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Welcome to Scotsnet - discuss all aspects of life in Scotland, including relocating, schools and local areas.

Original poster

Where to relocate in Scotland with a budget of £800k

84 replies

Theaccidentalgardener · 31/05/2023 19:32

Where do you think offers a good quality of life in Scotland?

I have been living for too long in London and want to move back to Scotland. I’m originally from Edinburgh but going back to Edinburgh doesn’t feel like quite the “right” move. I also have family in SW Scotland but they live in areas too rural for DH who is originally from London to consider.

We currently have primary school aged children, so good schooling particularly secondary schools are key to determining our chosen location. Places I have considered are Helensburgh and Perth based on childhood memories which are probably out of date. Cleaner air, greener spaces and more house are what I am craving, but equally I am also seeking a place which is open minded and friendly to new people as potentially we will be moving to somewhere where we would know nobody. We both have flexibility with our jobs as we can work remotely.

Anywhere spring to mind?

OP posts:
Badbudgeter · 31/05/2023 19:35

Perthshire, lots of nice rural properties for your budget. Rural but within a short drive of town generally. Council do school bus transport.

Bongosbanjo · 31/05/2023 19:36

Paisley's good, just outside Glasgow but can also be rural or ruralish quickly. Decent properties nearby in Houston for less than you'd think too

brawhen · 31/05/2023 19:37

State or private secondary?

Perth, Stirling, Dunblane

gogohmm · 31/05/2023 19:38

There's a castle on sale in Shetland for £30k ... bbc website. Grin

weebarra · 31/05/2023 19:38

East Lothian, parts of Stirlingshire, Perth & Kinross, East Dunbartonshire.

TastesLikeStrawberriesOnASummerEvening · 31/05/2023 19:39

Bearsden?
I'd go towards Glasgow unless you want rural

TastesLikeStrawberriesOnASummerEvening · 31/05/2023 19:42

Helensburgh may suit you well, it has a lot to offer young families, I absolutely don't rate the secondary school, but it may have improved, and moreover by the time your kids are that age, but there's a private option too.
I live here.

aintnospringchicken · 31/05/2023 19:46

East Lothian if you enjoy a coastal setting.
East Renfrewshire has good schools

ApolloandDaphne · 31/05/2023 19:58

St Andrews fits the bill.

HeadNorth · 31/05/2023 20:01

North Berwick. Great train service to Edinburgh, fabulous beach, great community & decent school. Pricey though.

Bibbitybobbitty · 31/05/2023 20:05

East renfrewshire would be in budget, great for access to D&G to see family. Schools are good, generally high in tables for results etc.

Libelula21 · 31/05/2023 20:14

Dunbar is lovely, good schools (I’m told) and a nice community. You’re also on a train line that goes to both Edinburgh and London, so family and friends can visit easily.

Myself though, I’d be tempted by the Aviemore area. Again, good for trains to Edinburgh and London, Cairngorms are beautiful, skiing in winter, a great place for cycling with the NCN7 and the pump tracks at Carrbridge and Boat of Garten. Inverness not too far away

With that money you could buy a home and also a holiday let for some extra income / to accommodate friends and family.

I’ve almost just talked myself into moving too!

beetr00 · 31/05/2023 20:27

oops! am too slow 😀@Libelula21 offers same info.

DontTouchMyMug · 31/05/2023 20:31

East Ren for good schools and access to Glasgow.

Perthshire for beautiful countryside and access to the Highlands but also to Perth, and Dundee

St Andrews, East Neuk, or North Berwick for upscale (but in my view slightly dull) beach town

West Lothian for lots of house for your money. Near Linlithgow if you want to be near civilisation, I find a lot of W Lothian and bit... nothing.

We've been looking for a long, long time with a similar budget and can't find anything we like. We are looking around Dunfermline/West Fife coast as we absolutely love this area. Maybe one day.

Good luck with the move and good to have you back 😁

Sturmundcalm · 31/05/2023 20:36

TBH that's a massive budget for most of Scotland so does partly depend if you actually want to spend that amount and/or want a really big house?

Do you want the coast? Cause if Helensburgh appeals then I'd also consider the other coast and look at places like north Berwick and st Andrews. Whereas Perth I'd also look at places like linlithgow.

East Dunbartonshire always gets mentioned but wouldn't be my cup of tea as I feel most of the towns feel more like suburbs than towns...

TravellingJack · 31/05/2023 20:37

Unless your children are the younger end of primary school, I'd really recommend living in/near a city, so they have access to activities and public transport when they hit secondary.

I grew up in a small town with very little to do, poor transport which took ages to the nearest proper town, let alone city, and that was unaffordably expensive for me as a teen so I hated it. Yes, I'm projecting but when I went to uni I remember being so jealous of the opportunities other children seemed to have had, growing up in or near cities.

I live outside Edinburgh in a small town surrounded by beautiful countryside but less than half an hour to Waverley and about 45min to Glasgow. Best of all worlds!

ErmentrudeTheCow · 31/05/2023 20:38

Does weather bother you? Warmer but wet go west coast. Cooler and drier go east.
East Lothian, Fife, Perth/Perthshire, Stirling
All have good connections to getting to your family in SW.

GlasgowGal82 · 31/05/2023 21:11

Bongosbanjo · 31/05/2023 19:36

Paisley's good, just outside Glasgow but can also be rural or ruralish quickly. Decent properties nearby in Houston for less than you'd think too

With an £800k budget Paisley and Houston would be amongst the last places in Scotland I'd be looking!

Redglitter · 31/05/2023 21:17

Bongosbanjo · 31/05/2023 19:36

Paisley's good, just outside Glasgow but can also be rural or ruralish quickly. Decent properties nearby in Houston for less than you'd think too

Houston is lovely. Excellent schools - the high school is one of the best performing ones & really well placed for the airport. Nice & handy for Glasgow in one direction but travel the same distance in other directions and you can be at Ayrshire beaches or Loch Lomond

This is just outside the village

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/135418685

Check out this 5 bedroom character property for sale on Rightmove

5 bedroom character property for sale in The East Wing, Formakin House, Bishopton, PA7 for £620,000. Marketed by Corum, Bridge Of Weir

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/135418685

Redglitter · 31/05/2023 21:20

With an £800k budget Paisley and Houston would be amongst the last places in Scotland I'd be looking

I'll agree with Paisley but there's nothing wrong with Houston 😊

FuckoffeeBeforeCoffee · 31/05/2023 21:26

You're living my dream and I'm so jealous.

GlasgowGal82 · 31/05/2023 21:28

For schools and proximity to a city I'd be looking at East Renfrewshire and East Dunbartonshire (but not Bearsden because it's dull as dishwater) or Broughty Ferry outside of Dundee which is seaside and family friendly. If you are prepared to go a bit more rural/suburban but still be within 45 minutes train journey to a city I'd consider around Stirling (Dunblane of Bridge of Allan if you want to stay in a town) or East Lothian (Dunbar and North Berwick both lovely). Perth is a bit further out with some lovely bits but also quite down at heel in parts. Crieff, Comrie and Auchterarder are all close to Perth in very picturesque countryside and some decent schools - Aucterarder is best connected in terms of trains. If you want seaside East Neuk of Fife is beautiful and so many activities for kids - Anstruther, St Monans and Elie and all lovely little towns although I am not sure what the schools are like. I don't know much about Helensburgh, but I know quite a few people who have moved out that way and to other parts of Argyll and Bute since remote working has become a possibility and they are very happy. It's a beautiful part of the world. Someone suggested Aviemore but I don't think it's got the best schools - I know people who moved from there to Perthshire for that reason.