Larbert in Scotland, anyone?

[Hannah320]

I’m considering moving to Larbert (currently living in East Dunbartonshire) and was wondering if anyone lives/lived there who could tell me what it’s like and what the people are like too?

I would love to know about Larbert’s amenities and also about their schools, more specifically Kinnaird Primary School and Larbert High School. I have a 1 and 4 year old so schools are at the front of our minds.

Thank you :) x

Don't know much about it, my mum lived there as a child and it's obviously changed a lot since then, but I believe larbert high has a good reputation.

I lived there as a child - now live in Glasgow - and went to Larbert High. It's a good school. I believe the current head teacher is pretty forward thinking. It's massive though and going to expand again. I'm sure I read it's going to be the biggest school in Scotland. I don't know anything about Kinnaird, sorry as that didn't exist when I live there.

Larbert as a place to live is perfectly nice but not much going on. Lots in the surrounding areas and in falkirk town centre though and good transport links to the cities. A lot of new houses have been build over the last 10 years and amenities haven't really been built to match. If you are looking at Kinnaird Village then I'd argue that's not actually in Larbert. South Broomage is nice.

Larbert not really a big place, but it's got a beautiful hospital and grounds 🙂

Don't know about the primary or secondary schools. Agree with previous poster about local amenities.

Good luck in your search.

Larbert is nice enough. The high school has a very good reputation, Kinnaird does as well but I think both schools are very full.

Good access to Glasgow and Stirling, a little further to Edinburgh but still commuting distance. Lots of new build housing in Larbert in recent years and property prices have increased quite a bit. Still some pockets of deprivation and a middle class / poor divide.

It's a fairly small place, there's an Asda, B&m, Subway, a library in nearby Stenhousemuir. Falkirk is the newest town which has lovely parks but the town centre is absolutely dire.

The area we’re looking at is north Larbert near Kinnaird primary school. I wonder why they haven’t built many amenities with all the new houses going up?

And yes if it’s Forth Valley hospital you’re referring to then I totally agree. I opted to give birth to my second child there in 2019 and the hospital is beautiful and the beautiful surroundings had such a positive impact on my incredible birth experience 😊. I felt like the hospital was in the middle of a tranquil wood!

It’s nice but mostly houses and the hospital/train station but not much else. It’s the perfect spot for slightly lower house prices but an easy commute to Glasgow/Edinburgh. Falkirk town centre is dire. Schools get good reputations but all big/full/growing. Whats attracting you?

I used to live there but moved a few years ago. Kinnaird was an excellent primary- it had a lovely ethos, good discipline and lots of genuine parental engagement. My children were very happy there. It was very over capacity but I think it has been extended now. The high school has a good reputation but again is very big.
It’s handy for the train and has the basic shops/supermarket. Not far from Falkirk or Stirling for other things. People are friendly and there are lots of kids activities/sports clubs running in the area.

I am not far from Larbert and it never fails to amaze me how little it has in way of amenities considering how sprawling it has become .

It represents great vale for money and has good transport links but seems to be the very definition of a dormitory town. It does have The Tea House though - yum!

Hmmm seems to be a nice place then but just not many shops/coffee shops etc?

We currently live in a town which is lovely but quite divided (as much of Glasgow I suppose). There’s a very nice/affluent side and then the other side has deprivation and social issues. So I’m really cautious about new areas I don’t know!

The Inches and Kinnaird are nice and peaceful feel very safe walking around. Close to jump on motorway and train. Both schools seem good although I don't have direct experience. In Kinnaird there is a row of commercial buildings. These house a small Sainsburys, a lovely coffee shop, a few takeaways and looks like a dental surgery going in soon. All in all not overly exciting but safe and a nice environment to bring up a family in my opinion.

"I wonder why they haven’t built many amenities with all the new houses going up?"

It's the same in most other places with these developments. I tend to avoid them like the plague. We viewed developments before in the past, but lack of amenities put me off,tbh. I like walking access to a pharmacy, local shop etc.

@Hannah320

Hmmm seems to be a nice place then but just not many shops/coffee shops etc?

We currently live in a town which is lovely but quite divided (as much of Glasgow I suppose). There’s a very nice/affluent side and then the other side has deprivation and social issues. So I’m really cautious about new areas I don’t know!

Where are you at the moment?

Are you in Cumbernauld Hannah? As not great as parts of Cumbernauld is I don't think I would move from there to Larbet. I've had friends who have done similar and honestly regretted it due to their being nothing to do and nowhere to go. Good value for money though. I get the temptation.

Are

Yes that’s exactly what I’m worried about. We live in the Kirkintilloch/Lenzie/Bishopbriggs area (east Dunbartonshire) and we are pretty spoiled for things to do out here. I’m a stay at hone mum so feeling cut off is a concern of mine.

And yes the value for money is the temptation. You get such huge incredible houses that are significant lower in price than they would be in East Dunbartonshire. Prices here are just going up and up as families are flocking here now with all the developments going on..

What sort of budget/what size of house? If it's the Inches you are looking at, it seems relatively expensive compared to other places in the area that might be a better fit.

All housing in new developments are expensive. Doesn't matter where you go. You don't get much house for your money either. Got told years ago by a friend's dad who worked for one of the big developers to avoid buying one as they are not built well.

Yes it’s the Inches, that is within our price bracket. One of those houses in East Dunbartonshire would be well over 400K!

I'd have a look around Stirling OP, I think house prices are no different and from looking at what is available in the Inches at the moment, possibly lower, but with better access to amenities albeit a bit further on the train to Glasgow or Edinburgh. Decent schools and with in normal times, lots of available activities.

It depends what you mean by lots going on. There’s plenty of activities for kids/families - dancing, gymnastics, martial arts, football etc.

Larbert, Stenhousemuir and Falkirk are contiguous and in common with many areas, the high street is suffering but there are a few nice local shops and boutiques, M&S food hall that’s expanding, leisure centre. The Helix with the Kelpies, Falkirk wheel and Calendar Park are all nearby.

It’s actually a pretty family friendly place to live.