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

Pp is right there’s something eerie about Stranraer.

It was run down even before they lost the ferry contract.

It’s full of drugs as there’s nothing else to do.

The only place in Scotland that is as depressing is Peterhead.

But dumgal has some beautiful places and around Ayr/ Troon/ preset wick is nice.

Waves to @RJnomore1**

You gave me lots of good advice when I was moving to Ayrshire few years ago. Took lots of it on board and we settled very well with DS at a lovely school. Just noticed your username and wanted to say thanks

@BitchHazel aw fantastic I think I remember that, you were asking about a school starting with B at the time?

Glad to hear you are all settled now.

My niece and her husband grew up there and couldn't wait to move away. They go back to visit family. They love Port Patrick though.

Agree Stranraer is not a nice place to live. Would definitely look more into troon Largs skelmorlie etc lovely area good schools and transport links

@RJnomore1 that's right! He ended up at one of the smaller local schools which we are very happy with.

Thankyou again

Stranraer really is dire. Folks up thread are spot on when they talk of drugs & deprivation.

Largs, West Kilbride, Troon, Helensburgh all much better choices with better schooling & quality of life if you're looking for west coast living and commuting to Glasgow. More expensive housing but nothing like London prices.

Loads of people commute from Helensburgh daily, Dd did it for school for a couple of years.

Please don't take anyone's opinion if they have never or don't currently live there. It's such a personal preference as to where you'd like to live. I'm from Scotland and move with my husbands work. A friend I have has also lived in a few of the places i have (Helensburgh and Arbroath) we are total opposites regarding which one we like and don't like. You will needs to find out as much info as possible on schools, clubs, any type of lessons your child could potentially want to go to, days out nearby but being 2 hours from Glasgow and less distance to Ayr, it sounds like theres plenty to do nearby if you drive. I can't comment on the area as I've never lived there. From personal experience, being someone that has lived in the south west and also Scotland I would pick scotland in a heartbeat

Its a dump. It used to have something when the ferry terminal was there.... but now. No. It has always had a drug problem and its only gotten worse.

Try instead
Troon
Prestwick
Largs
Fairlie
Eaglesham (not coastal)

Much farther from Glasgow so not sure about links-
Kelso
Perth
St Andrews
All along the East Neuk of Fife is rather beautiful, lots of little fishing villages-St MOnans, Elie

It is very deprived. Difficult to recruit health professionals. And is far away from everything.
Dumfries and Galloway is an amazing region and a great place to grow up but Stranraer isnt somewhere i would move too

Hi I am from Glasgow recently moved back from Edinburgh. I was brought up in Hampshire eventually moved back home to Glasgow. I'm looking for somewhere nice for my two young kids its an up-and-coming area. I have been told and seen as one of the best places to bring up kids and retire, it's a little quiet.no violence that I have seen.
The house is a lovely lovely too

I would like to say it's not how others perceive the place or any place they are talking about its how you feel in your gut

Moffat schools get a good report - first priority I think if you have DCs. On the M74 to Glasgow prob about an hour's drive.
Beautiful scenery there. Unfortunately some areas now clad in in windfarms.
Won't be as cheap as Stranraer for housing. Thornhill Academy has had good reports too - they can vary over the years so check on the latest info. Beautiful scenery there too.
About an hour from the beach I think maybe more.
Castle Douglas would be better than Stranraer but check out the schools.
None of these are right on the coast but if you imagine the coastal towns were once ports or for fishing 100 years ago they are down in the dumps a bit now. There is a slow train to Glasgow from Dumfries each day. It goes through Thornhill.
Kirkcudbright is very pretty - worth checking out. Thing is a low population can mean not great choice of subjects etc at school or competition amongst pupils.
All are def worth a visit imv.

It’s a zombie thread from 2020.

Stranraer is a complete dump, I know someone who like you moved there because it’s cheap and she hates it and regrets the move. It’s cheap for a reason. As others have said the A75 is a complete nightmare particularly when the lorries have just come off the ferry and it’s bloody cold there the few times I’ve been it’s been much colder and windier than other parts of D and G.
“Is it warm enough in summer to get in the water?”
Only if you’re a masochist or own an extra think wetsuit.
If you want to live in a town you’d be better off looking around Dumfries, which is a bit run down but not like Stranraer your not that far from the sea and other lovely areas and there are trains to Glasgow although they do take. 2 hours.There is a smallish area in the south west of Dumfries called Maxwelltown which has some pleasant roads with mainly Victorian houses which are reasonably priced in the grand scheme of things.

Please go to Glasgow. I came down here from Glasgow and it's the worst decision I ever made.