Where to live rurally with once/twice a week commute to Glasgow

[Marlus]

We are renting at the moment, with our 3 children (one in P2, pre-school twins. We've rented in quite a rural place for the last three years and prefer it over city living. I need to go into Glasgow two or three days per week, but can often stay over with a friend one night. Important are good schools, outside space, at least 4 bedrooms and a house that is more or less ready to move in, preferably with nice views. Somewhere with a good sense of community and where our children would be able to go see other kids without having to be ferried to an fro in time would be great. We have found some nice places we can afford near Moffat, (our maximum budget is 350k) but were wondering if there are other possibilities we are missing. If anyone has any suggestions, that would be fab.

What about South Lanarkshire
New Lanark
Carluke
Strathaven

Lanark?

Lockerbie, Annan are both near motorway and only another 10 minutes south of Moffat.
Over the Dalveen pass is pretty much the same time as from Moffat so Thornhill area.
Dumfries by bus or train is a long day but
Trains from Lockerbie are 1 hour and good timings.

Have a look at the villages to the NW of Stirling - Doune, Callander. Train station at Bridge of Allan, trains to Glasgow between 30-45 minutes depending on whether you catch the express. Or Dunblane which has its own train station!

Thanks Lipstick we're currently in Lesmahagow, so Strathaven is on our list, but seems a bit too expensive? We like Lesmahagow, but not many houses we fancy come up for sale, plus while we're very happy with the primary school, we've heard mixed things about the secondary, including from ex-pupils.

We've been keeping an eye on Lanark, burt if we are going to move, it would be great to be right in great countryside, another thing that is a bit missing from where we are now. Will check out Thornhill and Annan, have not heard of them before and take another look at Doune and Callander. Are these all places you would recommend?

Yes do keep in mind the feeder school system,so the primary will dretermine the HS. Popular schools can’t meet all placement request
Strathaven is popular and the Strathaven high is well regarded

Drymen is a fab village with great community. Easily commutable to Glasgow. Also liked Gartmore, Killearn and round there generally. Beautiful area

I don't know Thornhill and Annan personally, I'm afraid! Callander is a bit further from the train station than Doune but a bit more properly in the midst of the hills - lots of houses with great views of the crags / across the river. Doune is down in a wee dell so is a bit less awe-inspiring if you see what I mean (Callander main street has a whacking great mountain for its backdrop!) but still very pretty green countryside. I'd say Callander would be better for kids, especially slightly older ones, as that's where the local high school is.

What about Ayrshire?

With three children i would also be thinking longer term. Being handy for city/ town can be invaluable for activities and opportunities for the dc. One of my dc is a great at sports so being on the edge of a city but having lots for her to try has been very beneficial.

Peebles is a thriving town - though cross country.
Dunblane as pp mentioned.
Strathaven - looking at zoopla £350 seems ok.
Don't discount Glasgow hinterland - e.g. Eaglesham or Bearsden /Strathblane can feel very rural.

Strathblane / Blanefield feels rural and has lovely views, hills, etc and is really close to Glasgow. Or Balfron and Killearn a wee bit further out. Balfron would be the local high school for all these villages, each has their own primaries.

Thanks all for great suggestions. Drymen etc sound wonderful. Has anyone seen any houses that look good? Will have a look myself tomorrow.

Just a vote for Balfron High

Definitely Thornhill or one of the lovely villages up and down the A76. In mine I can walk past a dozen people (some I know, some I have seen around and others complete strangers) and every single one will say "Morning" or give you a nod, a smile or a wave. It's lovely.

It's also my city dweller sister's idea of hell 😂

Have you considered Biggar and areas around it ? Beautiful countryside and you could be right out in the country if you wanted. No train station though.

Lots of good suggestions
What about Houston nr paisley and yes eaglesham
Do check out which primary school goes to which high school if you have particular needs/preference

thanks Cannae, I like the look of this house, is it in the right kind of area?

www.zoopla.co.uk/for-sale/details/44358028?search_identifier=02796dd6b815996bc08aa48a0df097e0#GDIHZfoWrhotgeig.97

That’s gorgeous house!who would not like that

chapthedoor my husband works in Biggar, but it seems like it's quite the trek to Glasgow from there. He's thinking of moving jobs, otherwise it would be a really good option.

Love that house !

That's a shame about Biggar but it probably is too far to commute. Have you thought about Clyde Valley? Crossford Rosebank Hazelbank. Much closer to Glasgow but still rural

Yes that house is in the right area.
It is lovely.
The nith Valley is a lovely area and the schools are very good. Wallacehall Academy is very well thought of my eldest did well there

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-66029801.html

There's this just outside Kippen (Sorry don't know how to link yet). Would be Balfron High School which is very good as far as I know. Can't see the floorplan properly on my phone. It looks like it might need a re-jig on the ground floor. Definitely needs painting! But the Fixed Price seems very good.

Oh wow! I linked!!

@Marlus yes that's exactly the thing what I was thinking of. (I'm a Zoopla addict and know every house for sale in 40 miles 😂)
Wallace Hall Academy is a very good school as is Sanquhar Academy and we don't really have the issues in this area of struggling getting school placements. You want in? You're pretty much in.
House prices are a steal.