Where to live in Stirling

[Balloondog]

Any help and opinions welcomed.

DH and I are relocating to Stirling mid January and need to find a house ASAP.

Ideally we'd buy before we move as there doesn't seem to be a lot available to rent and we have cats and find most rental places aren't pet friendly. I will be commuting to Perth but on previous visits we didn't take to Perth and loved Stirling. DH will also be looking for work so Stirling seems to offer good connections to a number of places by road and rail. No children so schools aren't an issue.

We have a limited budget of £150K but would ideally like 2/3 beds and an outdoor space (for the cats!). We're quite happy to do up somewhere outdated especially if it means a nicer area (low crime, amenities within walking distance, parking) nor is this a forever home so we can compromise a fair bit. I've seen a number of 3 bed terrace type houses and some nice 2 bed flats on rightmove/Zoopla but I'm not sure of the areas. Obviously places like Bridge of Allan are out of our budget but what are the more affordable but nice areas?

TIA

What would be your maximum budget for a long term home?

Thanks @EmmaC78 and @StoorieHoose for the Linden Ave local info. This is what makes me nervous about buying without knowing an area well.

I'm torn between head (renting for 12 months til we know the city and environs better) and heart (we've lived in 7 different rental properties over the last 15 years and we've been waiting to buy for about three years but haven't been location secure due to jobs and I'm dying to have our own place and finally feel 'settled). Just writing that out made me realise I need to think a bit more sensibly

@EmmaC78
Around £350K

But there's only two of us and the cat so we don't need anything quite so big. It's more the style, walled garden, city location and living space that appeal to me about this one. DH says he'd miss having a garage which is a good point but not sure we'd find that in the city.

Hi OP where are you coming from out of interest? Would you consider the Falkirk area? I relocated here and there are some nice areas and close to the motorway etc x

We're coming from the North West of England. I would have considered Falkirk but it would make my commute over an hour each way (workplace is slightly further than Perth) and I think an hour -especially in the small country roads I have to navigate - is my limit. To be honest Stirling is pushing it but DH needs to find a job so we want to maximise his chances with easy access to Edinburgh and Glasgow so Stirling seems like a good compromise and we've loved it on numerous visits.

I think Stirling is great for commuting aspects and it's really good for shopping. We moved away now, but we visited last year and it's just about got everything now.
www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-85178114.html

This one looks okay. Its a bit further up the road and closer to st Ninians.

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-86226302.html

This one is nice too. In Dunblane (which is gorgeous) and not too far from the station.

If you've got a 350K budget, go for Bridge of Allan - it's got a lovely villagey feel & the high street has some great independent stores.

Or Dunblane for schooling. It's not as pretty though.

If you’re working in Perth have you considered some of the towns/villages a bit further south on the m90 as then you’ve easy access to Edinburgh too?

The M90 commute south over the bridge to Edinburgh is grim by car. There are train stations at Aberdour, Dalgety Bay etc, which would work for OP & her husband getting to work. Kinross is nice too, but there's no station.

Auchterarder & Dollar are both pretty but acceding Glasgow or Edinburgh isn't easy.

Yes, on your higher budget I would try to pick up a permanent home in Bofa or the north end of Stirling or Dunblane. Minutes to get onto the Keir roundabout and on your way to Perth or on at the next junction if you do the north end of Dunblane.

If you don't mind a little work, this is lovely and a great street, walkable into the village and train station, you can always jump on the train for the couple of minutes to stirling if you don't want to drive. And there are lovely walks from there with the dog, you can walk through the woods up to Dunblane (and train it home after a drink at the pub)

www.zoopla.co.uk/for-sale/details/53232918?search_identifier=402cb725edfd0c1892318bc0be2ee87e

Or this is lovely in Riverside in between your two budgets:

www.zoopla.co.uk/for-sale/details/52215328?search_identifier=abaf9681b6bd3aecd0f78333158a6f4d

Or this flat in a conversion property at the other end of Bridge of Allan but opposite memorial park and handy for walks up sherrifmuir and round the Uni.

www.zoopla.co.uk/for-sale/details/52202339?search_identifier=abaf9681b6bd3aecd0f78333158a6f4d

Modern house in Dunblane, quiet residential area and has paths through into the woods and also walks nearby (you can walk right down to Doune).

www.zoopla.co.uk/for-sale/details/52872569?search_identifier=f484e4ebe31b0f210d2aa21bdc99e2da

I like this bit of Dunblane, lovely walks by the river:

www.zoopla.co.uk/for-sale/details/53445810?search_identifier=3d90b62aca843420b9673f4c341e6502

Or another option would be Linlithgow- an easy commute going north over the bridge, against the traffic.

Very easy commute to both Glasgow & Edinburgh by train.

Excellent schools & a smaller town if that suits.

Scuse all the dog walking references OP. I promise I did read your post but for some reason was fixated on you having a dog!

The last one Wax posted is a great location for cat owners!! Very pretty location.

Thanks all for your thoughts and advice, we're in Stirling at the moment and have visited and really fallen in love with the Upper Bridge Street property. Upper Bridge Street, Stirling, Stirlingshire, FK8
www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-65768109.html

I know @EmmaC78 you said it's a good area. We're currently researching our socks off but could I ask if there are there any further positives or negatives you, @WaxOnFeckOff or anyone else can think of off the top of your heads?

Thanks all!

Glad you had a good time. I'm out and about so not opened the link again but my only comments of the top of my head are about parking which can be difficult/need a permit? Scout hut is in middle of the street so can get bad at drop off and pick up. Top of the town is quite a poor or mixed demographic and there are some homeless accommodation blocks around there.

I just want to say not all of Bannockburn is rough

Upper bridgestreet has a terrible antisocial element and drugs are rife at the top of the town.

Cambusbarron or Torbrex might suit you OP

That house is beautiful and I don't want to put a downer on you but it really isn't the best of areas imo.

Have you seen this one OP?

www.zoopla.co.uk/for-sale/details/photos/53666720?search_identifier=1dda0f5fc96075362c7a9a6859ef02ce

or this:

www.zoopla.co.uk/for-sale/details/53487924?search_identifier=1dda0f5fc96075362c7a9a6859ef02ce

Thanks all, that's really helpful!

After all that we're back to looking at rentals again (too much choice has turned out to be paralysing!). We've seen something in Highland Gate, one by Kings Park in Parkdyke and we're going to see one tomorrow in Ashley Terrace, Alloa.

Good luck OP. Sorry if we've made your job harder!

Obviously Alloa is the most awkward for you both in terms of getting to perth and getting to Glasgow or Edinburgh potentially for your DH but you do have a train line there now although it shuttles between Alloa and Stirling and sometimes gets cancelled and stops in Stirling But for a temporary option it's not likely to matter too much and you might find you are happy to be out of town. Highland gate obviously handiest for the motorway.

What line of work is your DH in? Is there likely to be anything local?

Highland gate will be handy for the motorway , good luck

Thanks both, it's been a hectic few days and we're back in Manchester and shattered! We're going to measure up furniture tonight to make sure it will fit bit I think we're fairly decided on renting in Highland Gate for now.

Thanks so much to all who have been so patient and generous with sharing their local knowledge over the last few weeks.

It's a nice new estate there you must be knackered hopefully the move won't be to bad