Possible move to Glasgow

[MouldBuster]

Hello, I need a bit of advice on a possibility that has presented itself. We currently live with two children in the SE of England. My husband is originally from Glasgow but no family there anymore.
An opportunity has come up for us to move up and we tentatively want to explore whether we can consider this.

He'd be mostly working from home but possibly need to commute into Glasgow city centre every now and then so we need to consider transport links.

I'm a teacher and I know jobs in the central belt are rare so we'd be relying on just his wage for the mortgage. I think our budget would be around £150k which is obviously not big. We may be able to stretch a bit.
Things we would like:

• ideally 3 bedrooms but I hear you all laugh so 2 is fine and they share
• safe area for us all, especially for me and the children out and about
• a small outdoor space
• We are living in a flat now and hate it for a variety of reasons. Ideally I want to deal with as few neighbours as possible for repairs and stuff (currently dealing with an issue for 5 years as other people refuse to get it done) so a bit weary of a flat or terraced houses but it is what it is obviously.

I have had a look on Rightmove but with offers over and not knowing the outskirts well I'm not sure whether places I've looked at are realistic. Some houses are very cheap but then could be that the area isn't very nice?

I'm basically here for a reality check. Ideally we'd like to make this move as we are completely priced out of our area here and I'm genuinely worried how we will continue to afford things, and this job seems great. But I want to be realistic.

Thank you

Remember with Scotland having an offers over bidding system @MouldBuster you should expect to offer at least 10% over the asking price and in popular areas 20%.
So if budget is 150k you need to be looking at properties at offers over about 130-135

Can't help you with Glasgow as I'm nearer the east, but hope you're ok with rain!

Thank you, so maybe look around 20 percent under budget to give wiggle room?

We've lived in Glasgow before as students and a while after but then moved down south for jobs. But we've realised it's not really where we want to raise our family

What I meant to say is I'm aware of the rain. Not my favourite bit but it's ok

It's not an easy market right now unfortunately (anywhere). PP's point around the offers over system is worth noting. You need to be looking o/o less than 150k and also prepare to have money over and above your deposit amount as many properties sell for over their home report valuation which you'd need to pay in cash. Also bare in mind any "good" properties sell very very quickly and/or go to closing date so viewings might be an issue for you if you're far away. If you have a property to sell, you might be better selling that first and moving into rented accommodation in Glasgow initially. However realistically your budget is unlikely to get you what you want in good areas. Ayrshire tends to be slightly cheaper and still within commuting distance of Glasgow, prob worth a look.

I think if you want to get more for your budget I’d probably come wear if Glasgow into Renfrewshire. Maybe look at Johnstone, Lochwinnoch are they are on the main train route to town with stations within walking distance.

You could even edge into North Ayrshire but you’d probably need to drive to stations.

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/120052580#/?channel=RES_BUY
It is possible. Kirkintilloch has good schools . It’s 10 minutes in the train to the centre of Glasgow, and 15 - 20 minutes car drive. Near the countryside, but also near town.
There are some rough areas of Kirkintilloch. It’s best to avoid Hillhead. This house is in a good area .
There are new builds in the centre of Kirkintilloch. But out with your budget a bit. No bidding on them though
www.smartnewhomes.com/new-homes/property/kirkintilloch/

No idea what kind of teacher you are but there do seem to be some jobs going www.myjobscotland.gov.uk/councils/east-dunbartonshire-council/jobs?type=internal,external&page=4

North Ayrshire is a good bet.

Thanks everyone, we aren't opposed to being further out. Obviously as students we were spoiled and lived in the West end but we know we could never afford anything super local. Commute for me at the moment is 45 minutes in the car and my Husband almost 2 hours with a 1 hour train into London plus a walk so distance while annoying is something we are used to.

Several people have mentioned North Ayrshire, do you have anywhere in particular in mind?

@Welcometothehumanrace yes I can believe the market being insane at the moment. I definitely think we'd sell down here first as we could then look more easily. Only worry there is school as I wouldn't want to move my children more than once but we are still a bit off that (below school age now)

@Yellow85 thank you, I'll look into those places. Great to have specific suggestions.

@RunnerDown that first house looks very good, thanks! The newbuilds seem out of our reach unfortunately although I will have to do some extreme number crunching.
I'm a primary teacher and all I'm reading is quote doom and gloom with people being on supply for years which would be tricky. I feel it may make sense to get a house we can afford on one wage and then I can get something once we have settled.

@Rekorderlig88 thank you, do you have anywhere specific you think could work? Just so I have a starting point on Rightmove to check.

Maybe look at a garden flat in somewhere like Cardonald, Mosspark or Kings Park. Not the sexiest of locations but decent transport links and their schools are ok (not wonderful but ok - and SIL's dd - they live in Mosspark - still went on to get a degree and Masters in marine biology).

