Relocating to DUMFRIES area ? (good and bad bits please?)

[ARoomSomewhere]

Thinking of moving to Dumfries area ...

Moving from rural Scotland and want more life about us - me, wanting to work as a counsellor, and Autistic young people (18, 21) who might need pt college / pt work / some sort of ASD friendly support / social life, without driving if poss.

Will also need ongoing cardiac support at local hospital / possibly referrasl to nearest big city hospital.

I realise this is all rather specific so can any Dumfries folk please tell me the general good & bad bits I'd need to know?

Bump.

Bump

Moving to Dumfries for somewhere with life. Hmm would you not be better off moving to Glasgow or Edinburgh?

Dumfries doesn’t have much life. It’s dead as a Dodo.

Where would you be moving from OP? Dumfries doesn’t strike me as the most lively of places but I don’t live there. I do spend a lot of time in the area though.

A family member has excellent care in the critical care ward at Dumfries hospital but I don’t know specifically what they are equipped to deal with.

There is a parkrun and a junior parkrun 😄

Same thoughts as above. Why Dumfries? Would you not be better somewhere bigger than Dumfries to fulfil your needs?

Yes, Edinburgh or Glasgow better but I don't have a big budget. I need 3 beds & as much space & Privacy as possible (2 Autistic young people & I really need space to start a home businesss too, so a city flat or modern box on a suburb estate probably no good)

mum lives not far from Dumfries and my grandparents were from there too so I have been visiting for decades.

Like many towns the town centre is a shell of its former self. SO many boarded up units. The Maxwelltown area is quite nice, and Georgetown. Out on the Lockerbie Road there are lots of new build houses. I wouldn't personally want to live in Lincluden or Locharbriggs.

I would not think there is a lot for autistic young people in the town.

Personally, I would be looking for a smaller town somewhere in the central belt within easier reach of Edinburgh/Glasgow as there are more opportunities for young adults and depending on your business, more customers too. Somewhere like Falkirk, Stirling.

Sorry to say it’s a very hard up town. I don’t think special needs is well supported. It’s friendly but I would do more research into provision for your DCs.

I work in Dumfries it’s ok but personally I wouldn’t move there.
Positives: people are friendly, it has a station unlike the much of the rest of the region, from Dumfries you can go to Carlisle and it’s a good station with trains going in all directions, you can also get the bus from Dumfries to Glasgow, it’s also closeish to the M74/M6. There are a variety of supermarkets from Aldi to M and S food hall. A couple of decent shops e.g. a half decent Waterstones. You are also within easy driving distance of some simple stunning countryside including the glorious Solway coastline. As already said you can get a reasonable house fairly cheaply. I’d look around Maxweltown; Rotchell Park and surrounding area, Castle Douglas Road (and roads off it) Albert Road, Dalbeattie Road and even some of roads around the prison. There are a few nice roads around the station, Georgetown doesn’t do it for me but colleagues like it, people also like Summerpark, others live in Heathall (I think it’s a bit anodyne), Also you could look near the old hospital Bankend Road and Glencaple Road.
But colleagues tell me it’s really gone down hill post Covid. It looks tatty especially the high street IMO, there arent many well paid jobs NHS Dumfries and Galloway is the biggest employer in the region it only employs just under 5000, the lack of well paid jobs is the reason why properties are cheap (in the grand scheme of the things), the region is dominated by farming and there are lots of poorly paid jobs in social care as over 27% of the population are pensioners (the highest of any region in Scotland), a friend couldn’t get a well paid job here she’s moved “back down south”, there are quite a lot of deprived areas and inevitably the associated drugs and alcohol problems and schools are shutting as the number of children in the region is declining.
The hospital is small and the cardiology dept is very small all emergency cardiac goes straight up the road to either Hairmyers or Glasgow I suspect you will be referred especially if it’s a child. I’m not sure how much of a social life teenagers have here, colleague’s older teenagers often go to Glasgow for socialising. There is only an art house cinema in Dumfries although I think I’ve heard rumours that we might be getting another one, I’m not sure there is a college in Dumfries for 18-21 yr olds although there is a university but courses are limited. The council is seriously strapped for cash, elderly social care is draining every penny it has. A friend has an autistic DC she is unimpressed by the support he receives.
If I was moving to the region I’d be looking at the Stewartry; Castle Douglas Kirkudbright and surrounding villages, also villages around Dalbeattie and up to New Galloway but these are lovely rural areas and IME a lot of the activities are aimed at the retired so even less to offer to teenagers.
Do PM me if you want any more info.
Just a thought. Have look you in the north east maybe not Inverness which is definitely more expensive than Dumfries but how about Elgin or even Forres. Elgin doesn’t do it for me but I know people like it and there are definitely more shops activities etc, Forres is ok and Elgin isn’t far away for activities, property is equally as cheap, the coastline again is stunning and it’s definitely a busier area with more to do.
Lastly not sure where you live now but the region is known for rain! Unlike the north east where it maybe colder but they definitely get more sunshine.

