Relocating to Aberdeen/shire July 2021

[achefswife]

Hi!
I'm brand new to mumsnet, but was advised to come here for some advice that I am sorely in need of.

I'm an English teacher and have accepted a job at Northfield Academy in Aberdeen, starting in Aug 2020. I currently live in East Lancs with my husband and two boys (aged 4 and 6). Covid has absolutely ruined all of our planned visits to scope out areas to live in. We know Aberdeen as tourists on hols, but not to live. Husband's family are originally from there and we loved everything that is offers and want to raise the boys there.

Husband is a Head Chef but as it's my job that is taking us there, it has to be the main focus re travel and boys. I have read every thread on the internet about relocating, but would love some advice on specific areas. We have done big moves with the kids before, but as they are now at school, it feel much scarier.

We are thinking of Banchory (anywhere on Deeside)/the Culters/Inverurie/Huntly/Banff/Newburgh/Ellon/Balmedie/Cove. I would like to be max an hour away from work. What are schools/high schools really like? I know league tables aren't always indicative of the quality of teaching.

The only thing putting us off from living in or near the city is that we have heard the harr on the sea ruins your summer. Is this true? All advice is truly welcome.

Thank you x

Did you get registered with the Scottish teaching board ok? It used to be really hard to move from England to Scotland teach g because of it. Sorry to derail slightly!

Stonehaven's catchment Academy is Mackie Academy. If you bought in Newtonhill/Chapelton (slightly north of Stonehaven) however you would fall into the Portlethen Academy catchment I think.
Two of the three junior schools in Stonehaven are in old Victorian buildings so that may not appeal. The Academy is fairly decent though (old 1950s building) in my fairly recent experience.

I live in the North of the shire. Consider places like Ellon, Oldmeldrum, Rothienorman, Fyvie, Pitmedden, Udny Green /Station. They're not too long a commute into the city centre for Northfield.

The Haar.....now that's a point for debate. I lived in a coastal village for years and it does come down and shorten summer days. I loved the wee village I stayed in but wouldn't live on the coast again because of it. This summer we had a lot of it! I live more inland now but we can see it rolling in. Further inland like Inverurie etc really won't see the haar at all.
Anything else you want to know?

Today the weather on the A96 has been atrocious so it's worth bearing in mind what a long commute in bad weather would be like. You'd have to leave very early in the morning and some roads, particularly in rural areas wouldn't be treated.

Personally I'd feel Ellon was too far a commute.

That's the benefit of being located near the A90/former A90 now A92, as it gets gritted and tbh it doesn't snow that often at all in reality. I have been in this area for almost 10 years and find the weather on the coast much better than I expected. A commute on this dual carriageway A road rather than down country lanes from Banchory will be easier.

I'm in Bridge of Don if you've any questions about that area

This is all super-helpful! Although I feel slightly more confused 😂. Inverurie is definitely a big contender, plus I can get a train to work.
@Haggisfish I’m in the process of registering with the GTCS but so far it’s smooth. Basically submitting documents and then waiting for approval. I hope it’s as straightforward as they have made out. They’ve been very communicative.

@RaraRachael we were planning to come up in feb and try to see what areas were like in winter. Great advice re roads.
@EddieVeddersfoxymop thanks for your honesty! We noticed it when we were up in summer but were unsure if people exaggerated about it.

@Halfagonyhalfhope what is it like living there? We always stay at the Premier Inn at Bridge of Don. Ideally, we want to feel like we are living quite rurally. I don’t want a bit of a trek in to work, and we have a Land Rover so feel pretty safe driving about in that. However, all info really is appreciated as we don’t know anything about actually living in Abedeeen/shire.
I’m happy to leave for work at 7, as i leave at 7:30 now and am a very early riser. I just don’t want to be unrealistic with my expectations of commuting!

That’s last message was meant to say, ‘I don’t MIND a bit of a trek into work’!

Well it's suburban living so no unusual or unique houses but it's handy for our work and we are happy with the schools. Friends of ours like Newburgh and Hatton of Fintray has lovely steadings. I've pm'd you.

