Stranraer

[ChaoticSolitude]

Hi guys! Some advice would be much appreciated re: relocation.

Is there anyone here that lives/has lived in or close by to Stranraer?

We currently live close to London but since having my DD have wanted desperately to move somewhere nicer for her childhood. She has just turned 4.

I really want somewhere coastal with nice beaches, somewhere with good value in regards to property with a large garden.
And most importantly somewhere safer and cleaner for her to grow up.

I have found some very beautiful houses in central Stranraer. At stupidly reasonable prices. The research I have done seems all positive. I have a potential job offer in Glasgow - which I know is a lot of travelling - but it is only two days a week for practically a full time wage.

I want some brutal opinions on the area, particularly the London Road/Lewis Street area. Some of the property has been on the market for a looooooong time and I can't understand why.

I know flooding has been an issue in the town generally but as far as I can see this area was largely unaffected?

General opinions on schools (primary), weather (so far mild but wet I have been told?), and potential of part-time work.

Interested to hear from anyone who commutes as would be great to get some reassurance on the reliability of the local train service.

Are the nearby beaches nice/clean? Is it warm enough in summer to get in the water? I have been led to believe midges aren't such an issue here?shudders

Mainly - I just want to know if this is a good place for my DD to grow up. I know nowhere is a paradise but I want to be away from all the shite that goes with living next to London.

Any advise greatly appreciated

Thanks
L

I've visited once, had a drive round the town. My opinion was that it was awful - but first impressions can be wrong - in every town there are good and bad areas. I'm sure people who know it well will advise further, but if you do plan such a move then suggest booking a week's stay there so you can really get a feel for the place.

Definitely not in my opinion. It’s really really far from anywhere and pretty deprived.

Oh my god no. I've only passed through it a few times but it's one of the most depressing places I've ever been. Too far away from any cities. There's beautiful beaches all over Scotland (and the rest of the UK). I wouldn't stay there if I got a house for free. So sorry to anyone who stays there but wanted to be honest.

Hi!! Thanks for your reply! Can you tell me why you disliked it so much? We are planning visits there and the towns surrounding but I feel getting genuine opinions from those that really know the area is my best bet. This is a massive move for us!!

Oh, and it’s certainly not commutable you Glasgow, and nothing for your DD to do

To Glasgow even

Have you considered Troon, Largs or Prestwick? Far nicer.

It's depressing.
Too far away from any cities to have any amenities.
Deprived area.
Just nothing happening there at all.
Your DD will want to move out as soon as she grows up.
I would look into areas nearer Glasgow or in nicer Ayrshire areas like Prestwick.
The reason you see houses on the market for a while is none wants to live there!

Gibran, Ayr, Troon, Turnberry are all on the train line and not so far to travel.

I would agree there's no way you could commute to Glasgow from Stranraer. Far too far.

I am from Dumfries originally which is the main town in the region. The road to Stranraer is long and not dual for much of the way. It certainly isn't a road you would want to use to commute on a regular basis and that's both the road to Dumfries and Glasgow. Since the ferry terminal moved out of Stranraer to Cairnryan the town has also lost a significant amount of trade and although I haven't been in many years the general feeling is one of decline. Other parts of Dumfries and Galloway are more scenic and accessible. What about Moffat or up that way? It would be not just living a mor rural life compared to London but you would find it brutally different. Even Dumfries only has a very small art house style cinema and a small theatre. Dumfries people tend to travel to Carlisle or Glasgow for entertainment and Dumfries is about a 2 hour drive from Stranraer.

there's are lovely parts of Galloway, Stranraer however isn't on of them
I lived there, all be it only for about 8 months, about 25 years ago. at the time it was run down, and with a sizeable drugs problem for a small town. from what I understand it has got worse

It’s about a 2 hour drive to Glasgow I think. Ayr about half an hour.
Stranraer’s like Larne, you only go there to catch the ferry. Not a beautiful place to live.

Guys - commuting really isn't an issue. It's a 2 hour train ride twice a week. That side I have already checked and I'm fine with

We are not really party animals either. We lead a pretty quiet life and mostly do outdoorsy stuff... I drive so we wouldn't be completely isolated.

I'm just a little more concerned when 'deprived' is mentioned. Usually points to high crime, drug issues etc - which is something I won't entertain Looks like all the positive things I have seen about the place are way off - how strange.

Thanks guys for your time!

There's nothing in Stranraer. I wouldn't move there for a "better quality of life".
There are MUCH nicer areas to move to. Much nicer.

It's a small town, isolated and population is probably shrinking. Have a really good look at how much school choice and how much kids activity choice you would have as you DD gets older.

As per pp, I think your general idea of finding good relocation commutable to Glasgow is good - but Stranraer is probably not it.

Also - when your DD is a few years older you'll probably want to increase days at work. 2 hrs on train more days a week is less attractive. And finding childcare can be harder at the pre-teen age than for young children.

If you like curling and going to NI on the ferry then Stranraer is the place for you.

Otherwise no. It's not a quaint little peaceful seaside place. It is deprived and quite isolated from services. A 2 hour train journey to Glasgow each way? That's a huge chunk of time.

There is a reason house prices are low.

Back to the drawing board me thinks...

Sorry @ChaoticSolitude I see you're disappointed but surely it's better to find out at this stage. Why don't you put on another post with your budget and what you would like and you'll get loads of replies with suggestions.

I've recently moved to Scotland and the buses are really good but the train service is nothing short of a disaster. Honestly, you wouldn't be able to get to work reliably.

If you're looking for a west coast seaside town, Troon is the best imo. Check it out

I know someone who moved up to Skelmorlie near Large a couple of years ago. They love it, beach after school, can access other towns for services and commute to Glasgow for their job is pretty good.

Look at Aberdeenshire. We moved here last year. Lots of beaches and also v reasonable.

If you are happy with a 2 hour commute then it opens up most of Scotland :) even Aberdeen is only 2.5 hours on the train. I'd do as suggested above and give an idea of what you are looking for and budget and folks will find something nicer :) you could even look at East Coast as well as west.