Dh's deceased mum's house (garden flat in Cardonald) is (or rather is about to go back) on the market for about £95k. Needs some work done on it but it is technically 3 bedrooms (although for a family, you'd probably want to convert the room off the lounge into a better sized kitchen than the teeny tiny one off the other side of it). Plus a garden. Only one other flat to deal with for communal repairs

I usually promote Shawlands - but I'm aware of your budget and your desire not to live in a close

Try looking at North Lanarkshire towns and villages. Public transport into Glasgow is pretty good. I bought a four bed detached last year for £160k. It is not the prettiest of villages but only twenty eight minutes by train to Central Glasgow.

This one is in Symington, South Ayrshire.
Easy drive to Prestwick, Kilmarnock, Troon & Ayr for trains to Glasgow.
Well under budget, 3 bedrooms & a garden.
I’m not saying it’s ideal…..but Ayrshire is great for your money & East/ South Ayrshires are always advertising for teachers.
www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/120024323#/?channel=RES_BUY

Our equivalent of PPA time is being increased by 90 mins in the next 18 months so things should be improving soon. There are always jobs going if you’re willing to go into the tougher schools.

When it comes to supply, there are no agencies. There are some daily/ short term posts, but also ‘permanent supply’ contracts (ime most new teachers get these), which cover long term leaves.

You’ll need to register with the GTCS too. Good luck!

If you're prepared to look at Ayrshire, would you consider Stirling or Falkirk? Stirling is an amazing place to bring up a family (and teach) DH commuted in to Glasgow for a while and it wasn't bad.

@prettybird thank you, we hadn't really considered a garden flat but you're right, I'd be more than ok with that. I'm currently in a block of 10 flats and nothing ever gets done so we have been living with leaks and other issues for years. One other person would be luxury compared to that

I do know Shawlands but under no illusion we could buy there.

Being a teacher schools are definitely important to me for the children!

@Finfintytint thank you I will. Sounds like you got a great deal there!

@FelicityPike that's a lovely house! Why do you think it's not ideal, do you mean location wise?

@criticallie that's wonderful about PPA time, there is just never enough is there? So maybe there will be a job which I would want. I just don't want to say I'll definitely find one immediately and would rather have a smaller place and then earn extra cash if possible. We could then always upgrade after a few years?
I saw your pay scales up there are better too which is nice!

@Lidlfix oh we definitely would, I just don't know much about either having only ever lived in Glasgow. Sounds like a definite option though and I'll have a hunt on Rightmove. Is most of Falkirk or Stirling ok area wise or anywhere you would avoid absolutely?

I moved from London to Glasgow about 10 years ago, sold a 3 bed flat, bought a family house for the same money and have never looked back. There are lots of good areas just outside city of Glasgow. Try Stepps, Chryston, Kirkintilloch, Torrance if you are happt with N/E out of the city. Its a quick bus/train journey into centre and countryside is on your doorstep.

I saw your pay scales up there are better too which is nice!

Yes, and the EIS are fighting for another rise. I know a few teachers who have came up from down south and generally they’re quite happy with things up here.

Yeah I wasn’t sure if it might be too far out for what you’re looking for.

Neilston is affordable, on the train line into central Glasgow. Maybe Stewarton, a little further out? www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/118405949#/?channel=RES_BUY

Re areas, you'd maybe get a small new build around Crookston for for your budget, or Mosspark. Not gorgeous areas but quiet enough and an easy commute to the centre.

Old Kilpatrick or Dumbarton might be an option? 30 minutes train to Glasgow, near to Loch lomond and countryside.

Have you thought of and Galloway? Theres a fast train (1 hour) from Lockerbie to Glasgow Central ideal if youre not commuting every day. Lockerbie itself is a bit run down but there are some lovely villages around it. Dumfries and Galloway is often called "Scotland forgotten corner" its very beautiful and very peaceful so I accept not necessarily for everyone it has a lovely long rugged coast line and I find everyone is very friendly. If you want busting city life/large shopping centres etc its not the place for you but especially if you enjoy an outdoor life its a great place to live.
We bought our house 14 months ago and paid the asking price as I believe did my neighbour a few months ago but this may not be typical

Sorry link was meant to read Dumfries and Galloway.

Have a read through this recent thread. The poster was looking to rent but on a pretty small budget and there's some good chat about areas which might be useful to you.
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/scotsnet/4445236-Moving-to-Glasgow-areas

[quote emmathedilemma]Have a read through this recent thread. The poster was looking to rent but on a pretty small budget and there's some good chat about areas which might be useful to you.
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/scotsnet/4445236-Moving-to-Glasgow-areas[/quote]
I just read that thread. Wow!

Sometimes I think Mn is a parallel universe.

Whole towns where I know interesting and intelligent people live and send their kids to school written off as shitholes. It's absolute BS