Relocating to Scotland

[meringue33]

Hi all, after about 20 years “down south”, we are considering moving back to Scotland. Areas we’d look at (if we can afford it and depending on where we manage to get a job) would be Corstorphine, Ratho, Linlithgow, Balerno, South Queensferry, the West End of Glasgow. Would appreciate any guidance anyone can share eg what is the situation with schools in those areas, are they very oversubscribed and would it be hard finding a place? (Kids are 5&7). Does anyone have a link to the Scottish league tables for secondary schools? Also given the difference in property selling arrangements, would we need to complete on our house in England before we bid for a house in Scotland? Thanks!!

Bumping!

We moved back up about 8 years ago - yes, we sold in England first before buying up here, just seemed easier/safer. Can't advise on those areas as we live in Stirling (handy to commute to Edinburgh or Glasgow)!

There isn't really a league table for schools in Scotland like you'd find for England. I tracked down the nearest equivalent about 5 years ago when we were coming back to Edinburgh. I'd have to root around for ages to find it. If I do I'll post a link here.

There aren't league tables in the same way there are in England, but they do exist.

www.thescottishsun.co.uk/news/4020266/scotland-secondary-schools-results-chart-worst-best-glasgow-edinburgh/

Sorry for the link to the Sun but it's the Times group who collate and publish this sort of data. I really only know about Glasgow schools - and in general, the schools in the East Renfrewshire and East Dunbartonshire suburbs do better than the schools in the city council area. But that's only looking at raw exam results, there is lots more going into a "good" school.

For primary, the Council wherever you're living are obliged to find you a place. Usually that will be in the local school, if they can't then you're first on the list when one becomes available. Some schools are very full, others less so. I know there are particular issues at Hillhead Primary right by Kelvingrove Park which is full to bursting and there was a massive fuss a few years ago over the changes to the catchments.

It also used to be that you could rely on a placing request to get into a school in a neighbouring area - still possible in some places but certainly in East Dunbartonshire for the Bearsden schools you have no chance.

Oh and on the selling thing - we sold in England and bought in Scotland at the same time. It all went through fine, the only complication was that we needed two sets of lawyers as we couldn't find a lawyer in England who would deal with a Scottish purchase, or vice versa.

On the house purchase side of things, you may find that the selling agents are not willing to take the house off the market if you've not completed your sale yet. So viewings will still happen, and you may get outbid, especially if your sale is taking a while.

If you don't know the area(s) you want to relocate to well, it's not a bad idea to get a 6-month lease and see what's what. It's easier to househunt when local.

I don’t know anything about schools in the west end of Glasgow. All of the Edinburgh areas you listed have good state schools and are nice areas, each of them are fairly equal in a schools sense. However, what myself and lots of other Edinburgh folk are finding that schools are full, maximum class sizes mostly, lack of general facilities. You really need to visit these areas and potential schools and see what you think. We moved to one of these areas for good schools and have been fairy disappointed with the offering. It isn’t really the school per se it’s about funding etc and I reckon that will be the same across the board.

Hi everyone, I'm thinking about relocating to Scotland. I'm only at the beginning stages and wanted some help with areas please. I would love to live by the coast/beach or within walking (even a long walk) to it. I have two young children but not too fussed about schools as I home educate. One of my children has additional needs. We use public transport and walk. Love being outdoors in all weather and I don't think miggies would be a problem (used to live in Durban). The main thing is a town on the coast with public transport and somewhere reasonably safe..not rough. I'm not a drinker so don't need pubs or nightlife. Ive heard good things about Perth, it looks like its on the river rather than the sea. Does it have a seaside feel? I want to be able to take my kids to the beach to look at stones, the sea or water, get some fresh air and id love to hear the sea again like when i was younger. I knows theres so muvh to sea in Scotland, castles and so forth. I currently live in england on the outskirts of a city amd its becoming more rough. Thanks so much everyone

@Roz4 Perth doesn't have a sea side feel.
Prestwick and Troon are nice sea side towns. I don't live near them but visit often as we have friends there.

@YesINameChangeEveryDay thanks so much! I hadn't even considered the West coast just because I've heard Glasgow was a bit rough. But I see that those aren't in Glasgow really.
And sorry for jumping on this post..I thought I'd made a new post but must have done it wrong. First time posting on mumsnet

@Roz4 there are some 'rough' parts in Glasgow as with any city but there are plenty of lovely places too.
Also the whole of the west isn't Glasgow.
I actually live in a small town which is basically a suburb of Glasgow and its extremely affluent, with some of the best schools in the country and a high proportion of millionaires.
Glasgow itself has a lot to offer in terms of culture, museums, libraries etc. The west end of the city is lovely.
If you're looking for a seaside feel though you're better off on the coast/

@Roz4 with Prestwick / Troon you can get a train directly to Glasgow which if you're home schooling id imagine you'll want to do relatively often for the museums and libraries.

On the east coast you also have Dunbar which is nice, you can easily get into Edinburgh from there.

@YesINameChangeEveryDay thanks again :) yes we would be using buses/trains to go into Glasgow or Edinburgh. Not sure which one I should be aiming to live near! I need to do a lot of research I think.
Yo8re really selling Glasgow to me :) I was put off by some things I've read but it's sounding so cultured!
Seaside is an essential for me as if like us to be able to walk to the beach as often as we like. It's my dream :)

@YesINameChangeEveryDay would u mind if I messaged u privately with a question pls? Not sure I know how but I'll give it a go if you're ok with that

Largs in Ayrshire is lovely. Good school, and hourly train taking an hour to Glasgow. 45-50 mins to drive to Glasgow. Handy for sailing, golf and other sports and activities. It has a reputation as being a retirement town, but that can have its advantages.

Welcome to Scotland.

Personally I think Edinburgh is a beautiful city to visit, very picturesque. I find it quite touristy though.
Glasgow in my opinion has more in the way of museums, libraries etc.

@HijabiVenus thank u :) not quite there yet but very excited!

@YesINameChangeEveryDay thank u!

@Roz4 of course, go ahead

@HijabiVenus the other advantage of Largs is trips over to Cumbrae / millport. One of my favourite places

@meringue33

You definitely need to sell first before trying to buy here. I don’t know about Edinburgh but the housing market in Glasgow West end is very hot right now, properties are selling within a few days of going onto the market. So you would need to be in a position to make an offer in a few days and exchange within a matter of weeks.

Properties are generally going for at least 10% over the home report value ( not the offers over price ).

In your position I’d look for the new jobs first, then sell up, move up to Scotland and rent for 6 months . Then you can find the areas that you like near your work and check out the local schools etc.

Remember the cut off dates for school year groups are different here.

@Roz4 Prestwick definitely. And it has great transport links. I live very close and the Ayrshire coast is a beautiful part of the country. I visit the beaches often and feel very lucky to live here.

@mum6546 thank u!

@Roz4 there's also Greenan shore and castle nearby. You can walk there from Ayr beach. Ayr shore front has a big playpark. Great for kids. And a soft play, leisure centre with pool too. No midges at the coast and probably a lot more house for your money than down south. Prestwick has train links straight to Glasgow and stops at Troon which has a nice beach also. Bus links straight to Glasgow aswell. Lovely wee independent shops in Prestwick. Supermarkets too.