Moving to Scotland

[Steerpike902]

Hi. DH and I are currently saving for a deposit and want to whisk the kids away from London to Scotland where I lived for seven years before we had them. I lived in Stirling and bridge of Allan and liked bridge of Allan but found its hard to avoid students in Stirling.
DH probably Will find work in Edinburgh but I doubt we'd be able to put a deposit down for somewhere nice in Edinburgh so I was thinking of cambuslang , maybe he can drive to Croy and get the train?

We basically want it commutable to Edinburgh in about an hour, good schools, decent 3 bed house (pref semi detached/detached) for around £200k, £250k max. Is there anywhere anyone would recommend or avoid? I don't drive so I can't really be stuck out somewhere with the kids until I pass my test either.

Buy anywhere on the Edinburgh - Stirling or Edinburgh Glasgow lines. Linlithgow, Falkirk, Larbert for example.

Livingston? You could get a 3-4 bed detached for your price range and it's 20 minutes from Edinburgh on the train. Schools are good too and there's lots to do for families. We moved here from Edinburgh when DS was two and really like it.

Cambuslang to Cory is quite a journey. Did you mean Cumbernauld?

Falkirk

As @AgentProvocateur said, cambuslang to Croy then a train to Edin will be tricky. You should spend a few days visiting the central belt (during the week) to explore all forms of transport and surrounding areas.

Good luck, v exciting!

Larbert/Stenhousemuir for your house budget. Commute to Edinburgh will be fine from there.

Thanks. I spent a lot of time travelling between Stirling Edinburgh and Glasgow but never really went in between besides Falkirk which I'm not too keen on.

We'll be going to Edinburgh in April to Haven and seeing friends so I'll ask their opinions as well. Maybe we'll have time to check out some places. Livingston is a great idea that I didn't think of

Have a look at the rail line via Shotts and the new other one from Aidrie to Edinburgh. Livingstone is a pretty good idea, Larbert as well. How about Fife-eh?

East Lothian - seaside, countryside and easy train/bus routes to Edinburgh. Dunbar and parts of Musselburgh possibly a bit beyond budget these days but Cockenzie, Haddington etc you should get something for under £250k

I guess re students in stirling, you need to remember that you probably live a very different lifestyle now than when you were living here pre kids.

I don't notice Stirling being particularly studenty and I've lived here for 17 years. That's all been with kids (who are now students :o ) and perfect for DHs commute though he might get something local and would also allow him to look at Glasgow as well.

It's a great area for families and you should just about get something on budget.

Now this needs a bit of work but decent area and walkable to the train station too.

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-66452406.html

or a new build 3 bed in budget but would need a car to the station.

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-63570654.html

or another 3 bed new build semi closer to town

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-88717280.html

What about Linlithgow? Although you might struggle for that budget.

Thanks for your suggestions everyone! Definitely looking around Larbert atm which I never thought of, Stirling is a possibility especially since I still have friends there. Looks like my parents are willing to help out with a deposit so might even look at linlithgow, depends on how much mortgage we're approved for! Getting quite excited although might be another year now before we start looking at DH just got a promotion accepted but that means he'll probably be offered a little more when he looks for work which is handy.

Biggar is a lovely small town/large village and only about 45 minutes from Edinburgh. The schools are great, and its quite vibrant for such a small place. You would probably get a decent house for your budget there too.

Sorry, just realised you don't drive! I think the bus services to and from Edinburgh are fairly regular. If you are looking for somewhere busy with lots of shops, restaurants, cinemas etc, then Biggar won't be for you. But like I said, the schools are really good, nice little cafes and shops, a small supermarket and if you are going to learn to drive, a really easy place to learn.