Crieff vs Auchterarder

[NikkiBM]

Hello,
Looking for some advice. My husband and I currently live in central Scotland and are looking to relocate. It needs to be the right move as we plan on this being our 'forever home'. We have narrowed it down to a few areas with Crieff and Auchterarder currently at the top of our list and would be great to get some opinions on where would be best (we are open to other suggestions too).

Here are things we are taking into consideration for our move (in no particular order):

1. We are big foodies. Food is a big part of our life. We love going out to nice restaurants, cooking, trying new food/restaurants etc. We also enjoy a good takeaway every now and then (although takeaway scene is not as important as having a good selection of proper nice restaurants nearby).
2. We want to live somewhere very dog friendly (lots of dog friendly establishments, nice dog walks, plenty greenspace, good vet, decent out of hours emergency vets just in case).
3. Good, friendly community and low crime rate. Somewhere welcoming of 'outsiders' (mentioning this as I know some small towns/villages can be a bit funny with new people).
4. Good healthcare (GP, Dentist etc) close by and not 'too much' of a travel time to hospital (just in case of an emergency).
5. Must have good Internet/phone signal in area (very important as we both work from home).
6. Good independent shops as well as a supermarket nearby (preferably an Aldi).
7. Decent salon and also massage available nearby.
8. Good wild swimming spots nearby (this is not something we currently do but we would like to take up).
9. Beautiful scenery, wildlife, semi-rural (not interested in living in a polluted, crowded concrete jungle but also do not want to be so remote that it rules out lots of other things on our list).

10. Don't want to be too far away from Stirling (within a hours drive) - family live there. 11. Car mechanics nearby. 12. Transport links (we have a car so this is not mega important... but just don't want to feel 'cut off' if our car was ever out of use for a period). 13. Worth mentioning we like older style houses (rather than new builds) with decent sized garden etc - we have this where we are at the moment so wouldn't want to have to give that up for an area with completely astronomical house prices. 14. Community events (ie Highland Games etc), Community groups/activities that we can get involved in.

Based on above, would be great to hear your thoughts/suggestions! Thanks!

@christabellax we LOVE visiting St Andrews... beach is gorgeous and lovely restaurants, bars etc. The things which put us off is that it is a bit further out and house prices are very high (in comparison to other areas we are looking at). You mention places within 10 mile radius of St Andrews - are there any of the places in particular you would recommend?

Oh sorry you are the OP!

You are correct that a few places have closed. The Good Choice closed not that long ago and The Royal Hotel owned by Fairview is still empty. But it in no way does the village look run down comparatively to a few years ago.

Well my family live there so I am there quite a lot and it’s my opinion that it has, a bit. You seem a bit over-keen to be “right” on a thread that’s just about helping someone decide where to live.

Just popping in to ask if you have considered Killearn? Doesn’t meet all your requirements but probably most of them.
Everyone I know who lives there loves it.

I came to say that!

Killearn to Stirling 20 miles ( an hour on the bus)

Not over keen to be right. I live in Bridge of Allan, I’m not a visitor to the village. So I’m well aware of what Henderson St looks like. It isn’t run down.

@Plumpribbon I really don't know why you keep commenting on my posts... you have not contributed anything useful (like others kindly have) - you're being a bit of a troll to be honest. If you don't have anything better to do and that's how you want to spend your weekend... taking jibes at a stranger on a mumsnet post...then rock on I suppose... whatever floats your boat 🙄

I did grow up there. Not a stranger. Now starting to wonder if you might be someone I know from school…

PS I am sure your property value won’t be affected by someone like me having a different opinion to you!

OP, scratch my suggestion of BofA, not only is it a wee touch run down these days , you might end up living next door to @Plumpribbon!

Dunblane is a funny one. I always feel like I should like it more than I actually do when I get there. Can’t put my finger on why, the centre is pleasant enough, but it does have quite a lot of sprawl of 1970s style housing on the hillside and I think that the views are less good than from Stirling or BofA.

I don’t know Auchterarder, but Creiff always had a nice feel to me and it’s ideally located for you. You haven’t mentioned Callander but a bit too touristy I think and also a bit run down.

