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

[Theaccidentalgardener]

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 Places I have considered are Helensburgh and Perth based on childhood memories which are probably out of date.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?

On reflection I may be guilty of tarring the whole of Renfrewshire with the same brush!

Gullane
Dollar
Helensburgh
Dunblane
Perth
Bridge of Allan

Thanks to everyone who has replied and taken the time to offer feedback. You are giving me lots of food for thought. My worry is whether the some of the smaller places would offer much for teen living? I would prefer not to be in a city, but can see the advantages for teens!

What is the southside of Glasgow like? You seem to get quite a lot of house for your money there. In terms of schooling, we could afford private but if a good state option was available then I’d go for that. Thanks for the posting the league tables.

North Berwick seems to be quite popular on other threads, but it’s interesting to hear some of you have mixed opinions on the town.

You could go somewhere semi rural eg Eaglesham, where you can access good schools & still get in to Glasgow.

With Thorntonhall or Carmunnock, you'd want to go privately.

Giffnock. & Whitecraigs are suburban with good schools, as is Newton Mearns.

For Pollockshields or Newlands (further in) I'd go private.

@Theaccidentalgardener
I had linked Crammond, lovely village in Edinburgh, near enough to city but has a stunning beach.

Southside of Glasgow is an amazing place to live. Very diverse, lots going on, family friendly, large number of great parks, good for teens. There's a variety of housing styles and you'd get something pretty good for £800k. Shawlands academy is a decent school if not stellar.

I had linked Crammond, lovely village in Edinburgh, near enough to city but has a stunning beach

Flight path! The planes are touching height

Balfron maybe ? Pretty rural but close to glasgow/Stirling/Falkirk good schooling

£800k is an amazing budget for Scotland. If I had that budget and could move anywhere excluding Edinburgh I’d probably pick St Andrew’s. Second choice would be Glasgow (West End). Maybe have a look on Savills as they will have a good range of properties in that price range across Scotland.

Southside of Glasgow is a great place to live - lots of flats, but you'll find houses in Shawlands, Strathbungo and Crossmyloof all close to great parks, lots of little shops and cafes and good links into the city centre. State schools aren't amazing, but I know teenagers who are thriving there and there are a couple of decent private options too. However, lots of people do their sums and decide it's better to save on school fees and move across the local authority boundary into East Renfrewshire where houses are more expensive, but state schools are excellent. If I was doing that I'd start my search in Clarkston because I think it's got the most life about it, however there are also more suburban areas and more rural areas if that's more your thing.

There's not a lot on the market in Southside Glasgow/East Renfrewshire at the moment, but this house is rather lovely: https://www.zoopla.co.uk/for-sale/details/64745193/?search_identifier=46d80ed1c0d3fa6ca95080030ced5c58a25cb2da8157fb8f38b559bd73632996

And this one is interesting if you like modern/lots of potential: https://www.zoopla.co.uk/for-sale/details/63284800/?search_identifier=3a4e8774ba6bfd912dd585eaffae6a9b5ceeba5fef216eb6a6e467ff68efd298

Also lots of new builds available in Newton Mearns.

For me outside Edinburgh it’d be north Berwick, bridge of Allan or dunkeld

It does depend where you are moving to. In quite a few of the places mentioned you'll get something nice but not exactly earth shattering for £800k! In my view anyway (maybe that's why we've not been able to find anything we like with the same budget!)

North Berwick is really popular on MN. It's not for me - it's a bit out of the way of things for my liking (I prefer better access to Glasgow, Dundee, Stirling). I also feel it's got a bit of a snooty feel to it but maybe that's just me...

Southside of Glasgow is ace for teens, it's like a micro-city but with a good community feel. West Glasgow is good too, more suburban than Shawlands (in southside), half an hour from Loch lomond,good train links to everywhere.

Southside would be good although schools maybe not as good as East Ren or East Dun. If you want victorian villa type houses near a private school search for where the Glasgow Academy has its feeder primary schools, there is one southside and one north plus their main west end site. Jordanhill is a safe choice if you want naice suburban but less diverse than the southside. The High School of Glasgow is also good private school.

Villages with good state school options nearish Glasgow which may suit you are Clarkston, Kilmacolm, Milngavie, Lenzie.

Inverness is lovely lots going on, but surrounded by beauty and Loch Ness etc

One place I’m surprised hasn’t been mentioned is Bishopton. Good links into Glasgow, very mixed in terms of ages of the residents, and they’re also expanding the town so it would be good for someone from London who doesn’t want to be too rural.

And on the flight path

Crap bus service too and I wouldn’t really call it a village! Traffic is terrible too as everyone uses it as a rat run to avoid queensferry road.

Not sure I saw it mentioned, but what about Portobello which is just outside Edinburgh? @Theaccidentalgardener The bus is really quick into Edinburgh, it’s got a nice feel and it’s a beach town.

I think you need to narrow down what you're really looking for as that budget will get you a decent sized family home in just about any part of Scotland apart from the very posh bits of the major cities. .......Do you want rural, suburban, small town? ......Do you need to be close to transport links such as airports for mainline railway stations to make travel for work or to see family easier? .......Do you want your kids to become independent teenagers or are you willing to commit to being their taxi service for all activities until they can learn to drive or leave home?......Do you want easy access to the highlands or the coast?

Forgot to mention Jordanhill in the west end - although it's entry requirements are different from most schools

Unless you're on the waiting list as a baby you probably won't get a place at Jordanhill School. But the High School is there too and houses are nice round that way

Yes agree. People who move into Jordanhill catchment with kids already school age often can't get a place

I think you actually have to buy a classroom in the school to get in!
A friend of mine has kids there and the now 10yr old was registered at birth.