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Scotsnet

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

Original poster

Where to move to in Scotland

60 replies

tartankween · 26/12/2023 09:24

Hi, we will be looking to relocate to Scotland end 2024. We have shortlisted these areas as possible places to settle and would appreciate any feedback if you live here with secondary-aged children attending public school. A bit about us:

We work fully remote so dont need to commute.
Renting at first but then will purchase after a year so have to consider a place where we can find a rental but also can buy eventually (rental budget £1800 and purchase budget £400k - 3/4 bedroom - any property type except a flat)
Our daughter (11) is big into the arts (singing, fine art, drama) and son (5) is big into sport (golf, cricket, football) ie we at least need access to some parks so he can swing a bat or so.
Our son is currently doing Occupational Therapy for hand dominance so may need a bit of extra support learning to write.
We have no hobbies because we are always exhausted lol but we do like a bit of shopping (including thrift shopping), golf, hiking, and eating out at restaurants/cafes.
We are suburb people and have no preference when it comes to old-school charm/new builds. Either or will work for us so long as the area has a good reputation and is clean.
Welcoming community.
Good public secondary school (doesn't have to be the best in the league table but good teachers and modern/clean facilities. Our daughter is an exceptional academic and we are confident that she will make the most of the opportunities presented to her and do her school proud).

Ok areas of interest:
Bearsden (not the poshest parts of course but have seen houses within our budget)
Kirkintilloch
Bishopbriggs
Dunfermline
Livingston
Stirling
Perth
Anywhere that deserves an honourable mention that I have missed?

We are of course aware of Linlithgow and North Berwick (as well as Midlothian) but don't think our budget will get us there.

Any kind and positive feedback about your own experience is appreciated.

OP posts:
TheLadyIsAVamp · 26/12/2023 15:42

I too have been looking at moving back to Scotland and have been looking at Stepps or some of the nicer areas of Cumbernauld. Not sure about schools etc though as that doesn't effect me.

Pitbulllove · 26/12/2023 15:47

Do you mean private school or state? East Lothian is lovely. Have you considered Scottish Borders?

BigBoysDontCry · 26/12/2023 15:52

JSMill · 26/12/2023 15:03

The only one I've ever seen in the Glasgow area was in the west end.

Show quote history

Bit of a diversion from the Op but you sparked my curiosity enough to Google and there are more than you would think in the Glasgow area. Not spoiling for a fight though 😁

Where to move to in Scotland
Frozeneyelashes · 26/12/2023 16:03

We stayed in Auchterarder until six months ago. It's a fantastic place to live. Lots going on, thriving high street, excellent restaurants, good community feel and excellent travel links. Golf in Auchterarder and within a couple of miles at Gleneagles. Has a village feel but facilities of a much larger town, there's going to be a cinema and arts centre in the future. It also has the best doctors surgery I've ever known, by far.

Crieff is in a dramatic setting, is more picturesque and a nice place to live, but there are more empty shops and parts of it feel a little run down.

Perth has received a lot of funding and I suspect will become more desirable with the opening of the new museum and regeneration of the centre. I don't mind Stirling, BoA is decent. Personally I'd avoid Bannockburn, parts are rough. You might like Dollar, and it has a thriving cricket club.

HerMammy · 26/12/2023 16:05

Winchburgh could be considered if you've thought of Linlithgow

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/142752935

JSMill · 26/12/2023 16:17

The only reason why I'm aware of even the West of Scotland one is once we were invited to watch my dad's cricket mad Sikh friend play cricket there and then have a lovely meal at the Wickets hotel across the road. At the time, I was astonished that anyone played cricket in Scotland!

eatreadsleeprepeat · 26/12/2023 16:17

NB is expensive but the rest of East Lothian isn’t and has a lot to offer in arts terms as well as sport and surroundings.

TastesLikeStrawberriesOnASummerEvening · 26/12/2023 16:21

Helensburgh has everything you want, plus is on the train line to Glasgow and Edinburgh.
You can be on the banks on Loch Lomond in 15 minutes, or the middle or Glasgow in 40.

Original poster
tartankween · 26/12/2023 16:22
Awesome Rock And Roll GIF

Thanks sooo much everyone. Apologies for causing confusion, I mean state school. Your replies are super helpful. Thanks a ton!

OP posts:
coolkatt · 26/12/2023 16:25

perth is expensive. look at Dundee and Angus. loads of your doorstep but not in the top price bracket and not living on top of each other. beaches. city life and full of history up the east coast. brilliant for the arts. and also outdoor life. often overlooked which is what i like. plenty city or country opportunities for work and housing.

