Possibly moving to Ayr

[Fivefootoffun]

Hi all,

We are currently in the south side of Glasgow but hoping to move to South Ayrshire (to be near the sea and also get more for our money than Glasgow). We had originally been looking at Prestwick/Troon but there’s been so little come on recently. We’ve seen a lovely house in Ayr - we’ve asked friends from the area and they’ve all said it’s a nice part of town - catchment for Granmar primary and Belmont High. Our house now under offer.

Was just wondering what people’s exoeriences are? I’m not Scottish, husband from Inverness so neither of us know the area well at all. We’ve 2 DC - 1 and 3 years old.

Thanks a lot in advance,

People from Ayr come to Prestwick in the evenings.

Ayr was (and still is) a bit of a disaster but is slowly improving.

@cdtaylornats - thanks. Sorry do you just mean to socialise etc they go in the evenings?

Thanks a lot

I guess it depends on your budget where is best?

Hi @ssd - budget isn’t the problem there’s just so little coming up in prestwick just now. If we open the parameters we have much more choice.

We could always rent if need be until
Something comes up outsith Ayr. I guess I was just looking to see peoples perspectives who are local.

Personally I live Troon, not sure about Ayr, I don't go there much.

Love not live

@ssd - us too, love a walk along the harbour. Would be so handy from Ayr but it’s just whether or not we’d be happy living in Ayr, schools etc. Thanks for the input though, always good to get perspective.

The Grammar is moving soon, will you still be catchment then? You might find yourself closer to Holmston/Forehill/Alloway. All good schools in themselves.
Ayr is fine...but the town centre is an absolute hole (and getting worse). I wouldn’t go near the shore or beach park in good weather (too full of “doon the water” types, sorry but it is).

Ayr is a nice town to live in. Grammar and Belmont are both good schools, though Grammar is a feeder school to Kyle not Belmont. Kyle is currently rated above Belmont and has a good name locally.

@ClangusOO - thanks so much. Not sure re catchment when it moves but if the other schools are all fine then that’s good.
That’s a shame about the centre but that’s what I’ve heard from most other people I’ve asked. I suppose I prob wouldn’t necessarily need to go that often but I like the idea of having nice places near by for coffees/lunches etc but I know I can jump in the car and be in Prestwick etc in no time. And it’s not far up the motorway to Silverburn!
Just so hard to know. Thanks a Lot, appreciate the feedback greatly.

@Undervaluedandsad - more great info, thank you very much for that.

Sister just had a weekend in Troon would highly recommend. She is hoping to retire there. Only an hour down road from us.

Thanks @Tarscout - it’s so nice nobody wants to leave!! Very few houses come up there - would live there in a heartbeat!

My friend lived in Ayr was a lovely part of it sorry can't think of the area name thought she was mad to move .I really like Ayr and was actually considering a move there.

What about renting for 6 months while you wait for something to come up? February isn’t the best time to be house hunting.

@undervaluedandsad - yeah we will do if need be. I think this lovely house in Ayr has thrown us!

I grew up in Ayr (in that same catchment area) and really like it. It still feels like home even though I have not lived there for well over a decade. The high street doesn't have brilliant shopping, but I've never been much of a shopper, and Silverburn/Glasgow are near enough. There are plenty of nice restaurants and cafes to choose from.
People do go to Prestwick in the evenings as Ayr does not have much in the way of nightlife.

Like every town, Ayr has it's dodgy areas, but if you live in one of the nice parts then it is a lovely place to live.

I have several family members in Ayr and they all seem to like it, all brought up in Prestwick too!

@pbdr that’s really helpful thank you.

@ihavebrillohair - that must be a good sign!! Thank you - really good to know that.

Thanks all, much appreciated feedback.

Are there not quite a lot of new houses being built in Troon, would one of them suit you? I would love to live down the coast but don't fancy the train fare into work in the city centre everyday

@ElizaB22 - yeah there are although we’d prefer an older one we think. Thanks though!

I live in between Prestwick and Ayr but was brought up in Troon. I then moved to Prestwick in my late teens. I do like the area. Lots to do in the surrounding area with young kids - I have 2.

I don't like Troon at all. I went to Marr College, the only secondary school in Troon. From what I heard it went quite downhill but I'm not sure of it's reputation now. Troon, to me, is like God's waiting room.

I loved living in Prestwick, was very friendly and had a good community feel where you would always bump into people you knew either during the day or in the pubs later. I avoid evenings in Prestwick now, the pubs are now mobbed because people come from all over Ayrshire for a night out.

As PPs have said Ayr high street is not good. It's sad because it has so much potential. But, as you said, Silverburn isn't far and is very easy to get to. The transport links to Glasgow are great.

Living next to the coast is great. My kids love spending time on the beach all year round as long as it's dry and not windy! Culzean isn't far which is great for spending all day there and taking a picnic. Worth a national trust membership just for that. And the coastal drive from Ayr is stunning. Additionally, Dumfries House isn't far and fab for kids and is free. Dean Castle is good too. Lots more nearby.

@arhji - that’s incredibly helpful thank you so much.
Prestwick would be ideal but there’s so little going up around there jgst now. This one we’ve found in Ayr is supposedly in a nice bit if Ayr. I think I’d just miss having nice amenities right on my doorstep but maybe that’s ridiculous when Pwick only a 10 minute drive away!
Much appreciate the info, thank you!

What type of amenities are you thinking of that you feel Prestwick would be better?