Second home in Scotland

[Frizzyspider]

I'd be grateful for some guidance & recommendation.
We live overseas, and would like to have our second home in Scotland.
Having a tiny budget, we're looking for a 2-bed flat (not a house).
We do homeschooling with our son, so the local schools are not important.
What would be important:
a/ definitely the seaside
b/ vibrant community (to make friends & contribute to the local initiatives)
c/ an inspiring place regarding history, local landmarks, art, museums, libraries, etc.
d/ easy train/bus access to the Edinburgh/Glasgow airports.

We'd love to buy sth near Edinburgh, but the east coast seems to be too pricey. That is why we consider Rothesay on the Isle of Bute or generally the west coast.

Any recommendations would be much appreciated. Thank you!

define "tiny budget"?
Rothesay is lovely but anything that requires a boat trip I wouldn't personally consider to be within easy access of an airport as a bit of bad weather and you're potentially stranded.
For seaside at affordable prices I would look around the Ayrshire coast and Fife coastal villages although I'm not sure how much culture you'll find.

Budget is key. I'd say for history and things to be involved in and access to the cities for airports etc then Stirling area would suit you but no seaside, just the Forth. Can be at the seaside in about 40 minutes though. Otherwise what about Fife or Argyll?

The budget is really tiny (60-70k max).

Id say over Ayrshire way, great access for Glasgow airport, and houses can be a bit cheaper depending on where exactly you look eg Largs, Troon, Saltcoats etc

That is tiny - you are ambitious I'll say that!

Okay - i've done a search for a 40 mile radius of Stirling to let you see where could be affordable as a starter for 10 - hope this helps and if you spot anything you think is possible then maybe someone might have local knowledge:

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/find.html?locationIdentifier=REGION%5E1266&minBedrooms=2&maxPrice=70000&minPrice=50000&radius=40.0&sortType=1&propertyTypes=&includeSSTC=false&mustHave=&dontShow=&furnishTypes=&keywords=

@Frizzyspider

The budget is really tiny (60-70k max).

However, as I see it can be realistic . I've seen 1-bed flats for 35k, and 2-bed flats for 50-60k (west coast), so hopefully we'll manage to find sth.

This is not on a beach but is by the water and there is a lovely pub in Culross and a castle etc:

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/87492235#/

To be honest, for the budget, you'll not get much at all in a seaside location. How much time would you really be spending in Scotland? There are so many amazing parts to visit, it might be better just rent longer term AirBnB properties. That way you'd see more of the country, experience more culture and not have to worry about an empty property when you weren't there.

Burntisland?:

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/39278655#/

Thank you so much for such interesting proposals!
We'll analyse them, and come back to ask you about some particular locations. Thank you!!!

@SingingSands

To be honest, for the budget, you'll not get much at all in a seaside location. How much time would you really be spending in Scotland? There are so many amazing parts to visit, it might be better just rent longer term AirBnB properties. That way you'd see more of the country, experience more culture and not have to worry about an empty property when you weren't there.

Well, our idea was a bit different: to have a flat as a base, and travel from our Scottish home. We also think about letting the flat on AirBnB when we are abroad. That is why the location should be interesting not only for us .

Thinking outside the very small box here.....would you consider a static caravan?

@emmathedilemma

Thinking outside the very small box here.....would you consider a static caravan?

Well, yes, at some point. For sure, if it is not possible to buy a flat for the budget. If we find a flat, it'll be definitely a more convenient option.

It probably is possible to buy a flat for the budget but I'm not sure they'd be in places you'd particularly want to live!

That budget really is challenging
Why Scotland?
Have you spent much time in Scotland?
How often would you use it?

Poet Bannatyne just up from Rothesay has had some bargain seaside view flats coming up over the years. It's a sleepy little village, lovely for a quiet break with beach walks at Ettrick Bay, Scalpsie etc but not a huge amount to do on the island however. I imagine if you immersed yourself in the local community and made friends that would make the difference. Easy enough connections by ferry and train to Glasgow.

Port Bannatyne

Burntisland or Leven In a Fife are both cheap but on on the up. Both have nice beaches, swimming pools, and good communities. Train station in Burntisland and one planned for Leven, both on good bus routes too. Both have well dodgy areas too so you’d need to look closely/get some local knowledge.

Not Methil though, even though it’s right next to Leven.

A friend of mine lives on this street, it’s nice. Beach a short walk.

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/85985974#/

@Figgygal

That budget really is challenging Why Scotland? Have you spent much time in Scotland? How often would you use it?

I graduated from uni in Edinburgh a few years ago. And I simply love Scotland .

For that budget you're likely talking ex-council tenement in a dodgy area.

Sorry pressed send too soon, what I meant was would it be better to wait a few years and extend your budget? Then you'd have something nicer and which would give good resale value too.

Sorry OP but looking at those suggestions on here the only one you’d have a chance of renting out Air bnb is the Burntisland one

Also bear in mind if it's offers over, the house will usually go for a bit more than that. The home report will give you a better idea. Though I guess in that price bracket the difference isn't huge.

@Sootess

Sorry OP but looking at those suggestions on here the only one you’d have a chance of renting out Air bnb is the Burntisland one

Could you please explain, why?