Aberdeen

[mrsawhite]

Hello.

DH and I are hoping to move to Aberdeen late summer. We have family there (city centre) so would like to be nearby. But still have our own lives. Any recommendations for nice villages/small towns? Also TTC so places with good schools too. Also places to avoid? We have a dog so good walks nearby essential.

I've got a friend in Banchory which is meant to have good schools. Also relatives in Ellon which again has good schools.

Depends on your budget and where you will be working (hopefully the new AWPR will make commuting a bit easier - the Dee and Don bridges used to be big bottlenecks) but you could look at Cults and Bieldside on the western edge of the city - house prices have dropped a lot over the last few years. Cults Primary feeds into Cults Academy. Peterculter is cheaper, but still with good schools, whilst Milltimber is lacks any local shops. Both these also feed into Cults Academy.

You’d also have easy access to the Old Deeside line for walks, but there are lots of good walking areas within a short drive.

Otherwise Banchory is a nice small country town with good schools.

I’d give Kingswells a miss, as there is nothing much there, and Westhill is a bit soulless. Bridge of Don is huge and sprawling and the schools are a bit so so.

We are in Banchory; nice town with 2 primary schools and a good secondary. Very good for outdoor activities; there is easy access to woodland, river walks, hills, and Aberdeen is about a 30 minute drive.
I understand the AWPR has made a big difference to commuting times from the north so that's a more attractive option now. Have a look on the ASPC to see what you can get for your budget. Good luck!

Continuity I'm in the Bridge of Don and the schools are, I think, good. Obviously everyone's experience is different.

You might find this useful OP: www.thescottishsun.co.uk/news/4020266/scotland-secondary-schools-results-chart-best-worst-highers/

Sorry, thought you'd a kid in primary hence the link! I really like Aberdeen and I'm sure you'll find somewhere great to stay.

Lisette1940 From your own link BoD Academy isn’t performing as well as other city and shire schools - ranked 201 compared to Banchory at 13, the Grammar at 15 and Cults at 16 (all of these getting 60% or more for children attaining at least 5 Highers).

Yes that's right but Old Machar Academy is doing very well. The Bridge of Don is a large area, as you've said. It has two Academies.

In Aberdeen City the ranking is Cults, Aberdeen Grammar, Old Machar.

Sorry, Grammar then Cults!

Sorry! Forgot about Oldmachar.

No stress Continuity. Banchory's a lovely part of the world with great schools. The AWPR has made a big difference to commute times around Aberdeen. Just drumming my fingers over the Art Gallery now....

We've thought about Banchory. Also Stonehaven. But not sure about schools? DH not so keen on portlethen