Moving to Scotland around 6-12 months

[happysunshine8]

Possible move to Scotland

I would like to enquire about possible relocation move from Scotland maybe in 6-12 months time. We are from southwest London and currently no longer sustainable to live here as the insane cost of living is driving us out.

On the positive side, that's when we discovered the area. We fell in love with Scotland couple of years ago when we visited for vacation as husband and I simple love nature and overall vibe, we felt we're home.

Any suggestions on best commuter areas that support possible travel between Glasgow and Edinburgh? We are both working for the NHS. Our top priorities are:

1. Safe and quiet area, like a leafy community village vibe I would say this will be priority and very important for us.

1. Walkable to station due to husband having early shifts and late end shifts as he is a nurse and already have leg issues due to his nature of work. Main mode of transportation is commuting not car.

How is the commute during winter months?

1. Accessible amenities at most we can walk from a local grocery shop for 10-15mins? though this is only a plus.

1. We think of moving to highlands but it is too rural and remote for us that still want to have both of country and city life.

Also, any tips and advise between buying a flat (which is in Scotland a freehold but I still wanted to know the costs associated down the line) or a house?

Any up and coming areas or future developments? as we are also curious about the key worker deposit schemes, however I am quite wary that getting new build might have future issues or increased cost associated as well overtime.

Hoping to hear from all your experiences!

Linlithgow is lovely

I'd suggest looking around the Linlithgow, Larbert, Falkirk, Lenzie areas to start with, perhaps even Stirling or Dunblane if you are willing to commute for a little longer (there are fairly regular trains to Glasgow and Edinburgh).

My niece lived in Larbert when she worked intially at the Royal in Edinburgh then moved to a Glasgow hospital.

She now lives in Dumfries and Galloway as that's where her mum is.

Any thoughts about Larkhall area?

What is your budget? Kids?

Walkable to station due to husband having early shifts and late end shifts as he is a nurse

You might find he needs to use buses rather than trains, particularly for early shifts.

I would think about where you both want to work, and go from there.

I would also say Linlithgow or Falkirk near the High Station side rather than Grahamston. Whats your budget?

Larkhall would seem an odd choice if you are looking for a leafy vibe.

Agree Larkhall isn’t what you are looking for. Strathaven might fit the bill better but no train station so not what you are after either. Agree with PP that Dunblane or Bridge of Allan have villagey feel and on commuter line. Possibly you’d find more of what you want in a suburb of either Glasgow or Edinburgh rather than trying to be in the middle of both.

Fife - Dunfermline, Limekilns, Dalgety Bay, Aberdour, Burntisland

All lovely, good trains to Edinburgh, good schools, lots of amenities.

Linlithgow, Scottish Borders - similar.

The train stations are miles from the hospitals in Edinburgh so it would be an awfully long commute via trains, buses/ walking and expensive too. I don't think you could live somewhere and be able to commute to both Glasgow and Edinburgh.

Raigmore Hospital in Inverness.

Zero commute.

Shops, ice rink, swimming pool with slides, beaches, theatre, airport, mountains.

There's a reason why so many move up here from London!

100 per cent do not buy in Larkhall!

Perhaps look at whatever hospitals you fancy working in and looking at the commute around them. Look on rightmove for property prices. How much were you planning on spending on how many bedrooms?

Don't go to larkhall.

You need to decide which hospitals you'll be working in and take it from there. There's no point being near a railway station and commuting into Edinburgh as none of the hospitals are near a station.

I wouldn't recommend Larkhall tbh.
It's known locally for being a town full of sectarianism and Rangers FC fans - even some shops which normally have green in their signs don't have this in Larkall (Celtic FC association). I'm also not sure how easy a commute to Edinburgh it would be, Glasgow would be ok.

I would be very wary about relying on ScotRail to get you to an early shift or home from a back shift.
The trains are unreliable, and if you were relying on the first train of the day to a job you can not be late for you would be taking a huge risk.
Also if you are working weekends the first train to Edinburgh from where I stay, less than a 30 min journey, on a Sunday won't get you into Edinburgh until after 11am

We currently have no kids yet and the safety of the place is our utmost priority seconding the accessible commute. Our budget is on the low side of £220k max as we want a specific monthly mortgage with our long term budgeting.

Inverness was mentioned, we did check highlands area however it is quite difficult as only one of us might have work if we are to move because of job availabilities in the area as I am more on non-clinical role and specific skillset. It is a no prob for husband though as he can literally move anywhere xD

Thank you for mentioning that Scotrail will going to be a hit and miss as we thought that is the reliable part at least if we are doing to commute. And yes that is correct husband will be doing long day shifts as well.

Thank you very much for sharing possible areas around Edinburgh we will take note of this. Thinking of glasgow area if work is based there, is commuting from Falkirk or Stirling doable? how about during winter times?

Trains are no worse than anywhere else. People get to and from work every day. Of course there are occasional hassles, but I wouldn't overly concern with that.
You mentioned being non-clinical NHS. Is it a role that can be done WFH, because a lot of those that can be, are. And that would make a difference to your location options.
Yes, prime commute from Falkirk and Stirling to Glasgow, but the practicality of that for your DH will very much depend on which hospital he would be based at.
(And, as others have said, avoid Larkhall)

Don't know if you're aware @happysunshine8 Scotland has an Offers Over system for buying property. So you need to offer more than the o/o price advertised.
How much over depends on the popularity of the area, it's often 10% but can be more. You need a local solicitor who will know the local market and put the offer in for you.

So if your top budget is 220k you need to look at houses o/o 200k or thereabouts which is a small budget for some of the areas mentioned here and you're probably looking at flats.

I do got some inquiry response that mentioned this as well. Seems that offers over will going to another tricky element as from my inquiry with a mortgage advisor mortgage lenders will only lend the stated home report for the property and if let's say we have offers over bid, the difference on that will need to be paid by us as well which will going to be a challenge, housing market is really problematic anywhere (sighs)

I might proactively seek this out then with my applications in Scotland as my work here in London requires staff to be in office and not much wfh (only got one day a week)

National NHS boards, rather than territorial are probably your best bet for this, if it works job wise

thank you for the tip! will be on the look out

Hmmm. If you gave me a free house I still wouldn't live in larkhall 🤣

Try fife. Lochgelly or Methil

I think you really need to base this around your husband securing a job because there’s no point being on a train line if they don’t run early / late enough and the hospital is nowhere near a station at the other end. The borders general hospital and one of the small towns / villages along the borders railway line which runs into Edinburgh might suit you and houses are more affordable (but I’m not sure how much you’d get for £220k within walking distance of a station).

I think it would be a lot easier to find what you’re looking for if your husband could commute by car. Balfron, for instance