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.

If you are considering to he Glasgow - Edinburgh area, be aware that the large oil refinery at Grangemouth/ Falkirk will be closing down. A large employer and unlikely to be replaced with a similar business so cheap properties but depressed area.

When you arrive you will not be required to pay got NHS services. This is because you intend to be here for over three months. Don't let anyone try to charge you for NHS services "because you're not Scottish".
It is advisable to bring medical record copies and any important medical letters. Ask the surgery to scan copies into your notes. Get the originals back!

Be aware that some people will expect you to have a hotline to the President or that you can influence US foreign policy!

I'm from rural michigan and find UK clothing not quite the same as US women's clothing. I don't know if it's diet, or genetics but I do get clothing packages sent from the US. Been here 20 years!

Quite friendly and welcoming from most here. Some expect us all to be Housewives of Beverley hills, and forget that most of us are regular people. There is/ was a media portrayal of Americans as very rich but gullible and some of the webbed finger brigade think this is a fact - a "dinnae get ideas above your station. "

Welcome to Scotland!

Moving to Stenhousemuir from Cambridge, EN

Hi all! I Happy New Year!

I and my husband are relocating to Stenhousemuir - currently buying a property there and will make the move around March 2024.

Our first choice was Stirling followed by Linlithgow but not many properties coming up in these areas (and when they do, they can be expensive) so we decided Larbert / Stenhousemuir would be a good option.

We don’t have children yet but this is planned for later in the year. Our jobs are flexible so we could choose almost anywhere in Scotland but we love Stirling, plus wanted an easy access to airports for flying to England so Larbert / Stenhousemuir sounds good!

We’re not into pubs, etc. so I’m not too bothered by the lack of amenities in this area - we just want a quiet and safe area with green spaces to raise a family.

My question - I read in some other threads that we should avoid the area behind Asda called The Valley because of the social housing… The house we’re buying is 56 McLachlan Street which doesn’t seem close to the Valley but I’m a bit uneasy and wanted to double check with someone more local! We did only an online viewing before making the offer so have never visited Stenhousemuir (but the reviews are good enough to know we’re not making a mistake.)

Can someone local please help with advice about this particular street?

Also, we’re in the catchment of a few primary schools - is anyone better than the other?

Many thanks ☺️

I don’t live in Stenhousemuir but have worked in and around - it’s not a fancy town at all but a very normal, family area.

your street looks like an ex council house, probably of an age where it is well built and will last for a long time.

btw, I would heartily recommend a sit in meal at the Tea House in Larbert - it’s lovely

Second the Tea House - excellent and also does a great gluten free menu!

If someone Scottish thinks you have a direct line to the president just because your American there not right in the head! That’s not a normal thing to come by.

Although i guess it’s probably like us Scots being asked if we know everyone that lives here (seeing as most Americans think you can cover Scotland in a day!)

Sorry, I don’t get your comment… I’m not American- we live in Cambridge, England… I understand this forum is for people to ask questions about all matters Scotland related and I’d expect only those with relevant knowledge to comment… If you can’t contribute with a meaningful and helpful comment, why waste energy chipping in at all? Anyway 😂

You're writing on someone else's thread and the OP is relocating from the USA.

To be fair the only one "chipping in" here seems to be you

The OP is relocating from the USA hence reference to the American president