Schools in Dunfermline

[Squicknick]

Hello. We're moving to Dunfermline and looking for primary and secondary school recommendations, ideally Catholic. Can anyone give me any insight into St Margaret's primary or St Columba's High School, which would be our catchment I think. Thanks!

The housing market is really quick at the moment. Local houses have been going to closed for offers within a week.

I might come tomorrow all in a sudden, so need to fix everything in hurry. will come to Dunfermline for viewing and am will probably take train to Dunfermline. or should I go to Edinburgh train station and hire a car there and go for viewing self drive? I checked there's train from London to Dunfermline town, or should I come directly to the town and take bus instead? much thx

I would go straight to Dunfermline on the train and then bus or taxi to the viewing. Depending on where your viewing is, it might be walkable.

okay I take your point, now go to book train ticket to Dunfermline.

Make sure you get off at the right station - there's main town station and a smaller halt *Queen Margaret) a wee bit further on .

oh I am just trying to figure out which station I should pick, thx a lot

my question might sound silly but I really want to ask, what else I have to pay particular attention when viewing a house for purchase? I have prepared the home report and shall I check every details with the report during viewing? what specific questions I should ask? thx this lovely helpful community

You still need to get a survey before you buy as far as I know (it's been 15+years since I moved). Also, once an offer is accepted you will find that contracts are exchanged more quickly than they are in England and you're tied into the purchase - it means that gazumping isn't a thing and you know exactly when you're moving house.

I bought 5 years ago - the seller has a survey (home report) and we didn't have to do our own on top of that but you could if you wanted. I don't know anyone who did though.

the home report of the house that I am going to view tomorrow has indicated number of repair category 2, does that mean those I have to add on cost for repair before I safely move in? just want to estimate total cost of the purchase, thx a lot all.

Single Survey category repairs
The Single Survey contains information on the features and condition of various parts of the property, and the building of which it is part (if applicable). Each aspect of the property is given a category rating of 1, 2 or 3.

Category 1 indicates that no immediate action or repair is needed.
Category 2 means that repair or replacement will be required in future and it is recommended that estimated costs are obtained prior to purchase.
Category 3 means that urgent repair or replacement is required immediately and estimated costs should be obtained prior to purchase.

espc.com/news/post/how-to-use-a-home-report-when-buying-a-property

Thx all. I finished my viewings and found the house marked quite a no of cat 2. Considering add on another sum of money for the fix up, but no idea how much would that be? and the home report was prepared june 2021 with £10k shortfall of market value as compared to existing asking price. Is this normal for a home report prepared nine months ago? And is it usual practice to fix up all cat 2 issues before move in? Just want to consider and access the cost, pros and cons of doing so. Thx a lot

I don't think the seller does any of the Cat 2 repairs, the cost of the house will take them into account for you to do in your own time. If you have a mortgage, it's up to your bank to decide if they will lend on it with the work still required.

It depends on what the issues are...surveyors tend to write a lots warnings, often because it covers their liability if a roof fails or the windows leak - often these things won't be quite so urgent and you can do them when you're ready and able to afford it.

The house had obviously been tricky to sell as most properties are selling quickly around here. Is it an area issue perhaps?

I had no idea indeed. Maybe if i call to the estate agent tomorrow they should disclose to me?

I would take legal advice about the home report - I'm amazed they can "last" almost a full year without needing to be updated.

If home report was done last June that would suggest house has been on market for a long time. That's unusual in current market where things are selling very quickly.
Either overpriced, dodgy area or something about property making it difficult for people to get mortgage are the usual reasons

hey all, just share update that we backed to London after viewing two properties in Dunfermline. made one offer but failed to beat the rest... the property market so up at the moment and would it be more realistic I rent first when I get school place from School? Dunfermline High has asked me for details which I did reply and so far Queen Anne has never responded to my request. Am loop here, any advice? thx all.

or, should I consider other area because of my tight budget? but I feel very good with Dunfermline after last weekend visit....

You want a 2-bed in a decent area? Do you require a garden or anything else specific?

This flat is in Crossgates - it's a village on the outskirts of Dunfermline very near to the large park & ride with buses going all over Scotland. It's on a main road in the village, but it's only really busy at peak commuting/school open & close times.

If I was looking for somewhere on your budget I would probably look a this one.

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/120284522#/?channel=RES_BUY

The school bus for St Columbas picks up at 0827 and drops off at 1602 (half-day on a Friday), otherwise the catchment is for Beath High.

This is on the same street for the same o/o price

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/120567386#/?channel=RES_BUY

My son prefer garden house if within budget. Never been to crossgates, hows the vibes there? And hows Beath high as compared with Dunfermline high ?

And How about Bo'ness and Livingston? Never been there too but want to learn more about the area.

You get a shared garden with both of those flats - actual houses in that price range are not in areas I would choose to live in. If you could stretch to £125k or more you might get a 2-bed house.

Crossgates is OK, I'm not sure of the vibe but it's certainly a community with a few shops and services and it's close to transport links. I would live there.

Beath High is a reasonable school - it doesn't get great results but pupils who work hard will get lots of support to achieve, especially in the senior years.

Boness (Borrowstounness is it's Sunday name) is where my Grandmother came from and I have memories of visiting there as a child. DH and I went through last year for a wander and found the town to be absolutely dead on a Saturday afternoon - not a soul out in the streets. I went into a local pub to use the loo and all the (male) heads turned and looked at me as if I was an alien. Obviously women are not common in there.

We haven't rushed back.

Livingston is a 'new town' comparatively - a good way out of Edinburgh and has a huge shopping centre. You won't find anything in your price range in the better parts.

I went to Woodmill and echo what a previous poster said about it being very mixed socially. I had a decent education there and from the kids I know now I would say I've heard good things about it.

I would absolutely avoid Queen Anne, the fact they have a lovely new building doesn't mean it's a good school.

Their priorities are al wrong, my DD was suspended twice for three days for refusing to wear her tie while a kid in her class who randomly attacked another child got a telling off and was back at school the next day. Bullying is pretty rife there, the teachers never did anything about it and joined in themselves sometimes. I used to have to visit the school loads and always saw loads of rowdy kids.

To the Saline posters, I live very near to there. It's strange there are so many locals on Mumsnet.