Opinions on Tain, Dingwall and maybe Inverness

[talkingdeadscot]

As the title says really. I'm English, currently living in Edinburgh, have lived in Dundee. My daughter and her family live in Culrain.
The situation is I'm leaving my husband and want to move nearer my daughter but don't really have any experience of the Highlands except to visit.
I'll be 60 when I move and I'll be alone. I work from home so that's not an issue. I have health problems so will need to have access to a hospital. I don't have a car but I can get one if it'll make things easier.
Does anyone have any thoughts on the above areas? Anything I should be aware of? Thanks for any help you can give

Dingwall is a decent shout; nice, quiet but with easy access to local amenities and not far from Inverness for larger city access/hospital / superstore.

It depends really on what quality is life you’re after, and what’s important to you? Happy to help as I know both Inverness and Dingwall well. Can’t really comment on again, other than it’s further away from the others.

@Windingroad21

Dingwall is a decent shout; nice, quiet but with easy access to local amenities and not far from Inverness for larger city access/hospital / superstore.

It depends really on what quality is life you’re after, and what’s important to you? Happy to help as I know both Inverness and Dingwall well. Can’t really comment on again, other than it’s further away from the others.

Thanks for the response! I want a quiet life but also access to shops and classes like U3A (which they have in Inverness) Would somewhere like Dingwall be welcoming or am I better in a city like Inverness do you think? I've never had any issues but I've never lived in a small place?

It’s hard to tell whether it would be welcoming, wouldn’t like to say. I’m sure like every place it’s as good as you make it in the community, and whether you want to integrate, join groups and initiatives or keep yourself to yourself.

Inverness is more ‘happening’ and more to do, but that comes with downsides too (busier, more £ house prices). Without going too far from either of your ideas, what about somewhere in the peripheral of inverness? North Kessock in the north or Culloden which sits just south of Inverness. I think either of these could be good options.

Would need to know more about lifestyle and budget to comment further, both nice choices though.

I know all three areas and all have their advantages.
Tain is definitely the nearest to your family and is a nice small town. Dingwall is bigger, probably more going on.
Inverness is obviously a city but I wouldn't choose to live there, I find it soulless,

@Windingroad21 Thanks, that's useful. I'd be looking at around 140k for a 2 bed place which appears to be doable. It's a big step and tbh I'm not really sure what sort of 'lifestyle' I want, this will be the first time I've ever lived on my own! I'd love to live by the sea again though, I really miss it.

Thanks @weebarra I agree about Inverness, it's not the prettiest city I agree. The attraction there it really that I'd be close to everything I need but also I could just get on a train to see my daughter.

It's absolutely terrifying having to make such a big decision on your own but it's gotta be done. It might just come down to what properties come up where at the right time.

www.hspc.co.uk/Semi-Detached-Villa-For-Sale-10B-Knockshortie-Road-Portmahomack-IV20-1RL

This is a lovely village with a very active community vibe. About 15 minutes drive from Tain and right on the sea.

If you have health issues then I would choose Dingwall or Inverness as travelling from Tain to the hospital in Inverness regularly will be pretty arduous. The train also takes a long time, the bus is actually quicker.

Have you thought about somewhere in between Dingwall and Rain maybe Alness for example? Shillinghill, Caplich road and Obsdale are nice. It's on the train and bus routes. It also has more amenities and shops etc. It's about 25 minutes from Inverness. I live in Inverness and love it but I know a lot of people but I doubt you would get a house in a decent area for £140k.

@Fundays12

Have you thought about somewhere in between Dingwall and Rain maybe Alness for example? Shillinghill, Caplich road and Obsdale are nice. It's on the train and bus routes. It also has more amenities and shops etc. It's about 25 minutes from Inverness. I live in Inverness and love it but I know a lot of people but I doubt you would get a house in a decent area for £140k.

