Moving to Banchory or north of Aberdeen

[Hannah2199]

We are looking to relocate from England to Aberdeenshire for OHs job. Weve had a whistle stop tour of the area in a day (had to get back for young kids). Am now more confused than ever!

We looked at Ellon - great sports facilities and schools but seemed very rural. Was very quiet. Didn't see anyone with kids about in the daytime. I would be SAHM so I'm wondering if theres much going on in the town?

Also looked briefly at Banchory (it was dark by then!), seemed like a nice town with good schools and nice sports village. Its further away from OH job so I'm not sure how lonely it would be. Also, does it get quite touristy in the summer? Is there much if a community feel? Many activities for kids?

Can anyone recommend anywhere else that would be good to live with 3 young kids please? OH will be working near Peterhead. Should say at the moment we live in a city/large town with lots of kids amenities and OH works 90 mins (with traffic) drive away. Looking for less of a commute so OH can be home with kids more but also easy access to the things kids are used to. Does this exist in this area?Guess I'm reluctant to leave where we are now with friends and family for somewhere I would be completely on my own so need some persuasion.

Thanks

Not sure Banchory is ‘rammed’ with tourists! There is plenty to do and most people driving into Aberdeen don’t take the north deeside road through Cults but either south deeside or the road to Westhill. I do think it’s a bit far for Peterhead though - if it was dual carriageway fine, but country roads can be slow and frustrating at times.

I second pp who suggested renting first to get a feel of the community and the commute. Inverurie is a busy town and the rail line is a bonus (not many of those in this area). Don’t know about schools.
Peterhead itself , I would avoid, it has a tough reputation, and more pragmatically, it’s cold! (As many coastal towns round here can be)
Personally I would visit again and test drive the commute from Banchory via the AWPR; I use it a lot and it makes a huge difference to travelling north.
The thing is, there is not a great commuter network in this area. The east coast train line basically runs up the coast taking in Stonehaven & Aberdeen, then veers north west to Inverurie and onwards. Bus services are patchy. So you drive in all weathers. And you drive your kids around too, so you are right to be wary of ‘too rural’
There are some lovely places to live though, so come on up, we’re glad to have you.

I come from a small village between Aberdeen and Ellon and the academy was fantastic when I was there, ahem, twenty five years ago. Peterhead may have changed in the last twenty years but when I knew the area it wasn't particularly nice. Banchory is lovely but you will soon tire of country roads which are a pain in the summer and can be extremely challenging in the winter. I don't know much about Ellon these days except the excellent brewdog have their hq there!!!

Peterhead is very much a changing town with new development all over. There is obviously still a huge drug problem but not worse than in any large town.

I live near Peterhead (20 mins and work there now) and previously commuted into Aberdeen daily. It would take up to 80 minutes pre AWPR. When the bypass opened it reduced my commute to around 45 minutes (not peak).

Bridge of Don sounds like it would possibly be a good option for you as a family who have lived in a city, lots to do and very short drive to the beach/city centre.

I grew up in the area, went to Balmedie Primary and Bridge of Don Academy, because our schools are catchment based there's a big range of ability and there's not a fight for school places.

simd.scot/#/simd2020/BTTTFTT/11.292462613222565/-2.1160/57.1877/
Saw a link for this on another thread - map of relative deprivation. Very useful for choosing areas/houses/schools when you lack local knowledge.