Stewarton or Newton Mearns?

[Lumino1]

Hi everyone,

I'm looking for some advice on where to move. We are about to get married and currently looking for a family forever home as we will start a family soon. I'm from Glasgow and he is from Ayrshire. We like the likes of Giffnock and Clarkston but the market right now is crazy and we can't afford the offers over. So we thought a new build would be a good idea since they are fixed price but the ones in Newton Mearns are extremely popular I don't know what the liklihood of getting one is. My partner wants to move to Stewarton as it's much cheaper than Newton Mearns and schools are decent enough. Has anyone had the same experience? Those living in these areas would you recommend it? I'm apprehensive about Stewarton as I'm used to the city and Stewarton seems so remote. I don't feel like you can walk anywhere there and there's not much to do...

Stewarton is a small town, and the other areas you mention are suburbs, so really quite different in feel and reality. Personally, I’d much rather live in Stewarton than Newton Mearns, but that’s me.

For schools most people would say Newton Mearns

Ayrshire is completely parochial
I’d far prefer to live near Glasgow

How about Neilston?...not too far from Ayrshire and nearer Glasgow

Newton Mearns is a total snoozefest. Just one housing estate after another. If you're used to the city - neither! Giffnock has a bit more going on, restaurants etc

Agree with @WelcometoGilead about Ayrshire. Avoid.

I’d go for schools every time. East Renfrewshire schools are brilliant. Clarkston, Giffnock, Newton Mearns, Eaglesham etc all good but check catchments.

Agree with Boogiewoody. You need a 3rd option. Are you sure you are ready for a forever home at this stage? Agree the market is crazy atm but it doesn't look like it will last once furlough etc goes.

If you don't already have DC you could hold off a move to the 'burbs any come along and are school age. Depending where you are based atm Glasgow City Centre has a lot to offer young families and being closer in can make juggling work commitments / social life / family responsibilities easier.

We bought a house in the burbs in our pre -DC days and regretted it. Once we actually had the DC we still couldn't make ourselves do it again. This may be colouring my advice. I have friends in both Stewarton and Newton Mearns who are very settled and happy. They are very different places.

What about Paisley, Johnstone or Linwood?
I know these would take you out of the catchment areas for East Renfrewshire schools, but there is a bit more going on there, and you have close links to the motorways.

Like ElizaB22 says Neilston is nice as well - would come under East Renfrewshire, not too far from motorways with Darnley and you are relatively near Silverburn and Braehead as well.

I wouldn't chose Stewarton I don't think as kts awfully far out.

Don't know much about Newton Mearns apart from it was always a bit posh.

Giffnock / Clarkston would be my top choices but as you say very expensive.

Neilston- not for me - too far out.

Johnstone / Linwood - not sure how good the Hogh Schools are.

Houston/ Bridge of Weir nearby I would consider.

Paisley, they are some nice bits but not sure how good the High School is now. But does allow really easy access to Ayrshire over the braes.

*I do think

Newton Mearns rather than Stewarton, but the new houses are also not really walkable to anywhere.

I agree with the others who are saying maybe this move is premature. You never know how things will work out, and it would be better to enjoy living somewhere now and reconsider if and when you have children.

If you are set on a move out of town I’d look at South Lanarkshire rather than Ayrshire. Check the schools league tables for an idea of where might be good, though you never know what the future holds!

Not Newton mearns unless your from the area- it’s got a weird feeling - join mearns gossip girls Facebook page and you will see some of the worlds most ridiculous behaviour.

Clarkston / Giffnock lovely and amazing
Stewarton is definitely country small town feel
If you want a small town feel with lots going on look at strathaven or bishopton

If you like new build what about Bellway's Storey Grove Development on Burnfield Road? It's in Glasgow but right at the ERC boundary.

You can walk into Giffnock and Shawlands from the site easily.

I'm not a fan of Stewarton and I live in NM but the Maidenhill sites are miles from anything except the motorway.

What about Eaglesham? Lovely village my sister stays in a lovely ex council house. Everyone is really friendly, lovely community. Have driven through Newton mearns and it’s a bit dull but I don’t live there. It’s not far off the Motorway (m77)

I grew up in Newton Mearns and now live in Eaglesham which we love.

My parents are retiring to the Ayrshire coast so are selling their house in Newton Mearns soon ie early summer - it's more like 20 years old than all the new ones but think it may be popular due to the schools within walking distance as some people have mentioned!

@Lumino1

Hi everyone,

I'm looking for some advice on where to move. We are about to get married and currently looking for a family forever home as we will start a family soon. I'm from Glasgow and he is from Ayrshire. We like the likes of Giffnock and Clarkston but the market right now is crazy and we can't afford the offers over. So we thought a new build would be a good idea since they are fixed price but the ones in Newton Mearns are extremely popular I don't know what the liklihood of getting one is. My partner wants to move to Stewarton as it's much cheaper than Newton Mearns and schools are decent enough. Has anyone had the same experience? Those living in these areas would you recommend it? I'm apprehensive about Stewarton as I'm used to the city and Stewarton seems so remote. I don't feel like you can walk anywhere there and there's not much to do...

What did you decide?