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!

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

The issue is more whether they start early enough, and particularly at the weekends.

Which boxes did Larkhall tick? That might help identify somewhere else.

I commited to an Edinburgh hospital from Fife when the road bridge was closed for weeks. It was awful. Spent loads of taxis and never made it to work on time

All the Aberdeen hospitals are on one huge site, Forrester Hill, not far at all from the city centre, easy commute.

Fife is a good bet. Some new train stations have popped up recently (for example Leven) with links to Edinburgh if that's where you want to work. There are also big hospitals in Kirkcaldy, Dunfermline and a short hop across the bridge to Dundee or over to Perth. Fife is generally reasonably priced unless you are keen on St Andrews which is most definitely not.

I'm guessing just the low price.

Have you looked at Borders General Hospital?
Melrose is gorgeous and an easy bike ride away. Selkirk is quirky but good bus routes. The area is really pretty and there is tweedbank station which is a direct train to Edinburgh.

Your budget doesn’t leave a lot of scope, but even with offers over you should get something. This flat is right next to Stirling train station which is ok for Edinburgh & Glasgow. Also a much closer commute is Forth Valley Royal in Larbert which is a massive hospital, there are also houses/flats in your budget in Falkirk/Larbet/Stenhousemuir, there are good bus links to Forth Valley Royal.

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/149069645

I think that where you are able to get jobs will need to be the driver for where you look at properties, as commuting areas for Glasgow and Edinburgh would be quite different.

I would definitely steer clear of Larkhall - property is cheap there for a reason - it is not a nice place and unless you happen to be originally from there and are used to the extreme sectarianism (e.g green traffic lights are constantly getting smashed and it is the only place where green shop signs have to be replaced with another colour) I wouldn't consider moving there, no matter how cheap the houses are!

Possibly look at somewhere in between for a better idea, e.g Stirling or Perthshire areas. They have more the kind of vibe you seem to be looking for.

Depending on which hospital you are both going to be working in and what type of property you want will make a big difference to what you need to look for.

Maybe look at renting first before committing to buying anywhere. As others have said, the Scottish buying system is quite different to what you may be used to - e.g the offers over system, which can mean that property sells for a lot more than it is originally advertised as.

Make a few trips to check out areas before you make the move up. You might be better looking at flats initially and a new build is more likely to be a fixed price, so you know exactly what will fit within your budget.

Good luck!

Is Ninewells hospital an option? Broughty Ferry/Carnoustie or Tayport/Newport would be a good option for you.

Noooo!! Avoid North Lanarkshire at all costs (I left their many years ago have never ever regretted it). It's a poor area, loads of problems, very sectarian, bd shops - in fact it's everything that is bad about Scotland in one single town.

Dundee area is excellent. Ninewells Hospital is a huge teaching hospital with a good reputation. Houses are as cheap as chips in and around the Dundee/Angus area compared to rest of country. One and a half hours to Glasgow, an hour to Edinburgh, an hour to Aberdeen. Good train and bus links. Yes, Dundee itself has some social problems, but the suburbs are a delight (Brought Ferry and beyond on one side, Birkhill, Inchture etc on the other) and of course Tayport/Newport across the bridge in Fife. If you're buying in Scotland you need to factor in 10-20% over advertised prices due to bidding system.

What about Ninewells in Dundee? It's a big teaching hospital. You could easily commute from Fife, Dundee or Angus

If a house is o/o it will usually be offers over a value slightly under the home report value.

Gorebridge? May be reasonable commute to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary.

Husband and I will be on early start, at least in our current commuting which is also 1hr and 10 or 20 mins approx in London. We typically leave from residence 6am or 6:30am

@treadingonlego Chose Larkhall because of the house prices mostly, we wanted to settle for long term and be in a 3-bed house where the area and surrounding area is safe and quiet. Not interested much in night life as we are both introverts and home buddies. Also the area doesn't have to be fancy snazzzy as long as it is clean and safe and decent schools

@YouAndMeAndThem That mustve been a day! It is not always easy when you are frontline as it cannot be oh well no transport, will just wfh type of thing at least for husband.

thank you @Tinybigtanya we will also consider aberdeen

thank you @Horsesontheloose do trains get delays? or only occassional? how are the buses over Fife?

indeed the low price, mostly of house as we are so tired with our current rent trap situation and staying in flats

thank you @WhyIhatebaylissandharding we are indeed working on a budget for properties, our goal is not to overstretch ourselves when it comes to monthly mortgage payments long term (hopefully) at the price we are comfortable paying monthly. Thank you for sharing the link, however we are aiming to have house

thank you for these tips @soontobeamama most of our applications is in or around Galsgow, narrowed down areas are:

Coatbridge or Airdrie
Bishopbriggs
Kirkintilloch
Paisley
Dargavel
Robroyston
Hamilton
Giffnock - Between Barrhead and Newton Mearns?
Erskine
Inchinnan

Dumbarton or Helensburgh - but not sure because of floodings

Will you be able to provide some feedback or experiences around these areas?

We haven't had a look at Dundee because there's been a lot of online articles that the area is rough and not good, is this true? Bit scared to venture too far out as not sure if friendly for Asians like us

@mydamnfootstuckinthedoor will take Larkhall out as it was mentioned quite a few times to avoid. Thank you!