Which one?

[inmyshoos]

Option A, house in the country with tiny village school (31 pupils) and high school(200 pupils) nearest city Inverness. No public transport to talk of but very beautiful surroundings. Have friends within half hour.

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-42433316.html?premiumA=true

Option B, house on outskirts of town needs complete renovation but all within budget. Bigger schools(350 primary and 800 secondary) but have good reputation. Public transport good and can get train to Glasgow every half hour. Have family/friends within half an hour.

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-44931629.html

It is more the locations than the actual houses. But thought a bit of house porn would be appreciated!

Opinions on areas/location for raising a family please!

I need a bit more info, what DC do you have or plan on having (property A has bedrooms on different levels) and where do you have to travel for work?
I might be inclined towards B and renovation to my own style and standards.

As someone who grew up ins picturesque village in the middle of nowhere, for the sake of your DCs please choose option B!

Don't like the sound of those tiny schools, probably too small to have all the facilities to provide a broad curriculum, especially at secondary level. As teenagers your DCs will be marooned and will need you to ferry them about by car. And as soon as they possibly can they will move away from the area to somewhere more lively.

Kids are 6 8 and 10. Not planning anymore!

Dh works away so not worrying about location for work although option B obviously has more work opportunities in general.

Not so worried about the actual houses as there are plenty more houses in each area. House B is rare in that area however.

Already have in my head how option B could look!!

ongoldenpond thanks helpful reply! I have thought of these things too but get all romantic at the idea of living in such a beautiful place. The reality, I know, is quite different!

B looks like it has the best of both worlds - quite a rural feel to the surroundings from what I can see but on the edge of a town? Plus while I am a fan of small communities, a school of only 31 children is really very small. Could be difficult socially if one of your children doesn't click with the other handful their age.

Option B, for the sake of better transport links. Although, option A is really nice.

Either way, I need to move away from London!

Wow the surroundings of A are stunning though - can see why you are tempted!

Definitely B then. It's going to come around quickly for your children to want some independence and the public transport will be important.
I also have a big of a thing about not having young DCs sleeping on a different floor from me.

B
Still looks quite rural. Best of both worlds IMO.

BBBBBB - what ongoldenpond said - especially re the teens and ferrying. But I am a city girl through and through so probably biased.

Option A would be great for a holiday, but as a permanent home the practicalities would overshadow those great views.

I would go for Option B. I believe Stewarton is a nice place to live. So close to Glasgow and yet lovely and green. Not far from the coast either.

I think house B would be an easier life perhaps!

B for all the same reasons.

What is the secondary for the Stewarton one and how does it perform?

AAAAAAAAAA!!!! the second one is souless - please please choose A then let me be your friend and come and visit! B looks like its on a busy road, wheres the village for B?

I would be happy to live near Inverness rather than Glasgow, but I think I would think Drumnadrochit too far out for kids of that age.

Are you an out doorsy family ? In which case the highlands might be more stimulating, if not then definitely the Glasgow area.

I grew up just outside of Inverness... it is stunning and the house is gorgeous but I must admit that living in such a remote location was tough once I reached teenage years. School was great as the numbers are small and so our education was brilliant but job market was so restrictive. We left when I was about 14 and the move to a city was a shock to me at the time but now I'm glad we did!

B - but would you also be able to buy the land behind and to the side?

If not, it might be worth checking who owns it/what plans are there for it as, looking at the arial photo it seems as though the original boundary of the land might have been the same as the neighbouring house at least at the back and, if that's the case I'd wonder why it's not being included in the sale.

School for house B is Stewarton Academy which has a good reputation. Glenurquhart is the one for A and also has good reputation. It has a totally different feel to it because it is so small and teachers know each pupil well.

Argh it is so tricky because that is the very thing that appeals to me. I want my dc to enjoy school and to be happy but I don't want them to be bored either. The living near family is also appealing so house B has that added appeal!

Moving house is so tricky once you have children to consider!!!!

moonlight think land must have been sold off years back as bit at back full of horse stuff and there is a pony in field to the side. Garden is still big without it anyway. We currently have a huge garden that tbh is a pain in summer just keeping it tidy/grass down etc.

Well that's good. Also, not that I'm biased, but if you have horses/ponies near too, then definitely, definitely House B!

I grew up in a smallish village with lots of friends and a big family but it was a pita!! Couldn't wait to learn how to drive so I wasn't reliant on my parents. I would choose B anyway. Option A looked a bit bland. I think B could be lovely

A

B looks like a large shed.

For the sake of your kids - option B. Option A looks far too lonely and isolated.