Largs or somewhere else?

[Isthatmcormac]

We’re going to be relocating in the spring due to DHs work. North Ayrshire area would be ideal. We have some connections in Largs and also in Ardrossan/Saltcoats/Irvine, but are really open to all possibilities.

Can anyone local give any insight into potential towns/areas? Primary school aged DC to consider so good school is essential. I WFH so commute doesn’t need to be factored in (and DH will be fine anywhere within North Ayrshire). I’m unable to drive for medical reasons so having some decent facilities within walking distance would be preferred (school/supermarket/doctor/chemist etc).

I should have said - we’ll be looking to buy a home. Ideally 3/4 bed. Absolute top budget for something immaculate would be £350k. Obviously needs to be adjusted accordingly if lots of work is required 😅
And it goes without saying - a lovely home for less than that would be much preferred!

West Kilbride is lovely. Nice village school, great beach down the hill in Seamill and lots of craft shops, as well as usual amenities. This one might be doable at your top budget and has gorgeous sea views. www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/127670195#/?channel=RES_BUY

This one might be more practical -www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/128297714#/?channel=RES_BUY

We moved to the area a couple of years ago and love it. You can definitely get something in any of the NA towns/villages with that budget. Problem in Largs is property moves so very fast. Not sure if that's slowing at all recently, but when we bought things were on and fully booked for viewings within hours, closing date within a week and going for well over.

With primary kids, Largs is good as I believe are the villages either side, Fairlie and Skelmorlie which are both catchment schools for Largs Academy. West Kilbride is a nice "craft village" with a decent primary too, but its catchment secondary is Ardrossan. Most kids seem to placing request to Largs and come in on the train, but I would be very nervous of taking that risk if your kids are younger as they are planning to build a lot more houses in WK. Largs is the only secondary in the authority I would be happy with for my own DDs and is why we ruled out WK. I wouldn't be happy living in any of the the three towns (Ardrossan, Saltcoats, Stevenston). Snobby it may be, and there are some lovely properties down there, but the feel of the towns is very run down and there are significant social issues.

Based on what you've said about not driving, I do think Largs itself is most suitable, with plenty facilities in walking distance. I don't need the car day to day and mainly walk around town. And most of the kids' activities for the north part of NA are in Largs.

Yes, that would be a downside of West Kilbride. The new Largs campus looks really smart and has a good reputation. This house looks like it has potential though the photos are a bit peculiar. www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/125771273#/?channel=RES_BUY

@CharlotteByrde Thank you, really helpful 😊 I had been looking at West Kilbride/Seamill area but the school catchment did worry me and I also read some things on local FB groups regarding huge numbers of new homes being built? I don’t know how far into plans that is but I wondered about the school becoming overcrowded.

@largsresident It sounds like Largs would be ideal for us 😊 we’ve spent lots of time there over the years but obviously living there is different so it’s nice to know you like it. Have you been made to feel welcome? Are there particular areas of the town that would be better for housing? I have been watching the market there for a while (we actually viewed a few then!) so I know it was particularly fast over the spring/summer but I’ve noticed things sitting on the market a bit longer now. We’re happy to rent for a while until we find somewhere we love - although rentals seem to be few and far between too! 😅

Yes we definitely feel welcome in the town. It's an older population in general but lots of 'incomers' from other parts of Scotland and the UK so we don't feel out of place. I do find the lack of diversity a bit strange as we've previously lived in cities but that's just how it is here.

You are never too far from anywhere, there are a few streets that aren't so lovely but that's pretty obvious when viewing or looking at street view and it seems like you know the town better than we do!

Rentals are scarce but I've seen a few ok 3 bed ones come up lately, you can't be too choosy with that, and it should only be short term hopefully. The estate agents told us demand really increased after covid with people wanting to move out the cities and work from home. And even with Largs being the more expensive end of the region it's still a bargain compared to equivalent properties in the city. With such a fab location. I never tire of the views.

There is a lovely 3 bed rental mid terrace on indigo letts - Seabank avenue Largs. A small street, near the pencil, close to the main road with its own bus service. Gorgeous sea views. Also 2 nice houses for sale in walkerston avenue nearby.
I agree Largs is a lovely town. Avoid Nelson street, Seamore street, George street like the plague.