to be honest.

You should look for houses in cardross, lovely wee village. Dumbarton, Balloch, Alexandria and Clydebank aren't as 'posh' but have much more to do I feel.

Feel free to get in touch with me for more info and let me know when you move up. How old are your DCs? My DD is 7.

Thank you so much, that is really helpful. I'm not too bothered about being able to walk to cinema, big shopping area or anything like that, local shops is fine. I will check out Cardross too as that also has a train station. We may end up deciding to be a bit closer to Glasgow, not sure yet. Mine are 1.5 and 3 so a fair bit younger than yours. Thanks again!

There is a massive divide. It's a classic have and have not split.

It's only about 45 mins to Glasgow on the train from Helensburgh. 30 mins on the train from Dumbarton and balloch.