Dumfries

[Strumpit]

Hi All
i live in the midlands and am looking to semi retire to Dumfries. I was born in Dumfries (lived in Dalry till i was 5). My family moved to the midlands when i was 11. I dont know much about the town but have seen a nice property on Lochside Rd Lincluden, is this a nice area (for reference i was brought up on a council estate in an ex mining town). I am on a tight budget and am looking at houses under 80K. Any details about Dumfries would be fantastic. I am 60 and would be moving by myself.

Thanks
(i have posted this on three threads...........a newbie)

My parents don't live too far from Dumfries. Lincluden is most definitely the rougher part of the town, large estate of originally council houses, some now privately owned but lots of drugs and social problems. It's not a quiet retirement sort of place!

Also Dumfries town centre has seen a lot of shop closures in recent years and is looking very tired and run down. If you haven't been in the town for many years I would STRONGLY recommend coming up and having a really good look around before starting to view properties. Other places like Annan might be better but there are also issues like public transport if you don't drive.

Your budget is small but do-able, especially if you're prepared to consider a flat rather than a house.

We went through Dumfries last summer on holiday. I was shocked by the state of the high street, with lots of empty units. Not to say you shouldn’t move there, but make sure you know what you’re moving to and don’t view it through rose-tinted glasses from your childhood. There are other towns where you could get a house for your budget. Do you have family in the area?

Hi I live in Dumfries and Galloway! I work in the town but wouldn’t live there. I live about 15 miles out in the country side so a 30 minute commute into town everyday due to having to go slow on single track roads before getting on the main road.

Lochside is definitely a rougher area. Lots of teens have been causing trouble there for my friends last year by smashing their cars, citing tyres and being loud and loitering in the streets. They also tend to hang around the car park at the big Tesco and harass customers. There is really nothing to do here for teens so I can’t blame them for being bored.

There are plenty of clubs for adults like book club at Annan library, camera club, knitting towards castle Douglas but you’d need to hunt for them and likely travel to them. Not much in Dumfries town itself. Shopping is dire. Debenhams is on its last legs. We have an m and s but tiny and I don’t know how long that’ll be around. Plenty of supermarkets though and things like b and m bargains and home bargains and the range, Wilkes, Homebase etc. Also garden centres a plenty. All scattered around the town so you’d need to drive to various retail parks. Plenty to do for younger kids in the way of parks and farm parks etc if you had family or friends visiting with kids.

I live out in a very rural part of the country side and I love it for the quiet. I do need to travel to get everywhere though. Have to go all the way into town if I want milk! I make sure I collect it on my commute home though to avoid unnecessary trips. I’ve actually put on a lot of weight since moving here as I barely walk now with having to drive everywhere!

So, I think your experience of Dalry as a child is not comparable to how life will be now in Lochside. Dalry or another semi rural area would be lovely but lonely unless you made the effort to travel to clubs, shopping etc. You’ll have more space and quiet somewhere rural outside of the town.

Living in Lochside would be busier, noisier, higher risk of being harassed by the aforementioned teens or their parents. I wouldn’t live there.

What is it you’re looking for specifically? Do you want somewhere busy or quiet?

Thanks for the replies. Somewhere quiet would be ideal but i do not want to go further west than CD (area) as i have family who would visit, as well as being too remote. My sister lives near Creetown, my brother lives near Carslisle. My memories of the area is patchy, we lived in Dalry till i was 5 then CD for a wee while, then Ayr, Saltcoats, Stevenson and finally Glengarnock (my dad was a miner from Dalmellington who became a pub manager) before moving to Staffordshire, back down the pit. I am happy with the quiet life, walks, sightseeing and photography, not really in to pubs. I like my football, my brother is a QoS season ticket holder although i support Wolves. I would rather have a house, with a garden.

What are your thoughts to this:

www.zoopla.co.uk/for-sale/details/photos/53718884?search_identifier=f302b4c744a64fc70bc29598c4b51bfd

I meant this:

www.zoopla.co.uk/for-sale/details/53718884?search_identifier=f302b4c744a64fc70bc29598c4b51bfd

Nice! I like the garden and it seems like a good location and bright and spacious.

Although you’re only 60 I would make sure you find a house suitable for when you are 80. I’ve just been through this discussion with the in-laws. You won’t want to move again in your 70s once you’ve made friends. Consider things like buslinks, local shop or cafe, space for a downstairs bed/toilet/stairlift, view from window to see people.

I notice it’s near the primary school which could be nice for watching and hearing kids if you end up housebound. Sorry to sound depressive it’s just worth thinking about now while you’re young enough to choose.

Go to google maps and walk around a bit with street view to get an idea of the area and shops etc. Also put the postcode into “up my street” to get an idea of the area.

Thanks, i agree, it is a nice bright property. There are also properties in Dalbeattie which are within my budget. What is Dalbeattie like?