Relocating to Scotland from USA. Looking for local opinions on good communities to settle in around Dundee, Stirling, and Inverness

[NovaSkycrest]

Hello everyone.

Our family is relocating to Scotland in the Summer of 2024 for my wife's work. I will be over there again in May 2023 to scout out neighborhoods in 3 towns we have kind of narrowed things down to for settling in when we arrive; Dundee, Stirling, and Inverness.

We are looking for local feedback for areas to consider for me to scout out during my upcoming visit. We are looking for a community that is family friendly, has good public schools, and has good public transit as we will not have a vehicle when we first arrive. I know "affordable housing" is subjective and markets shift back and forth, so we are watching all the local websites for home sales and renting.

My wife and I are over planners and have spreadsheets of information that help us prioritize our decision making in matters like this. But there is only so much numbers and data can tell us. Thus why I am coming to walk areas in May and get a feel for these towns and neighborhoods.

We have been to Inverness on vacation, but never really left the city center other than taking a cruise on Loch Ness. We do love the highlands, but we read that Dundee and Stirling are also good potential locations for us to settle as well.

Any information is greatly appreciated. We look forward to joining the Scottish community.

Note: We are looking for good State Schools. Sorry, we are learning the different vernacular for things.

OP, Dundee and Inverness are 130 miles apart! Where is your wife’s work based? A commute of that length would be exhausting, and in winter occasionally impossible when the A9 is blocked by snow.

It's not an area you have listed but Bearsden is a nice family friendly area, they are close to Glasgow but not too close.

The schools in that area are known to be good.

Be aware tax is higher in Scotland than England. And the schools and health services aren't as good.

There is also the threat of another independence referendum look at the big picture before you jump.

Where will your wife's job be based?

Yes depends on where wife's job is.
Inverness is great on paper but pretty isolated in reality.
Why those 3 areas?
How old are the children?

As others have said where is her job based? Stirling to Inverness is not a viable commute to do everyday.

Dundee, Stirling and Inverness are very far apart. Where will your wife be working?

I would rule Dundee out personally.

If you’re flexible with regards to location I would consider living near Glasgow. Bearsden Academy, Williamwood High School are both high performing schools. You will pay a premium for houses in the catchment area though

There are Americans in Inverness so I'd recommend there x

(I mean a community of Americans due to a large employer based there) x

Don't go to Dundee, it had little to offer.

There has been a huge investment in the waterfront and they will try and sell it to you because of the V&A but even that is shit.

Contrary to the other posters Dundee is actually pretty good for families - lots to do and a great base to explore further afield. Lots of investment in sustainable travel, the waterfront, and always holiday camps/activities available for kids. Broughty Ferry for instance is lovely and you could live close to the beach and cycle into Dundee itself along the waterfront. Out of the three places it's probably the easiest for getting around without a car.

But yeah it does really depend on where your wife's job is!

I wouldn't personally recommend Dundee. Have family north of Inverness and although it's not the prettiest city in the world, I like it.
I'd probably go for Stirling, it's close to lots of other places, very green, decent schools.
Is the Scottish NHS poorer than the English one? My family are NHS frequent fliers and our care is always exemplary!

Lots of investment in sustainable travel

Everyone other day the local bus company is cancelling loads of runs because they don't have enough drivers. The bus service is shocking and certainly not fit for purpose.

I would agree Scottish schools aren't always great (we go private for that reason) but I'm not convinced the NHS is any worse than its English counterpart, judging from what family who live down south say.

@premicrois to be fair I don't really follow bus news but was thinking more about the cycling developments (well, other than the ebike disaster!!)

Just out of curiosity (if you don't mind me asking), what made you shortlist these 3 places?

That’s a very random choice of 3 very different cities I’ve lived in 2 and would choose Stirling if I had to choose from those 3.

it’s pretty, lots of history, close to Glasgow/Edinburgh and a9 to highlands. Dundee is 1.5/2 hours away we go on day trips to Pitlochry, st Andrews, Glasgow, edin from Stirling so it’s very central if you like to visit other places. Stirling has good state and private schools too, depends what you’re looking for but I think you need to narrow down where you want to live and then decide on an area - research schools, budgets, housing etc in the area. I live in a lovely area, close to town and parks, schools etc it’s quiet and friendly. Hopefully you’ll find somewhere you love, I think somewhere you can visit lots of other places from would be ideal.

Another vote for Stirling.

Thank you everyone.

I apologize for some of the confusion from not expanded on a few things.

My wife’s job is remote, but her company has offices throughout the UK, and the rest of Europe. She can work anywhere and only occasionally has to go into an office. This why the list is all over. She will be on a work visa through them and they are somewhat assisting in the relocation process.

We are trying to gather data and information for lots of places. The 3 listed were some that we repeatedly saw listed as having good schools and good places to raise families. We are not currently tied to any one place, we are just attempting to narrow down to 3 since my upcoming trip there will be barely 2 weeks and I would like to spend time walking the communities we have narrowed things down to.

I'm going to echo what other posters have said and ask why you've shortlisted these 3 areas? Glasgow or Edinburgh would be my first choice. They are big so lots of choice of which neighbourhood to stay in. Loads of cultural attractions. Big cities but close to countryside too. Lot's of choice with schooling. Plus they are further south than the three you've chosen so (slightly) better weather.

Lots!! Sorry for the random apostrophe.

Inverness is lovely but quite far north if you are considering using decent airports for travel at all. Lovely area to bring kids up in though. Edinburgh is a lot bigger and traffic is horrendous in and around the city if that would bother you. Glasgow is also a big city and is wet and gloomy if that is something that would put you off. Dundee is in a good location with lots around and on the East coast so drier.

I'd also throw Perth into the mix. More central than Dundee, better schools and nicer fee than Dundee, nice area to live with great links to both Edinburgh and Glasgow and easy to head north as well.

I've lived in both Stirling and Inverness and travel to Inverness a fair bit as I like further north and sometimes I need to touch base with civilisation 😂
Based on the fact you don't need to commute so can choose any I'd go for Stirling, in terms of wanting decent public transport you have decent buses in town frequently because of the uni, van pop on the train to anywhere in the Central belt and far more options for everything really compared to Inverness.