Dunblane or Stirling ?

[Ineedanewusername]

We are planning on moving to this area this summer. Im already aware of the good areas in Stirling. We have been to a mortgage advisor and have now found out we could afford some houses in Dunblane, we previously thought we wouldnt. My main question is apart from the schools (i know you can request Dunblane high if you live in stirling), is it better to move to dunblane than Stirling? To give you a bit of background.My dc is a toddler. We dont have family or friends in either places, although i hope that i/we could make friends, is Dunblane mostly a commuter town. We live in a big town at the moment and i like going to the gym and taking toddler to play groups. Is there much to do in Dunblane?

I'd say it depends on which areas of Stirling vs which areas of Dunblane.

I had to make that decision 15 years ago and chose stirling as it was a better house layout, better garden and safer street to play out in. DC still ended up in Dunblane high but that was for a very specific reason and wasn't the plan. It's not as easy as it was to get a placing request but if DC is currently only a toddler then it's anyone's guess what the situation might be like at that point.

For gyms you'll probably want the Uni or the Peak. Both areas have toddler groups and stuff on and it's about a 10 minute drive at quiet times so there is no reason you can't travel between the two quite easily.

Stirling areas are causewayhead, cambusbarron, some parts of st. Ninians and possibly bofA.

Another thing is that we have a dog and go to playparks quite often.

And Torbrex!

Sounds like you've already visited and had a look round? Gut feel where did you like best?

I don't know St Ninians well but am reasonably familiar with the others :)

Based on those choices, I'd also add in Riverside.

At one point i could have given you a run down on the playparks in all those plus the parks in Dunblane - we were pretty much in every play park in the area for many years :)

Honestly all your choices sound good, there is plenty to do pretty much everywhere and it's all pretty accessible (o you drive/have access to a car?). There won't be many places you can't walk out your door and access a walk for the pooch and a play park for the wee one and most areas have toddler groups etc on too.

I really can't recommend enough the whole area for raising kids.

I wouldn't limit your search to either/or, just have a look to see what you like and where feels like home.

Loads of locals on here, it's becoming like Stirling-shire net :o And i'm sure if you post links to anywhere you are interested in, people would be able to give a view or any local knowledge.

@WaxOnFeckOff

Thank you very much for all your info. Yea, i like Riverside too.
I like both, i think Dunblane has a small town feel but i worry it maybe be a bit boring for us (DH and I) and my dc when hes a teenager. We are going to see a view bonuses this week in Stirling, so we shall wait and see.

Good luck with the viewings :)

DSs friends from Dunblane just jump on the train into Stirling or BofA as it's only a few minutes and Stirling isn't that big so they just walk to where they want when they get there.

It's easy to walk from Dunblane into BofA and a decent walk through the woods etc to the chippy in BofA on a nice evening for chips or an ice-cream and jump on the train back. Or, we used to train it to Dunblane and walk back via the chippy.

You'll hopefully feel what's right when you see it.