South East England to Scotland (Ayrshire?)

[lovesT]

Looking for advice on areas in Scotland - Ayrshire/ Dumfries and Galloway area). Grateful for any responses! :)

Small, young family - myself, husband and 5 month old baby. Currently living in Kent (renting small outbuilding from DH parents). Feeling the need to move out and for a long time have considered Scotland (some family up there, much cheaper, enjoy outdoors, not bothered about cooler weather. Both of us on low incomes, especially for this area (I'm currently on maternity leave but worked in a school as support staff). DH works in maintenance at an outdoor activity centre.

We live in the country side in a small village, about 15 minute drive from nearest town. We are happy with this sort of area but would be happy slightly more rural or slightly less rural if there was the right house/ area. We prefer to be a bit further out from towns so rural doesn't bother us as long as there is a primary school and a couple of shops and could easily drive to a town nearby.

We'd love a 3 bedroom house for expansion of family and a fairly big garden. We don't mind being near other houses but as DH does lots of axe work as part of his small business (and occasionally chainsawing) we would prefer a detached house where we wouldn't disturb neighbours. (We would plan for him to have a workshop, either build one or use outbuilding if there was already one there).

We have looked at areas/ villages around Girvan and a few closer to Ayr and done a bit of research but would love any recommendations? Aside from Covid situation we would be looking at moving within the next year and a half, hopefully sooner. Currently thinking about staying with some family for a few months up there to be able to look for jobs and houses more easily. Budget depends on job situation but having saved probably looking at 200,000 being absolute limit, probably less.

Thank you if you have read this, feel free to ask any questions for more clarity and let me know if any advice/ recommendations.

Thanks!

Bump

Hi there, @lovesT! Sorry this might be a bit late but I was also considering locating to Ayr with my husband when we buy our first place together in a year or two. I travelled to Ayr in the past month or so (not sure if you've been / been recently, so I'll give you some boring details haha!). The beach-side element is definitely a big selling point, as there are a good amount of houses that would sell for under 200k that would probs be 10 minutes away from the beach (if that's your thing). The city centre has it's perks and downsides, like all centres do, but has some nice old architecture - a bit grubby in parts but where isn't? From what I've seen at least, it's mostly young families and those who are retired, so a more or less calm environment. Also this might be a very presumptious factor, but if at all you are worried about a culture shock of any kind then I'd say Ayr or St Andrews' both have a good percentage of English people (this will seem mad if it doesn't worry you, but some people feel quite bothered about this stuff!). I've also heard Coylton is a relatively nice area at a bit cheaper price. Let me know if you want any more info, not sure if any of this helped at all really? Felt I should provide my services as a Scot tho! Good luck x

@peachpuppy thank you for replying! We have visited Ayr but only once when we were up with family, and we have been around the area a few times. We are looking anywhere around Dumfries and Galloway at the moment (mostly dreaming!) but with the idea that we plan to move there in the next year or so. Do you know much about the Castle Douglas area? It looks good as it's near to Dumfries but also quite rural (some villages near by). I can't seem to find much about schools though! We won't have to worry about that for a few years but we would need to keep primary schools in mind when moving for the future.

It's also good to know about the culture shock. It's not something we are too worried about, but from what some people have said I just hope we would be welcome as English people! I have not too distant relatives who were actually from Scotland so I feel I have a connection 😄 (grand parents and great grandparents ...).

Thank you again for your reply!

Can't say I've ever been to Castle Douglas honestly, was always a few hours out of my way no matter where I was hahaha! My sister is / was living in Dumfries for her work, and I think she really enjoys it there. Rural areas are often the nicest places to live in Scotland honestly, you get maximum landscape and minimum addicts hahaha. Though be aware that schools are often very small in areas that are remote in any way - there were a few near me that had about 10 people total. Could also be a bit of a trek if you're driving through hills as opposed to a usual city commute! As for the culture shock, (possibly biased) but Scottish people are usually very friendly - think it's a big cultural thing. If you live anywhere remote or in a small town / village, you'll probably end up knowing everyone and speaking to most people whenever you go out!

Not sure if any of this was of actual use, but even a bit of comfort during or prior to a move sometimes helps xx

It's doable. I have a friend who comes from Castle Douglas and it's a pleasant place. I can see the attraction of somewhere rural if you're going to be noisy but I think with very young children you don't want to be too rural. Better to soundproof the outhouse.