Where to move to in Scotland?

[theycallmebon]

We are looking to relocate to Scotland and because we are self-employed we can live anywhere (well where budget allows - cost of living amirite?) Which of these areas would you recommend for a family of 4 - children’s ages 6 and 12, so looking for good public and secondary schools. We wont need to commute for work, and we like a leafy suburban feel with restaurants and shops relatively close (within driving distance). Beach within 45 min drive a bonus. Budget to buy a 3 bed, 1 bath semi-detached £230,000 but terraced is good too. On the list we have (but are open to more areas as we know nothing about Scotland):

Dundee
Dunfermline
Perth

Any helpful advice would be appreciated for this soon-to-be honorary Scot married to a Scottish lass’ son. TIA. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

Hiya, we did this last year with a similar list, although went for Glasgow for family reasons. I'd have a look at the suburbs to the north of Glasgow (Lenzie, Bishop Briggs, Bearsden, Milngavie) and the equivalents to the south (which I don't know well at all yet, apologies). You'd have access to central Glasgow easily enough too as well as out to Ayr for the beach, especially from the south. Budget might be a wee bit tight but I don't think impossible depending on the area. Send me a private message if you want to chat to someone who's done it fairly recently!

Have a look on TSPC for Dundee, that will give you property listings in and around Dundee. Broughty Ferry would fit your list but you may struggle with your budget.😊

Lenzie is the epitome of leafy suburbia, I grew up there, but not so close to a beach.
Going a bit east - Dunbar?

Brave move if you know nothing about Scotland. As people will tell you, it's not England

Dunbar isn't going to work with that budget, sadly

True, I thought some of the new builds might be affordable. Still on the east coast, Midlothian is underrated.
Easy into Edinburgh, decent schools.

espc.com/properties?locations=midlothian&minbeds=3plus&maxprice=325000

espc.com/property/26-old-dalmore-gardens-auchendinny-eh26-0rr/36177676?sid=686845

Both Perth and Dundee great options, agree with pp that Broughty Ferry worth a look if you want to be near a beach. I'm in Perth and find it great for family life - small city, comfortable to live in as not too big/hectic, town centre isn't amazing but we do have a good selection of independent shops and there's loads to do, see and visit nearby especially if you're outdoorsy. As for schools, can't comment on Dundee or Dunfermline but I don't think the Perth high schools have that great a reputation (though my DC are younger so I have no first hand experience of the high schools here). Feel free to PM if you've got any questions :)

Should have added don't think you'll have an issue finding something here with that budget, e.g.: www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/138018989

Out of interest why have you randomly decided on Scotland if you know nothing about it? Northern Ireland would tick your boxes MUCH better. Derry, Coleraine, Belfast, Bangor, Newry, all of them would be perfect and NI has a grammar school system with some of the best schools in the UK.

Helensburgh. Every time.
(Budget might be a wee bit of a squeeze tho)

If you can't afford Broughty Ferry have a look at Carnoustie and Monifieth. They're right next door to BF but more affordable.

Also look at Invergowrie just next to Dundee.

Why does NI tick her boxes any better than Scotland?!

I don’t think Derry or Newry have the leafy suburbs she is looking for, and Holywood and South Belfast aren’t cheap.

If the budget is £230k, they should be looking for houses on at offers over £220k max. Maybe it depends on the area but around here (outskirts of Edinburgh) something on at offers over 225 would have a home report valuation of 230 at least, maybe even 235, and you'd have to offer at least the valuation to get it.

Meaning?? Lived both places and not at all sure what you mean.

Perthshire absolutely gorgeous. That's what I would pick.

I only plucked up the courage to move here after 10 years on the border, because I felt I had begun to understand the differences I suppose. Maybe it's because I'm in Edinburgh that people get fed up with some of the misconceptions about Scotland.

True

Laurencekirk has a good secondary school
It's a 15 min drive to Montrose which has a lovely beach.
Easy driving to Aberdeen, Stonehaven or Dundee.

I would go for Inverness

Fife might be a good option. Specifically the North East of fife so maybe Cupar? Reasonable sized town, train station with links to Edinburgh, Dundee, Perth, Glasgow, Aberdeen. Good secondary school and a couple primary schools, local collage, community hospital, swimming pool, parks, tesco. 20 mins drive to beautiful St Andrews with great beaches. Housing affordable and well within your budget. I grew up just outside Cupar. Good luck with the move!

The nice parts of NI aren't cheap anymore sadly! I grew up there and am always daydreaming about moving back. It used to be "omg a perfectly nice house for £100k in a nice town near Belfast". Now it's not an awful lot cheaper than some nice parts of England. Obviously not London but elsewhere

Free tuition fees in a few years time?

I have lived in NI and Scotland. Would also pick NI on that budget. If you don’t have plenty of money in Scotland it’s well, a bit crap. Schools no where near as good as NI, and unless you move somewhere in the arse end of no where it isn’t particularly attractive. Plus cost of living is way higher- more income tax and council tax rates are wild.
plus the whole gender stuff 🙈

Suburbs are not really quite the same thing in lots of parts of Scotland as they are in England. In the north east for example the Aberdeen city boundary is quite small and then you've separate small towns.

Stonehaven would tick your boxes but the budget is tight for what you want
https://www.aspc.co.uk/search/property/418486/16-Forest-Park/Stonehaven/

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/137055869

Strathaven lovely town, decent schools, great village feel? 3 bed Detached in budget!!