Frozeneyelashes · 26/12/2023 16:25

One thing to bear in mind is the weather. Far more rain in Western Scotland than the Eastern side.

Bonnylassie · 26/12/2023 16:37

We have lived in kirkintilloch, I wouldn't avoid it like the plague, but I would check how well the secondary school is, it's one of the worst in East Dunbartonshire (the local council) but in relation to Glasgow I think it's good. Bishopbriggs - the school system has recently changed and if you want to get into the non religious school you might have a problem if your daughter's year is oversubscribed, my daughter is also 11 so going into S1 in August, I have no clue if it's oversubscribed, but she will get in with the criteria. My parents live in Winchburgh, I'm on the local FB page for them and it seems a really nice community.

Suunnyd · 26/12/2023 19:11

eatreadsleeprepeat · 26/12/2023 16:17

NB is expensive but the rest of East Lothian isn’t and has a lot to offer in arts terms as well as sport and surroundings.

Some schools are better than others though which was one of the considerations

Cottagecheeseisnotcheese · 26/12/2023 19:17

There's a cricket club in Helensburgh and plenty of arty stuff. Hermitage academy is in top third of schools I have mixed feelings about it but also probably more to do with Scottish education in general and politics than school itself.

Coolblur · 26/12/2023 19:28

JSMill · 26/12/2023 13:33

I can't believe Kirkintilloch is on that list! Avoid like the plague. Lenzie is attached on to it and is nice (I grew up there). Stick to the older Victorian streets. Your ds will struggle if he likes cricket. It's almost non existent in Scotland.

Surprisingly, there's a cricket club in Livingston (Murieston-decent area), so while not as popular as South of the border, it is played in Scotland.

Newnameforanewyear · 26/12/2023 20:48

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/142392395?utm_campaign=property-details&utm_content=buying&utm_medium=sharing&utm_source=copytoclipboard#/&channel=RES_BUY
If you'd consider Aberdeenshire then our house is on the market. Easily commutable to Aberdeen and Dundee. Close to train at Stonehaven and schools are good. Loads of outdoor activities close by and a cricket club in Aberdeen. I've just name changed for this but have been here for years

Check out this 4 bedroom bungalow for sale on Rightmove

4 bedroom bungalow for sale in South Headlands Crescent, Newtonhill, AB39 for £400,000. Marketed by Yopa, Scotland and The North

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/142392395#/&channel=RES_BUY

BeethovenNinth · 26/12/2023 21:54

Your house is incredible! Those views!!

MissHoollie · 26/12/2023 21:57

What about a small town like Dumfries
Excellent schools .. good arty as in drama.dance.art..music etc scene.
Cheap houses .

Newnameforanewyear · 26/12/2023 22:08

@BeethovenNinth thanks - it's been a great home but too big for us now. The views are amazing

CoatOfArms · 27/12/2023 08:28

Agree with a lot most people have already said. We are in Bearsden and have been here about 20 years, like it very much and happy with the schools. One thing I would say is that there is hardly any rental accommodation here at all and issues with school places - you'd have to rent in catchment for the school you want.

CoatOfArms · 27/12/2023 08:31

MissHoollie · 26/12/2023 21:57

What about a small town like Dumfries
Excellent schools .. good arty as in drama.dance.art..music etc scene.
Cheap houses .

I have close family living in Dumfries. Lovely countryside around about but it is a very small tome a long way from anywhere else - a good 90 minutes to Edinburgh and Glasgow and not great public transport. The town centre is just awful with so many empty units.

weebarra · 27/12/2023 08:38

I grew up in Lenzie too @JSMill (like the username!) and wouldn't say to avoid Kirkintilloch, some of the new builds seem very nice and within catchment for Lenzie Academy.
Lots of the towns in Perth and Kinross are nice - Doune, Dunblane, Milnathort etc.
I'm in Midlothian and lots of options here and in East Lothian - personally I don't like West Lothian but lots of people do.

Malarandras · 27/12/2023 08:45

Scotland might be relatively small but saying you are planning to move here does not narrow it down all that much. Where you go in Scotland will make a huge difference to everything. Do you need ready access to a major city? If so, which one? Do you want the central belt or do you want more rural? I’ve lived in Glasgow all my life and I would not recommend moving here right now as it is not in a good place. The best state schools in the country are in East Renfrewshire but house prices reflect that. It’s hard to provide more specific feedback though as your criteria is quite general.

KirstenBlest · 27/12/2023 09:55

Scotland isn't particularly small, but it varies a lot. I also think you need to narrow it down. Something like central belt, rural/semi-rural/village, within x minutes from school/hospital/airport/motorway/countryside etc.