@Timeandtune we looked at Killearn a while back and had our eye on a property there. The thing that let it down was the Internet. Although, I agree the area seemed very nice. It may be worth another look. Thanks for that.

@TimeandMotion I couldn't agree with you more! 😂 I do certainly like Dunblane plus it has a train station (which Crieff does not). Callander is definite no - exactly for the reason you mentioned. I actually drove through Callendar last weekend and (as pretty as it looks), it is certainly 'overly touristy'.... trying to get through the high street.... we may as well have been sitting in rush hour traffic in a city centre lol. I have to admit I am leaning more towards Crieff at the moment the more I think about it.... and like you mention, it just has a nice feel to it.

@maldivemoment @Livinginaclock I have never considered Helensburgh. House prices seem very reasonable and there seems to be nice scenery round about. I will certainly take a closer look at this. Thanks.

@NikkiBM if you do a bit of research you’ll quickly discover it really does tick all your boxes.
love it here! So close to Loch Lomond for a swim yet 40 mins by train to Glasgow and a v pleasant, straightforward drive to Stirling. Plus we’re very blessed to have independent retailers; fishmonger, fruit & veg shop, etc.
Great selection of coffee shops & restaurants too!

Auchterarder is fabulous and more accessible than crieff.
Good luck sounds a fabulous move either way

I'd go for Auchterarder - there are more groups (the community sport and recreation group has a lot of people involved) than you think, plus some nice wee shops (nice things as well as butchers and bakers). The benefits to Crieff (Remake, Aldi, swimming pool) don't outweigh the proximity to the A9 and easier road to Stirling and Perth. It doesn't take that long to get to Crieff from Auchterarder so the benefits are still accessible.

Highland Games at Crieff are excellent, they have them in Blackford I think too.

Crieff is easier for parking in general than Auchterarder, much more space all round.

There is a wild swimming spot near Comrie, The Linn, but I think there might be places nearer to Crieff for that too. Give me a shout and I can find out where if you want to try it.

With regards to vets, Crieff vets is now owned by corporates and I believe no longer offers 24 hour care. There is a vet in Dunblane that has good reviews from quite a few locals, as have some of the vets in Perth. I think Dundee is an option for out of hours care which is probably 45 minutes to an hour away. I'm not up to date as I no longer have animals but I'd advise a fair bit of research to find your best choice.

There are two garages in Crieff that I have used and would recommend them. There are another two that I haven't tried but they've all been going for a long time so must be doing something right. There's also a place for tyres which is well respected.

There are quite a few eateries in an around Crieff - there's Lalique at the distillery if you're looking to spend a lot down to Fiona's van for a soup and a bacon roll which is highly recommended by many.

I could go on but I'm boring myself now. If there's anything else you want to know, just ask 🙂

Crieff is pretty grim if you're a foodie. My ex in laws are there. I found the food options depressing

I live in Dundee and it would basically tick all the boxes. You don't need to live in the city. Broughty Ferry on Monifieth might be up your street, or Newport on Tay/Tayport straight across the bridge.

Milngavie has everything on your list, though may feel more suburban than you might want.

I think Crieff fits nearly all of your requirements really. There is Crieff Food Shop, I think it’s called, for nice bits and pieces, plus an Aldi. Nice feel and great dog walks, either riverside walks (the one from the old Christmas shop/ tourist shops as you come in, towards Muthill by the river is a favourite of mine) or up the knock. Garages and plenty of services. Some nice restaurants, including Kroov on James Square. I don’t know Auchterarder as well but I have a soft spot for Crieff (even though I don’t live there).

Bansheed · Today 14:15
Crieff is pretty grim if you're a foodie. My ex in laws are there. I found the food options depressing”

What???!!! Fabulous independent food retailers. Cooks’ heaven.

I second @christabellax , Sounds like you want St Andrews. Dundee is missing out re the "good restaurants" criterion, but apart from that, Broughty Ferry, on the outskirts of Dundee, would fit everything else.

Would Aberfeldy be worth considering? Not sure about the foodie fulfilment but there are nice restaurants around there.