Doubts about moving to Dunoon

[Italian85]

Hello everyone! I would greatly appreciate some advice. Is there anyone who could help me?

I've recently received a job offer in Dunoon, and my husband and I have always dreamed of moving to Scotland. We're originally from the south of Italy and have two young children, aged 5 and 3. Our goal is to find a great place to settle down for at least the next 5 years, preferably in a rural community. However, as I've been researching Dunoon online, I must admit that I'm feeling a bit apprehensive.

I understand that negative information can be found about any place, so I'm not sure if this is a common occurrence. Nevertheless, I've come across comments stating that Dunoon is somewhat run-down and that its crime rate is among the highest in Scotland (which seems odd since I was told that the Argyll and Bute area boasts one of the lowest crime rates in the country). While the job offer is promising, my priority is providing the best opportunities for my children, especially considering that they don't speak any English yet. Their future is of utmost importance to us. Moving to Scotland would be a significant and transformative change for our family. On a positive note, we've heard that Scottish people are incredibly kind and welcoming. We are looking for a place with a friendly and tight-knit community and a pleasant environment to raise our children. Should we explore other options across Scotland?

If anyone could kindly offer some guidance, I would truly appreciate it. I'm feeling quite confused at the moment... Thank you very much in advance

That's a difficult decision for you. I don't know Dunoon, but that's a beautiful part of Scotland. I was near there recently - took the car on the ferry to the Isle of Bute, which is really lovely. And you'd have lakes near you too, and it's not far from Glasgow if you want access to a big city.
I think I've seen the article you've seen. Yes, Scotland has a drugs problem, and from that article it sounds as though this is affecting Dunoon due to a drugs hostel or similar? Is there any way you can travel to Dunoon and have a look for yourselves? If you want to live rurally, it might well be possible to live in a village not far from Dunoon, and send your children to the village school. Then you'd have a short drive into the town to work, and would avoid the kinds of issues you're worried about.
Scotland has its problems, as does the whole of the UK, but there would certainly be some big advantages to living here for a few years while your children are young. A chance for all of you to perfect your English and a chance to explore Scotland at a leisurely pace.

I live in a South coast city but hail from a working class area near Glasgow ( lived in pretty much North, South East and West parts of near Glasgow before and after children before moving here). Now that my kids are teens and adults ,I would move to Dunoon in a heartbeat! Lovely part of the country. Not been for years though . My aunt moved there about 25 years ago and found it too clique and not enough going on and moved back to West Lothian but that's cos she has about 50 clubs her and my uncle lol(still do in their late 70s). Me and my husband are more quiet. The schools I would say were a bit hit and miss last I checked . Might have changed now. Good luck!

I think Dunoon and Argyll & Bute is very pretty - some beautiful areas to explore around the coast and beyond. It used to be a holiday destination for Glaswegians back in the day, so with tourism shifting elsewhere it is a bit run down now but I wouldn’t say it is deprived. I think there’s a lot of investment going on to improve facilities.

If it were me, I’d prefer to live in a nearby village rather than the town itself, but it’s got a lot going for it. I dislike the drive through Port Glasgow etc on the either side of the ferry to get to Glasgow city centre, but that could just be me.

Might just be the parlance, when I moved to Scotland the woman who ended up my best friend there told me welcome to the heroin, knife crime and cancer capital of Europe 😎

had the time of my life and might have stayed on if not for brexit/better salaries in my home country.

I meant I would move now my children are grown up because of circumstances, ( like the bother of them sitting their exams etc ) If I had had a chance to move anywhere to Argyll when they were wee, I would have grabbed it! You are handy for so many beautiful places and not to far from Glasgow !

*too

That is a massive decision, especially if you haven't been able to visit the place yet.

I moved to a small village 7 miles from Dunoon twenty years ago with a young family and have worked in the town throughout that time. There are massive advantages to living here (friendliness, access to nature, low crime rates, quality of life, proximity to Glasgow) and significant challenges, too (limited childcare options, limited public transport, low wage economy, shops struggling to survive). You are right to do your research.

I would suggest having a look at the website of Dunoon Area Alliance (Community Development Trust) to help with some context. Home | DAA (dunoonareaalliance.org) and their community-run events website Come rain or shine there is always something going on in Dunoon - What's on Dunoon (whatsondunoon.co.uk) for a taste of what goes on here.

I like a visit to Dunoon, but not sure I’d live there. Have you considered Gourock and commuting?