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

Original poster

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

29 replies

ARoomSomewhere · 05/01/2026 09:35

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?

OP posts:
lovealongbath · 27/01/2026 04:04

Have never been to Dumfries but it’s now on my radar due to Farmer Ben, Kyle & Christof, Fiona the sheep and the very handsome Merlin!

NosnowontheScottishhills · 27/01/2026 06:57

Suima · 27/01/2026 03:10

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!

Edited
Show quote history

We are well placed for easy access to Cumbria obviously if you live in Dumfries or between Dumfries and the M6 or villages closer to M74 it will be easier than if you live in Kirkudbright.
Argyll and Bute is a tidy schlep but you’ll never tick every box. Someone told me recently that a recent survey showed we had the lowest vet fees in the UK! But from what I understand from colleagues rental properties here are like hens teeth.
Im not sure if you’ve actually visited Dumfries yet and maybe we have a different idea about “funkiness” but it wouldn’t be my first thought when describing it! It’s smallish fairly conventional town that’s quite run down in places with friendly people free parking.
Good luck.

Suima · 27/01/2026 10:36

Thank you everyone!

Justcashnosweets · 16/05/2026 23:26

Wallace Hall is a fantastic school, especially for ND children. DD struggled to settle into high school but they went above and beyond to help her, and now she is loving it.
Property is fairly cheap in the area, especially compared to other parts of the country. But public transport isn't great so be prepared to drive everywhere.
Work wise. NHS Dumfries and Galloway recruit fairly regularly, in alot of different areas.

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