Should also have said friends of mine are moving to Perth from England. They’ve researched carefully over the last 4 years and have visited many areas in Scotland looking for the right place. They have teenage children, wanted a balance of rural versus city and cheap properties (compared with where they currently live) so they could be mortgage free so that ruled out Glasgow/Edinburgh etc. Apparently Perth and surrounding area ticked most of their boxes.
Im afraid can’t comment any further as I’ve only been there once but it seemed pleasant.

Perthshire is beautiful. Perth itself is a bit underwhelming in my view.

Wouldn’t a big city but not as big as Glasgow or Edinburgh be better ? What about Aberdeen ?

We live in Dumfries and love it.
Yes thw town centre can be run down but tberes lots happening .
Lots of arts and community groups.
I think there is a gap in the market for the field you are looking for.
The hospital does have a cardiology dept and the paediatric dept has cardiologists who come from glasgow for clinics.
We love the cpuntryside..beaches ..friendlieness
The fact you can be in the middle.of nowhere very quicky enjoying the outdoors but have so many social grpuod etc available

Sorry to gatecrash - also thinking of moving to Dumfries from Argyll & Bute. I have a 14 year old and a 9 year old and we want to live in the countryside but have access to more things. Friendly school is vital, esp for teen who has been bullied previously. Looking at Dumfries Academy... any insights into the 'anti-outsider' issue that's plagued us for years? Teen is LGBTQ so is a target where we live now. I work in the arts and we're a bit 'woolly', I guess :-D

I think Wallacehall Academy in Thornhill about 11 miles from Dumfries or Moffat Academy ? 20 miles from Dumfries have the best reports.
You really need to visit them imv.

I can’t talk about “anti-outsider” issues in schools but I find people in the region are generally very friendly. There are a lot of English here because of the closeness to the boarder.
Some of D and G is quite arty we have Spring Fling, Kirkudbright is the “artists town” some towns have artists cooperative shops, etc. we have Edenfest and even “woolly” communities exist in some of the villages. 😀 But my friend is a internationally well regarded award winning artist she’s looking at moving (back to England) because she disappointed here and has found the opportunities to sell her work and also mix with fellow like minded artists who aren’t producing very conventional and what she considers fairly unimaginative work is rather limited.
You do have to understand that D and G has the highest % of pensioners of any region in Scotland, village schools are shutting due to a declining birth rate, there are limited employment opportunities here so young people/young families are leaving, we are a Tory seat 1 of only 5 in Westminster and IME many pensioners are conservative with a small and large C. This is not a criticism I have nothing against Tory voting pensioners just a fact.
I have colleagues who come from all areas of the LGBTQ no one bats an eyelid but I know that a family in my village who’s son does has caused some raised eyebrows amongst those in our village (mainly the above mentioned pensioners).
You say you want access to more things what are hoping for? We have not great transport links, exceedingly limited shopping, and it’s hardly a cultural oasis here, I understand from friends and colleagues that schools are ok. Probably similiar to where you live now, I know Argyll and Bute we like you have dramatic scenery beautiful beeches and peace and quiet and rain, significantly less midges and tourists. Its probably easier to get to a main line station depending on where you choose to live, (Carlisle) and pick up fast trains to other parts of the UK.
i sound like I’m criticising the region I’m not I absolutelylove it here but I’m just giving an honest opinion.

What do you love about it?

The peace and quiet we have simply stunning scenery, wonderful quality of light, and low population density. One of the most popular beaches for tourist in my area on a busy day maybe 20 people on it. Last summer on a warm sunny day we went to a gorgeous largish sandy beach next to a fairly large caravan site at a push 30 people on it.
I like the people who live here they are friendly, few pretensions, in my area a lot farmers just going about their daily lives.
Would I recommend it absolutely if you are also seeking a quiet life enjoy stunning scenery (and rain). But not every area is for everyone. I love visiting Glasgow Edinburgh or even London but nothing would persuade me to live there permanently.

This is all really helpful. As a comparison to where I currently am, Dumfries itself has a lot more to offer. We have one secondary school with a boarding hostel attached because the catchment is so wide kids can't get to and from school. It's got 500 kids in it. It had an LGBTQ club but the other kids used it as way to find out who was gay and bully the absolute out of them. Truly awful. Nearest library an hour away. No clothes shops, one bookshop, two charity shops and a hardware shop. Swimming pool (closed at the moment). No activities except hiking (which I love) and wild swimming (which I don't!). Your artist opinion was really helpful - I'm probably in her group - professional, not that interested in pretty watercolours... I don't need a HUGE upgrade, I just need to be with at least some vaguely progressive folks!

