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Welcome to Scotsnet - discuss all aspects of life in Scotland, including relocating, schools and local areas.

Original poster

Looking for a house near to Stirling - no idea what areas to consider!

178 replies

FallingGoldfinch · 29/04/2015 16:42

Any help very gratefully received.

We'd like 4 beds, large rooms if possible (or potential to knock rooms through, maybe extend).

Has to be semi-rural, no close neighbours, ideally a converted steading or similar.

Don't mind a bit of doing-up, but really don't want to rip things out that I hate but are seen as 'features' by estate agents (Aga, wood burning stoves, that sort of thing).

Ideally within 20 minutes or so of Stirling University.

I've checked Dunblane, Bridge of Allan, Auchterarder, Dollar - not sure where else I should look as I suspect the place I want maybe won't have an actual town name if that makes sense.

Thank you Smile.

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wigglybeezer · 30/04/2015 12:29

I shouldn't come on these threads, I like where I live but can't help hankering after the occasional dream house, I have an unrealistic desire for a paddock! Just seen some nice (but expensive) properties in Port of Mentieth.

OneMagnumisneverenough · 30/04/2015 12:31

I live 5 minutes at most from the Uni, I have 4 bedrooms but not rural, not big rooms and very close nosy but nice neighbours - you can have it for 400k though :o

BloodyDogHairs · 30/04/2015 13:11

I can't do links but google Headswood house, denny...looks lovely.

haggisaggis · 30/04/2015 13:32

Braco - Crieff High is catchment. We lived close to Braco and some people had placing requests to Auchterarder - but that was before the new High at Crieff was built. I know a few kids at Crieff and think they are doing OK.

Original poster
FallingGoldfinch · 30/04/2015 14:01

I wouldn't risk an auction Bloody - wouldn't know where to start!

Braco looks like there are a few decent ones, thank you.

No thanks to your neighbours OneMagnum . . .

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OneMagnumisneverenough · 30/04/2015 14:02

I lived in Denny - briefly - hated it.

tormentil · 30/04/2015 14:12

Dunblane/BOFA might not give you your ideal house, but it's great for teen children: easy walking to railway station for Glasgow and Edinburgh (concerts and shopping). Children can walk to school too. You can live on the edge of either place and have countryside on one side at least.
(Brought up three children in Dunblane).

Original poster
FallingGoldfinch · 30/04/2015 14:29

I'm just as interested in bad points as good - we're all anonymous here, so please feel free to tell me what to look out for in areas. What was wrong with Denny?

I'm not bothered about teens being able to access stuff tormentil - we've lived in quite an isolated bit for a while, so they're used to it. Quite like keeping them to myself and they like having an excuse not to hang around outside chip shops! Driving them around a bit if needs be isn't a problem anyway.

It's much more important that I don't have close neighbours and that it's someone I can walk the dog/get more dogs, and still be within decdent quick drive of DP's work. All the other stuff is a bonus, but I definitely like newer houses and conversions more than old/character ones.

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clr2014 · 30/04/2015 14:37

Just no to Denny Wink

Mrsjayy · 30/04/2015 14:44

Denny isnt really rural and its to far really and dead rough i worked thsre years ago

Original poster
FallingGoldfinch · 30/04/2015 14:49

That's what I need to know!

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OneMagnumisneverenough · 30/04/2015 14:56

Denny is one of those weird places that you can't really live in unless you have had at least 5 generations live there before you - town centre is a shit hole though i believe now that its a pile of rubble its a lot more attractive ;)

I realise that you'd probably only be accessing for things like local shopping/amenities etc but that's not great either - lived there for a year and a half (most of which was after we sold up and were waiting to move) had one takeaway and it was bogging. The supermarket has converted to a Sainbos now so probably a bit better. health centre always seemed okay. Think the school can be a bit "rough". (before anyone has a go, I was brought up on a rough Edinburgh council estate so I am not posh myself - i'd just choke a bit if I was paying 400k for a house and wasn't happy with the High School) I have no idea how good a school it is. For example I think Wallace High does a lot of things a lot better than Dunblane High but mine go as placing to dunblane as it suits them better so I don't think it is all about academics (i know more than one person that got 5 As at Higher at Wallace though)

I think you'll find BofA a bit more accommodating to strangers mainly due to the Uni etc. You get a lot of families that settle for a few years due to lecturer postings, research grants etc so the population is a bit more eclectic. There probably are areas where it's a bit more cliquey (Upper BofA?) but while I don't live there, I'm not far away and I find most people fine. I am not posh or status orientated.

OneMagnumisneverenough · 30/04/2015 14:59

Oh and don't know if anyone has said try Gargunnock too?

wigglybeezer · 30/04/2015 15:20

Having been a teen in Dunblane ( versus my teens in Dollar) I am inclined to agree with tormentil ( and I certainly didn't hang about outside chips shops thank you very much and neither do any of the teens I know!).

I had an acquaintance who moved out of Dollar so that she could control the comings and goings of her children 100% and keep them away from potential trouble, these were very nice kids who went to Dollar Academy! I was a bit Hmm.

wigglybeezer · 30/04/2015 15:28

I did at the top of the thread, Onemagnum.

Original poster
FallingGoldfinch · 30/04/2015 16:19

I did see a converted church hall in Gargunnock that looked like it had potential but photos didn't reveal it was near a graveyard - I know I''m a wimp to even think that but . . .

('chip shop' was shorthand for whatever teenagers hang around outside - I have no idea if these places even have chip shops Grin )

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Original poster
FallingGoldfinch · 30/04/2015 16:23

Ah, looked at the virtual tour for that one - close to a road, and has neighbours nearby.

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Original poster
FallingGoldfinch · 30/04/2015 16:23

Ah, looked at the virtual tour for that one - close to a road, and has neighbours nearby.

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OneMagnumisneverenough · 30/04/2015 16:23

Not all teens hand about outside stuff, I did! mine don't either - I think the technological age killed that habit for a lot - mine prefer to be in the comfort of their bedroom, hanging out virtually :o

I wouldn't be bothered about being near a graveyard - I have no belief in god or anything any other brand of woo.

Original poster
FallingGoldfinch · 30/04/2015 16:23

So important, I had to tell you all twice . . .

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Mrsjayy · 30/04/2015 16:35

Mne didnt hang about chip shops either i dont think many teens do really i cant drive mine had to get themselves on the bus to stirling i think i would go nuts being rural

wigglybeezer · 30/04/2015 16:38

graveyard, the ultimate in quiet neighbours.

Some of us may be feeling a tiny bit offended that you wouldn't want us as neighbours or your kids hanging out with ours Wink.

Off to cook an early tea as I have to run Ds1 to rugby practice, again.

Original poster
FallingGoldfinch · 30/04/2015 16:50

It wasn't about chip shops!

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BloodyDogHairs · 30/04/2015 17:16

Hahaha you would hate my area....chinese, Indian and chippy all beside each other. ...I hate my area too. My house looks on to a church and guaranteed every summer the local hard nut kids feel the need to climb on the roof.

I think you need Kirsty and Phil Grin

Original poster
FallingGoldfinch · 30/04/2015 17:29

I'd get distracted and need to have a word with her about all that tat she makes these days . . .

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