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Original poster

Crieff or Perth?

22 replies

Goldrill · 20/01/2020 23:02

So, hypothetically, if you had two kids in primary (will be P3 and P5), and DH would be working in Perth, and you'd be in Stirling a couple of days a week (and wfh the rest), and DC do a hobby a couple of times a week which can be done in Perth but not Crieff.... you'd be daft to even consider Crieff.... right?

But then... you all love biking and walking and have dogs to take out, and would rather have a nice big garden than a posh house. And you don't like shopping and couldn't face living on a busy road or a modern housing estate. And most of all you want the kids to be happy and comfortable, and make friends, and fit in, and feel part of a community... you'd be thinking actually you could cope with the driving.

I've spent a fair bit of time in Perth but less in Crieff, and I wonder if there's a compromise we haven't spotted. Also, catchment primary has to have after school club or we're stuffed.

Thoughts and opinions sought please!

OP posts:
Direwolfwrangler · 20/01/2020 23:15

I’m in Perthshire and there’s really not much going on in Crieff. I can’t imagine it being great for older kids/teens etc in the future.

There are loads of quiet roads and old houses with large gardens in Perth and the villages close by. Perth is also surrounded by great walks and outdoor activities. Plus better road and rail connections to other places.

Direwolfwrangler · 20/01/2020 23:18

PS: i think Crieff is limited for after school club options - there are more options in and around Perth

CoffeeRunner · 20/01/2020 23:21

DSis used to live in Methven. While Crieff is a nice town, Perth is the busier bigger place from what I remember?

Would a village somewhere between the two be a workable compromise?

Original poster
Goldrill · 20/01/2020 23:22

Thanks, Direwolf. I am beginning to realise they're not going to be little much longer. Sounds idyllic at 6 and 8 but deathly dull at 15 and 17 I suppose.

OP posts:
Original poster
Goldrill · 20/01/2020 23:26

Coffee I think Crieff is as small as we could go. Basically we are currently mostly just a taxi service for the kids and don't want to be a drive from everywhere again. I think Methven looks lovely but I think I would feel I was "living near Perth" - I was hoping we might feel we were "living in Crieff" but suspect it might end up being the same thing.

This is all very complicated!

OP posts:
LizzieMacQueen · 21/01/2020 08:02

Have you looked at Auchterarder?

Doesn't suit everyone - that long long High Street is a bit odd - but I believe the school, where primary and secondary share a campus, has a good reputation.

Not nearly as pretty as Crieff but at least Auchterarder is very close to the A9.

WaxOnFeckOff · 21/01/2020 09:18

Just move to Stirling/Bofa and make DH commute. I can't imagine that the hobby isn't catered for in Stirling :)

Original poster
Goldrill · 21/01/2020 13:45

Contemplated Auchterarder and it does look good on paper but it doesn't seem as accessible for hills as Crieff does, and yet not as easy as Perth. I will investigate properly!

Waxon. I work out at Raploch. This colours my general impression of Stirling a bit. And lots and lots of colleagues live there!

OP posts:
WaxOnFeckOff · 21/01/2020 13:51

Stirling is fab, it's not all deprived! Dunblane or bofa might suit depending on budget.

AmIthechristmasfairy · 21/01/2020 16:42

Crieff doesn't gave much going on. The two primary schools are very busy. Not sure you'll find the community feel you're looking for

How about Bridge of Earn, Forgandenny or Scone

AmIthechristmasfairy · 21/01/2020 16:43

Agree about Auchterarder. Much more accessible for everywhere else

Torchlightt · 21/01/2020 20:55

Not keen on Auchterarder. Pretty much one long main road with lots of traffic, very close to the A9.
For teenagers you need to be IN town, not in a village a few miles out.
Dunblane is smaller than Crieff.
Perth makes most sense.

WaxOnFeckOff · 21/01/2020 21:01

Dunblane has a train station with a service that takes you into the centre of Stirling in a few minutes, you can't really compare that to Crieff as lovely as it is.

WaxOnFeckOff · 21/01/2020 21:02

It would also give OPs DH the option of travelling by train into Perth.

Torchlightt · 21/01/2020 22:18

Why not just live in Perth, where most of their work and activities are? And get the train to Stirling when needed?

Original poster
Goldrill · 21/01/2020 22:49

Thank you! I think Perth is probably just more sensible all round. We can move to somewhere quiet and pretty when the kids are bigger.
I can't quite put my finger on why Stirling is out (is further from in laws which would be a definite bonus). And we could possibly stretch to a garden shed in dunblane.
Currently overjoyed at the realisation I will be in reasonable proximity to a waitrose for the first time in my adult!

OP posts:
LonnyVonnyWilsonFrickett · 21/01/2020 22:53

I think you're being daft to rule out Stirling or Bofa. Stirling especially I think would be better as your children get older. But if it really is between Crieff and Perth, Perth every time.

LonnyVonnyWilsonFrickett · 21/01/2020 22:55

What's your budget?

Original poster
Goldrill · 21/01/2020 23:03

Budget is low! We live in a small city in northern England and have a huge 4 bed semi in the lovely bit of town. Which is worth £220k. (And I don't want to leave!).
Reckon we can stretch to £300 at a push but would rather not. So Dunblane definitely out!.

I think Stirling is just too closely tied to work for me. And I do work for one of the big employers so likely to run into work people all over. Tbh, we're also in Perth but I don't know so many of them.

OP posts:
AudacityOfHope · 21/01/2020 23:09

I don't know how far ahead you're looking, but all I can tell you is that my friend is moving out of Perth before her sons hit high school age, as Perth High has such a bad reputation for bullying and violence. That's what she tells me anyway.

constantuser · 22/01/2020 10:27

You could live in Crieff and use the bus to go to the High School in Dunblane. Not ideal, but do-able if you want to send your kids to that school, but can't afford the house prices. I know of some kids that do that. There's also a decent private school in Crieff. You could buy a really nice house in Crieff within your budget.
There's actually quite a lot going on in Crieff for teenagers. I know they have army cadets, air cadets, youth club, several musical groups, a running club, a swimming pool and gym. And there are frequent direct buses to Perth, Dunblane and Stirling for shopping etc, which is great for teenagers. They can get into Edinburgh or Glasgow for the day if they want. And as you say, the countryside around Crieff is stunning.

Skyrain · 26/01/2020 14:17

There is lots going on in Crieff for all ages. As constantuser has stated there are good sports facilities. There are a number of good sports clubs, golf course, facilities at Crieff Hydro, close to Comrie Croft, Logos which is a youth group, pipe band etc. The High School is a good school who get placing requests from outside the area and come out better in the league tables than the Perth schools. A real sense of community in the town and access to outdoor areas. I would always chose Crieff over Perth. I don’t live there but have spent time in the area and know many people who live there. As someone said to me it’s the type of place you may outgrow as a teenager but want to return to when you have children as it’s a great place to bring up kids.

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