Doonhamer here. Although the surrounding areas (Thornhill, Dalbeattie, Castle Douglas, Kircudbright etc) would be nicer areas to be, from your criteria it sounds like Dumfries itself would be better for your needs. We've had recent changes with the region's bus services and services are more limited. If you don't drive then it is worth being aware of this. Dumfries has a college and an agricultural college. There are community groups for ASD. We have a fairly new built hospital just outside the town. The town is quite run down unfortunately and I rarely go into the town centre itself), but a previous poster has given a good description of the available shops. There are restaurants, bars and cafes, library, Gracefield Arts Centre, swimming pool and gym, local theatre group (very inclusive) and various social groups such as music/dancing groups, cycle clubs, bridge club etc and some very active Church groups so look for things related to your interests. There are also various fitness and yoga classes in different locations around the town. Check out the Usual Place cafe. Cafe supports young people with additional needs in the work place. Lovely place to go for cuppa and scone and meet some of our fabulous young people. Trains from Dumfries station go to Glasgow and Carlisle. Bus to Lockerbie will then get you the train to Edinburgh. Outside of Dumfries there are beaches, forests and lovely walks, but these are more difficult to get to without a car. In terms of houses, avoid Lochside, Lincluden and Locharbriggs area. Summerpark is an ongoing new development which is a nice scheme of new builds, but expensive. Georgetown is nice and Heathhall will be a bit cheaper again. Kircudbrigh is great if you are artistic and has its arts festival and Wigtown has its brilliant book festival in October if this is your things. Both worth visiting if you are interested in either. If it is possible to visit Dumfries and surrounding areas in Dumfries adn Galloway before you make your decision I would recommend. There are pluses but also cons to the town. Feel free to pm me. Good luck with your search.

“I don't need a HUGE upgrade, I just need to be with at least some vaguely progressive folks”
I might be wrong but I don’t think you’ll find many “progressive folk” here, another friend has recently gone back down south she loved the “beaches forests and lovely walks” but felt it just wasn’t “enough” she was a Londoner and like you wanted “progressive folk” (not her actual words but very similiar) and eventually grew to hate it here because of the lack of things that interested her. The one thing that does concern me is the rise is anti immigrant feelings. Dumfries traditionally had very few immigrants less than 5% of the population and there is no evidence that the numbers have increased but I regularly hear people making the usual racist comments “they’re taking our jobs/houses, they sit around in big groups in the park and I don’t like it I find it threatening” etc. and the Reform vote increased at the last election. This maybe just a reflection of the views in the UK in general but I personally am very uncomfortable with this.

”I'm probably in her group - professional, not that interested in pretty watercolours”
I would say in general much of the art you’ll see round here on sale and maybe more importantly according to my artist friend that which sells definitely falls into the “pretty watercolours” category.

Look a place is what you make it IMO you’re not going to find a huge edgy community in a relatively small town/region with a high % of pensioners and a large farming community. But lets face it to find this in abundance you have to move to Glasgow Edinburgh or more likely London Bristol or Brighton. But this requires money to buy and live there and not everyone wants to live in an urban environment however “progressive” the folk there might be. The region does have so much to offer in other ways. And it is possible to travel to other areas to get your fix of other things as I’m sure you know Glasgow is renowned for its culture and shops I suspect plenty of progressive types there or Edinburgh, if you can drive Newcastle is not a million miles away colleauges go there and the train from Carlisle to Euston is pretty good although not cheap and then you have a global mega city with everything you could possible want. Life is about compromises property here is relatively cheap the scenery is stunning the people generally warm and friendly and the peace and quiet is simply glorious you like many of us have to accept that if your looking for other things that at times you have to travel.
I think I know where you are friends live nearby they love it there children are happy at the school no issues with bullying for them. I am a natural nomad and lived everywhere in my extensive experience the pasture isn’t usually greener somewhere else everywhere has its positives and negatives. Children get bullied in all schools in all locations. There are people from all walks of live all backgrounds everywhere. No where is perfect but you need to prioritise what you must have my friend who moved back down south wanted lots of like minded friends, my artist friend is looking for art lovers with deepish pockets and not just seeking conventional or twee. For me it’s peace and quiet.
Do PM me if you want.

Have you thought about Dundee and the surrounding area, that is pretty affordable.

This post and the one previously from Cleaningismycardio both resonate a lot with me. Thank you both for putting them together for me. Chronic nomad here too - oldest daughter (14) has had 14 schoools in 5 countries, youngest (9) has had 9 in 5 countries - and I've had 53 addresses. Done cites, remote islands, boats, the lot. Starting to feel a bit tired and my aging parents are in Cumbria while my kids father is in Argyll. I'm trying to hover between the two and there's not a lot of anything affordable (I have to rent). Luckily I have a car and love driving so that's not an issue... I have dogs and my mental health needs a decent forest walk every day but I need to not be totally cut off. I don't care about shopping or things being pretty, and I don't need access to people buying art, or galleries etc (I work in film) but I do need things like Gracefield, a youth theatre, a good bookshop... and the Usual Place which was mentioned looks fab. Love the look of the inclusive playground... community garden... vintage shops...? Those sorts of things make me feel there are some folks maybe doing little bits of funkiness...? Main reason for Dumfries is that it's near the M6 and my oldest would rather stay in Scottish education during that tricky academic time period, otherwise I'd maybe pick Carlisle... Need to stay west, ideally. Really do appreciate everyone's replies. It's a good mix of postive and negative which feels realistic to me!