Stonehaven area vs Deeside

[MamaLM]

Hi! Wondering if anyone out there can help, planning a move next year to either Stonehaven or Deeside (i.e. Banchory/ Peter Culter...)
Does anyone that lives in the area have any idea where would be best to relocate? I have a 2 year old and would be looking to live somewhere with groups for little ones to meet other mums/ good nurseries/ schools.

TIA

Don't know Stonehaven that well, Banchory has good primary schools and a good secondary but is a bit out in the country. I'd look at Peterculter (Culter) which has a very good primary and is in the catchment for Cults Academy if you're thinking of staying long term. Milltimber is a bit soulless (no shops), Bieldside / Cults has a decent primary.

If you're looking to buy a house, as the oil price is low you should be able to get good deal on the fringes of Aberdeen (some places are selling at below fixed prices), keep an eye on asking prices and then the actual selling prices.

Advantages of Stonehaven are that you are on the coast, on the A90 so Aberdeen and Dundee are easy to reach and not that far from Deeside anyway for the hills and forests etc...

Personally I would move to Auchenblae, Drumlithie, Fordoun, Laurencekirk area but that is because I live down in the SE of England I visit there every year and absolutely love it.

I was born in Maryculter, so south Deeside and lived in both Portlethen and Stonehaven. I love Stonehaven and consider it my home town. It is on the A90, and also has the train, so if you were commuting into Aberdeen, you have options. If you have children, it was a fabulous place to grow up in, although I appreciate I am getting on and the town has changed.

Banchory is also lovely. It depends on if you are commuting into Aberdeen or not.

Ah, I'm homesick now.

Stonehaven is lovely and really conveniently located too. I'm in Laurencekirk, which is about 15 mins to the south, and it's a fair bit smaller (but I really love it here too). Both have quite a lot going on in the local community and easy access into Aberdeen via road and rail. And you're around some beautiful countryside and outdoor pursuits (and beaches. St Cyrus beach is one of our favourites).

I’m in stonehaven and love it- perfect place to bring up kids with heaps of activities as well as beautiful beach with board walk great for little kids, woodland, castle etc. Open air pool in summer too has a wee paddling pool. Very good schools including secondary (Mackie)
The only disadvantages are being slightly further away from Aberdeen (but commutes much reduced with bypass being open plus regular trains) and houses are more expensive than Portlethen/Newtonhill. Similar to Banchory/ Peterculter in price probably. We might be selling our house soon but will be staying in Stonehaven area (have been here more than 10 years and not planning to leave - it’s definitely ‘home’ now)

Thanks for the replies! Lots to think about...still very torn🙈 It would be lovely to live by the sea so swaying to Stonehaven!