I'd look at Senior Schools you would be happy for your kids to attend (because time flies!) and work back from that. It seems quite common for teachers to change post/school but stay in Aberdeenshire/Aberdeen City...so you are not destined to always be at Northfield Academy.
Do not assume a railway station means trains stopping frequently at that station...the service from Portlethen to Aberdeen is practically non-existent whereas from Stonehaven it would be an easy commute into Aberdeen by road, bus or rail.

Train from inverurie or kintore will take you into centre of Aberdeen - you'd then need to get the bus to Northfield. As pp says commute either from North or south of Aberdeen via a92/a90 would be much better. I'd say weather is marginally better south of the city. Portlthen Academy doesnt have as good a reputation as Mackie but I know DC who've been there and who are doing well.

Oldmeldrum is lovely - schools have been good with my kids so far (P5 & S1).
It's a large village/small town with community spirit & feel.
It's rural, but not so much that you don't have decent broadband etc.

I grew up in Hatton of Fintray, went to the primary there and then went to Inverurie Academy. The primary was teeny back then- only 35 children and it was too small to be much good. The teachers ( 2 of them) had to juggle all the different grades. It was in the eighties/nineties, so a lot must have changed. Pretty village with lots of lovely walks. Inverurie Academy was a good school. Quick drive to Dyce for the supermarket ( about 5 Miles). My Dad used to commute into Aberdeen from Fintray.

Be wary of areas that have grown too quick - like cove. Amenities are struggling with demand , drs especially.

I moved to Aberdeen city two years ago, and we're now looking to move out of the city. We're looking at Stonehaven, Chapleton, Portlethen or Inverurie. From being here a while and driving around these are places where the commute into the city is doable. Banchory, while lovely can be a nightmare for getting in and out from at times! You seem to get more for your money south of the city, although I do really like Inverurie. Lots of amenities and not too far out!

Oh, would avoid Cove as Lochside Academy doesn't have a great reputation.

@Spybot Hatton of Fintray looks beautiful. @peonyrose87 thank you! Inverurie looks like the top contender at the moment. Rent is high but we will have to suck it up! We have seen houses for rent in Rothienorman and also Meikle Wartle. Just wondering what they are like versus living closer to Inverurie. As much as I love Banchory, from what everyone has said on the post, the commute sounds a bit nightmarish. Has anyone done the commute?

Yeah. I did a train commute a bit a while back and would not consider it as an option. It was very, very restrictive. I'd also say that Meikle Wartle etc is unnecessarily far out for a daily commute. I'd be sticking to Inverurie or the other side of Inverurie heading towards your school. The roads on a Sunday are all fine. However, in the week if the weather is awful or you get stuck behind a tractor they are busy and grim. Also, likely in the winter you will always be driving in the pitch dark.

I am from Banchory originally so will be biased but it is quite expensive! Kintore is lovely but not sure how great Kemnay Academy is. I now live south of Aberdeen in the shire, schools in Stonehaven are good and mine go to Laurencekirk for Academy as someone else said the new road has made a huge difference. Good luck with your move, you won’t regret it

I'm not sure if it's been mentioned but Alford may be worth a look. I live about 4 miles from Alford (closer to the city) and my commute to Westhill is about 20 minutes.

DD will be going to our local primary but she will probably attend Alford academy, if we're still here by that point. I'm fairly new to this part of Aberdeenshire but the school looks great and is part of the community campus with swimming pool etc.

stitchingwitch reckon you'll know better than me but what about Echt?

Also op, when places like Afford are a possibility I'd say Ellon was a crazy choice. Much more than 20 minutes.

My kids go/went to Banchory Academy, so any specific questions, please ask.

Banchory is a lovely, welcoming, friendly place to live. The weather is generally warmer and sunnier than on the coast (no har). The commute into Aberdeen includes three routes which are much quieter than they were a few years ago, even pre lockdown.

House prices have really dipped locally and there is an oversupply of houses for sale so even though the advertised price is high, the offers accepted may be well under asking price.

I would recommend the school. It is high achieving and MOST of the kids are well behaved and polite.

Also, Stonehaven is now heaving in the summer with visitors due to accessibility with the AWPR. Parking is a real issue in the town.