Moving to the Aberdeenshire - schools? Nice places to live!?

[MumHoldingTheFort]

Hi everyone

It’s looking like we’ll be relocating to Aberdeen area for my husbands job sooner rather than later. We’ve got 3 boys, 14, 4 and 2 so need to think secondary and primary. Where should we be looking for good schools? We’re semi rural at the moment so would like something similar. I’m familiar with all the industrial type areas from my old job role pre children but no clue for residential areas and schools.

Any help or opinions will be much appreciated.

Thank you

I'm in the city not shire but Cults Academy is very good.

And finally the Aberdeen Art Gallery has opened!

Have a look at the Westhill/Kingswells area. Semi rural - and well situated to get to all parts of Aberdeenshire. Things are better now the bypass is open.

I'd look at the suburbs to the West (as Chocolate Dragon says). Kingswells technically still in Aberdeen city, Westhill is in Aberdeenshire but both short commutes to city centre with countryside nearby, and very handy for the airport and the new bypass (if you're moving to Aberdeen and have family based elsewhere will make it much easier to visit them).
Good primary schools, nice areas, but not ridiculously expensive. My experience of the primary schools in the area is that a lot of families have moved from elsewhere in the UK/the world so it's not cliquey and there's no feeling of being "the outsider" iyswim.

I don't know as much about secondary schools, Cults is probably the best performing state school in the area but have heard anecdotally that they may take steps to skew the results a little in their favour.

Cults (quite expensive) is nice too as is the new development between Hazlehead and Cults (can't remember the name but its massive!) Although not sure what the school situation is with the new development.

If you want more semi rural and less suburban then I know less about the villages further out, but tbh you don't have to drive for very long at all before it starts to feel very rural!
What I love about Aberdeen is you can have the best of both worlds... Live within 6 miles of the city centre and still have the countryside on your doorstep.

Depends where in the city your husband's job is based, if it's on one of the industrial/business parks on the edges of the city, I'd want to avoid living on the opposite side of the city, unless you can access via the new bypass.

Thank you all, that’s really helpful. Husband’s job would be right in the city centre I believe, near Union Street but he is more than willing to commute. We are toying with the idea of renting for a couple of years before taking the plunge for a permanent move (we’re currently in Cumbria) Lots to think about so thank you all again for you help.

We are out in Banchory; 17 miles from Aberdeen and regular buses in if you prefer not to drive. Small town, plenty to do, lovely countryside around. 2 primaries which are both good and an excellent secondary, Banchory Academy. We moved here 11 years ago from the central belt & are very happy here.

We did a stint in Banchory quite a while back. It’s great commuting distance and countryside’s enough. The roads were excellent and even in the winter they are well maintained and even he drivers are sensible during bad weather. So you’d be covered for schools there but you can live in a smaller neighbouring village if you find a property you like. And the older can get to Cults Academy by bus if you can’t to the school run.
All around there it’s more of a transient community and people (both locals, well settled outsiders or temporary living there due to work) are very nice. Standard of living is high (no waiting for gp appointments, very good roads, schools were very good, you have access to any shops you might need, easy to get to an airport etc)
You must organise a trip to visit all the schools.
I hope you’ll settle quickly and enjoy it.
I absolutely hated life there but needs must, that’s where the money were and it was just one of many other places we had to move to and from.. however, if you are away from the town, it is a great place for children and family life in general.

Rental market is still pretty good for renters in Aberdeen at the moment I believe due to the effects of the downturn. Things are picking up in the city, but prices haven't fully recovered yet.