Help me chose where to live! Commutable to Glasgow

[foolssilver]

We are so stuck and looking for reccomendations. Neither of is know the area (apart from Glasgow) and have no family connections so can go anywhere.

Requirements are:

Commutable to Glasgow with 45 mins max

Good schools

Would like a sense of community and ability to make friends. Niether of us have many friends here so important.

Have a budget of up to £220 so no where too extravagant.

A bit of a village feel, although doesn't need to be an actual village if you know what I mean.

To give an idea we really like Bridge of Weir but nothing is coming up in our price range. We are bursting out of our flat so needing to move asap.

Thank you!

I came in to say eagles ham too! If you're looking out Ayrshire way then look at symington which is in between Kilmarnock and prestwick.

Its probably right on the limit of your 45 mins, but how about Aberfoyle? It's a wee place, amazing scenery, primary school seemed nice (Secondary school is, I think, Callander).

I also suggest Eaglesham or Waterfoot.

You might have to wait for some of the cheaper housing to go on sale. Neither is huge and people like living there so there isn't always loads for sale.

Eagle's ham - is it naive, though?

Sorry, just tickles me

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-45526294.html O/O £190, 3 beds, 2 sheds...

How many bedrooms do you need op?

The issue with bow is that there are properties on for less than your budget and a lot more - we had a similar budget and has the same problem. We bought in a nearby village instead and love it

There is Langbank, kilbarchan, kilmacolm, Houston, bishopton.

naice FFS

When you say 45 min commute do you mean by train to Central?

45 mins on the train to queen St takes you as far as Falkirk & Stirling.

Or do you mean a 45 min drive in rush hour traffic? polloksheilds

For good schools (I'm assuming high in league table) go to East Renfrewshire or East Dunbartonshire but these are expensive places.

Dunblane, balfron and Linlithgow schools do well but these are at the edge of your search zone and are also expensive!

houston is in the catchment of gryffe high iirc.

That's where I work op. I live in Newton Mearns over shares which is good as there's 2 train stations, about 30 minutes to Central using the park and ride.

Houston and bridge of weir are gryffe catchment

Pacific it definitely is 'naice' freshly bought at the local Newton Mearns M&S or Waitrose don't you know...

Fine Aberfoyle is gorgeous but that's not going to be anywhere near a 45 min commute in winter I'm afraid.

45 mins drive ideally, as I said I could push that a bit. I can also do flexi so could hopefully avoid worst of traffic if I avoid the 8 to 9 worst drives. This is all stuff I need to think about though so great that it is being raised. 45 mins obviously could change to double that with an incident on the roads.

Harverina I know exactly what you mean. We are in the totally wrong budget range as nothing good comes up in BoW between £180k and £220k. I need to win the lottery! This is why after 4 months of waiting for something to come up we have decided to expand the search.

Sorry missed a few questions.

Need 3 beds but would also like a driveway and garden. I know we aren't going to get dream house with that figure so am realistic about what we can achieve.

Re schools again quite realistic, just want somewhere decent. If we can get high league tables then that is brilliant but doesn't have to be.

How about this in BofA?

www.s1homes.com/Houses-for-sale/2014082710321293.shtml

Budget might be tight and not many photos of the inside so might need a bit of decorating etc. but its near the station for Glasgow, has access to a good primary and for High School you could do Dunblane High and kids can take the train 2 mins up the road.

Bridge of Allan is lovely and Dunblane High is No3 in the country.

Helensburgh.
Trains every 30 mins to Glasgow/Edinburgh, Waitrose, independent shops, Dinos ice cream!

My mum would never let me go out drinking in Helensburgh. She said that's where all the tarts went to find a sailor!

Strathblane? Milngavie? The latter is prob too pricey but the former has all ranges and nice and villageu with lovely school

How about sunny Largs? www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-28769715.html

I forgot about Strathaven, it has a very good school and community. I don't think there is a station, but you could drive to one.

What about this one? www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-49357216.html fairly new, 4 beds, conservatory and garage?

You need a starting reference or you will go round in circles, you are looking in a massive area of west and central scotland - what about using secondary schools as your first guide? You could go down the league table and see if your budget allows you to live in catchment, then think about what you want from the place- do you want the option to commute by train? Do you want more rural? Budget is a limiting factor - excludes most of East Renfrewshire and places like Dunblane i reckon.

If you fancy Bridge of Weir what about Houston or Elderslie

Houston has excellent schools not sure what the schools are like in Eldeslie but you'll get a lot more house for your money than BoW

Both are within easy commute of Glasgow and close to the airport

Dunblane isn't completely out of budget but not a lot comes up in that range. However you won't need to live in catchment to get a place I am fairly certain. at the moment they are actively seeking placing requests due to falling school rolls in catchment.

Neilston, Troon or prestwick. Would recommend train commute from Troon/prestwick, really easy, unless you need your car.

Not Kilmarnock.