Alloa- opinions?

[Bonmish]

Hello,

We have found a great house in Alloa that meets all of our requirements, however, while trying to work out just why it was so cheap I came across the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation 2020 and can see half of Alloa is dark red- the 10th most deprived in Scotland.

Is it like this in reality- does anyone live there? We have teens so worried about the school too.

Any opinions appreciated, thanks.

I can’t give specifics on the area but I did find the Sun league tables for higher results useful. They are very imperfect as you just see the success rates rather than any other information but if you search for the name of the high school you will be able to see their previous years ranking.

Dear God, no.

I was foreperson for a High Court Jury and the murder victim and murderer were from Alloa. Their lives were pretty awful all round from childhood. The photos of their homes and environments were shocking in the poverty they showed.

Unfortunately people from ost towns and cities will have horrible upbringings and some will murder, it doesn't mean it is the norm in Alloa.

I live about 5 miles from Alloa and it seems ok to me, some nice houses and also some not nice houses too. It's got good facilities for such a small town but I don't know anything about the school.

Born and brought up there. Area has gone downhill over the years, lots of unemployment and the town centre has lost a few shops. Still have the major supermarkets though. Would think your kids would be going to Alloa Academy? The building is newish but don’t know anything about the school itself nowadays. Have a look online for the local newspaper. Alloa Advertiser and you’ll get a good idea of the area. Lots of new housing and there are sports facilities. Nearest swimming pool would be Stirling. Roughly about 15mins away. Don’t stay there now though. Suggest using facebook and looking at Clackmannanshire local pages.

SIMD can be really misleading. Don't take it as gospel that it signifies no-go areas. My specific part of Edinburgh is deep red, but it's perfectly sane and quiet. It can just mean there are a lot of households in the area that don't generate large income or sell for huge prices, which is true of my are because I'm surrounded with people in supported acommodation.

There are nice areas and people but a lot of drug use,town centre at bus station is where they congregate and in evening lots of feral teens causing trouble in town centre,making noise,fighting,smoking cannabis openly etc.Shops are mostly charity shops,bookies,barbers and takeaways.
No swimming pool or leisure centre as council did not maintain what was a thriving centre and chose to knock it down instead.There is a 'wellness centre"being built but well away from town centre and I dont think it is going to have a pool.
My son enjoyed school and did well there but you should check the results tables.
Basically,what was once a thriving town is now like a ghost town mostly ,food bank is very busy and well supported locally,lots of poverty and deprivation.

It's a shit hole. Really run down high street etc. I wouldn't want to live there!

Thanks for the opinions so far!

I live nearish, as previously said, some nice areas and some not so nice. Lots of open drug use in the town centre. Don't know a lot about the school but I do know people with teens who recently left school and they are really lovely kids.

Decent train service into Stirling and beyond.

I'd not want to randomly buy there tbh

That said, you could pick a nice area anywhere and still end up with a shitty neighbour.

Hill foot villages yes.

Alloa "Ma paw says I'm the best kisser in the hoosin scheme" webbed finger brigade. A shame given that Stirling and a decent part of Fife are close.