I'd be looking at flats for that. I don't really know what are and aren't decent areas so are there any you think I should specifically avoid in Inverness? It is difficult not knowing anyone I can ask but I don't really have any other options. My daughter loves Culrain but it's just too remote for me. My preference would be to stay in Edinburgh but a) it's too expensive for me on my own and b) I'd hardly get to see my grandson. Maybe I should start at Nairn and work my way round the coast

You can get a 2 bed flat in Inverness for £140k but really the better areas like Inshes, Milton of Leys, Culloden, Culduthel tend to be more expensive than that plus things are going offers over. Milton of Leys and Culduthel are not ideal if you don't have a car as the bus service is terrible. Flats under around £120k tend to be in less desirable areas.

There is a flat just now on Royal Ness Court for offers over £140k which has a complex for over 60s but you may not like that idea. However that area is beautiful as it overlooks the river Ness, has parks, a gorgeous walk and is 10 minutes walk to town and 15 minutes to the train station so it's ideal for shopping, lunch, day trips plus nice if your daughter takes your grandson down as it's brae Whin park, crazy golf, the leisure pool etc.

Nairn is lovely but full of tourists all summer so busy. Also be aware when thinking about were to buy buses are pretty poor in Highland region so getting a connection to Inverness then onwards could involve a lot of waiting.

I personally wouldn't buy in Merkinch, New Hilton (old Hilton has much older houses). New Hilton is around MacIntosh road.

All great info, thanks. I'll have to see if I can up my budget a bit and widen my options.

Good luck.

I’m from Nairn, worse places to live. A bit away from your daughter but closer than edinburgh. Near the hospital, train station and bus service. I miss living by the sea. I hope you find somewhere that makes you happy op it’s a big step but might just be the right one for you

Thank you @Tinkerbellfluffyboots79 that's very kind of you

I have two friends living on the Black Isle, just north of Inverness - one in Culbokie and one in Fortrose. Both popular areas, as is Rosemarkie.
I’d advise renting for a few months and getting a good feel for the area.

I live in that general area moved here as an adult moved away then moved back because I missed it.
Really happy where we are have plenty of amenities nearby so don’t have to go to Inverness all the time but easy reach on Inverness.
Don’t see any reason you wouldn’t be made to feel welcome certainly in my location lots of locals snd lots of non locals here. Great place to live (slightly biased)

@Papergirl1968

I have two friends living on the Black Isle, just north of Inverness - one in Culbokie and one in Fortrose. Both popular areas, as is Rosemarkie. I’d advise renting for a few months and getting a good feel for the area.

I won't be able to rent unfortunately, it'll be all or nothing and this move will hopefully be my last.

@LooksBetterWithAFaceMask

I live in that general area moved here as an adult moved away then moved back because I missed it. Really happy where we are have plenty of amenities nearby so don’t have to go to Inverness all the time but easy reach on Inverness. Don’t see any reason you wouldn’t be made to feel welcome certainly in my location lots of locals snd lots of non locals here. Great place to live (slightly biased)

Thank you. I've never had any issues but I guess I'm just worried because I'm moving on my own. I should just embrace it and move to wherever I can afford thats near the sea

Have English relatives that moved to Tain and love it. They got a bungalow for less than your budget. If this is to be your last move, consider public transport should you need it. Smaller places along or close to trunk roads are generally better served.
I love the Moray Firth. Hopeman and areas around are lovely. Loads of outsiders because of the air bases. Nairn is on good train route and Aberdeen and Inverness both accessible. But then further from your daughter.
You need a good tour about. Can often get the premier inns in Elgin and Inverness for great prices. Can't beat gut feel for a place

@talkingdeadscot well if you end up in the area I know all the best places to get tea and cake so give me a shout

Hi
im wondering how you got on with your move? I’m in a similar situation in my life and it’s scary. I’m flexible about location but need to move for a strong sense of community and also good property prices.
any suggestions from anyone would be really welcome. I’m thinking of a nice Scottish town.
🙏