Advice on moving to Aberdeen with child and dog for NHS role after HE redundancy

[BrickSquid]

Hi all,
Looking for some advice. Recently I've been made redundant and jobs in universities are few and far between. So far I've managed to interview for 1 role (didn't get selected) near Glasgow, turned down for another pre interview but I've landed a third application and have the interview next week. The role is in Aberdeen, with the NHS. Fixed term for 2 years but theres the opportunity to extend maybe and/or just gain some clinical experience whilst universities are rocky and at least this time I'd hope for some security for a couple of years at least instead of the redundancy hit I had here.

I've never visited Aberdeen. I'm looking to move from the East Midlands. I'm a single mum DS is 9. Though I have a mortgage here I'll likely do consent to let whilst we settle and/or consider selling there after or moving back after 2 years if the job thing or scotland doesnt work out. Ngl, despite this being my dream to head to Scotland I'm now a little nervous.

I dont have family where I am now. I moved here for a job. Just my ex lives local and occasionally helps with kiddo (note not his dad and the word occasional). My boyfriend is in Edinburgh so would be somewhat closer by to help if needed. I do have health issues but very much a lone parent. Oh and we have a dog.

Looking for advice on Aberdeen! Anywhere I should avoid? Best places to live? Good primary and secondary schools (i think DS would be going to p6)? Areas to find others and build a network etc? I'd need to be close to the hospital where I could either cycle in and/or walk and/or have good transport. I'd be looking to rent, possibly might need to buy cheap if renting with doggo would be an issue. It's only an interview next week but theres two positions open and they're interviewing 3 people and in my specialism so I think I'm in with a good shot and could be a great role career wise but I'm really just wanting to make sure I'm also doing what's right for my DS and dog too.

As far as I know a landlord in Scotland cannot refuse permission for a tenant to have a pet

https://datamap-scotland.co.uk/primary-school-league-tables-by-local-authority/aberdeen-city-primary-schools-ranks/

school is obviously a key driver for you with your wee one. They are a mixed bag, as anywhere. Airyhall, Ashley Road, Hazlehead Primary are all good. Ashley feeds into a good secondary and the catchment area is a pretty good mix of houses and flats with a lot to rent, and it’s not too far from the hospital.

Aberdeen is generally cheap these days for housing, and it’s not the vibrant city it once was. But there are lots of parks and outdoor areas for the dog ( and you!)

You are never far from the countryside and there’s miles of sandy beach to walk on.

Weather wise it’s much like Edinburgh - a bit drier than Glasgow but with more wind I think. Midges are not a problem.

It’s where I grew up, and I had a lovely childhood there.

I obviously don't know what your specialism is, but NHS Grampian are not the best, and like everywhere, need to make big cuts. And schools in the city are hit or miss.

Mile End primary school is good and in the catchment for Aberdeen Grammar which is a good secondary. It’s also close to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary if that is where you would be working. Like PP said city centre has gone downhill but lovely parks, beaches, surrounding areas.

Just be aware that Aberdeen and Edinburgh aren’t remotely close in terms of your boyfriend being able to pop up and help out. It’s a good 2 hour plus drive. Yes closer than you are now but someone in Edinburgh couldn’t really give day to day practical support.

Rosemount area of Aberdeen is pretty close to the hospital but also Aberdeen Grammer which is a good secondary.
Westend of Aberdeen is the posher bit.

Areas to avoid - Masterick, parts of Torry, Seaton, Tillydrone, Northfield and parts of Kincorth.

Renting flats is pretty cheap, houses not so much.

Definitely look at Rosemount/Midstocket. Close to the hospital and in catchment for Mile End/Skene Square (primary) and Aberdeen Grammar School (secondary). Be careful with the catchments though as Cornhill and Mile End sort of zig zag in and out of each other and they are very different schools. You can use this map to check any addresses. Primary catchments

Victoria Park and Westburn Park are both really nice green spaces in Rosemount and there are loads more not far away.

As others have said Ashley Road is also a very good city centre school which feeds into the Grammar. Just be aware it may be impossible to get a place at either Ashley Road or Mile End for P6. The schools are very desirable so even catchment spaces are only guaranteed at P1. That's not to say you wouldn't get one, Aberdeen has quite a transient population so spaces do come up, but it's not a dead cert. However you would be guaranteed a place at the Grammar for S1 if in catchment which is one of the best secondaries in the city.

Good luck, I moved to Aberdeen as an adult and love it here. I've made a lot of friends through my my work and hobbies and my kids' schools and activities, I find people are generally very open and friendly here.

God I love Aberdeen [slightly irrelevant] Gorgeous place ❤️ love the countryside round there too

We also moved from the East Midlands. I worked at the ARI but live in Cruden Bay, so can’t comment on city areas. However the ARI was a lovely place to work and you will find house prices much more affordable than down south. As a county Aberdeenshire has so much to offer.
However as someone else said it is nowhere near Edinburgh, probably about a two and a half hour drive or the Flix bus is cheap and good

Aberdeen is fine - lots to do, the beach and countryside on your doorstep, and if you choose wisely, decent schools. Will your role be based at ARI itself?

Great place, unless you are keen on sunlight and colour. Cruden bay used to lovely 😬 the buzzing sound from the ships might be annoying if you are close enough. The museum is interesting and there are some great bars. The parks are nice and there used to be plenty of shops.

If you're happy cycling or getting buses in to ARI, the commuter villages of cults, milltimber and peterculter have very good schools and give you super quick access to lovely dog walks. Cults you would need to check if there is a space in the primary school first though. When is his birthday month wise? My March 2015 child starts p7 in August - school entry dates work a little differently here

I visit aberdeen frequently and used to live outside. It's a really lovely city with lots to do, people from aberdeen moan about it a lot and say there's nothing there, but there is so pay no attention! Union street isn't great but going under refurbishment, there's brilliant playparks and a new swimming pool in the process of being built.
My son has been for hospital appointments at both ARI and woodend, I've thought both were excellent and the staff really friendly. I've also found people in aberdeen to be really nice as well.
The only places I've heard to avoid are Northfield and masterick, the teens in northfield can be 'disruptive'.
There's lots of fb pages-fubar news (mostly road traffic stuff) aberdeen in colour.
Driving in aberdeen isn't great

But if you had multiple applications why would you pick the one with a dog.

Good luck with your interview!

It may best to note, that the current bus services South of Aberdeen have been getting worse, year on year. However, the train is always an alternative, depending on where you choose to live.

My friend lived there for a few years and said it was the most depressing place on earth and it was always cold and grey. I wouldn’t risk it without spending a good chunk of time there first

Whilst it may not be legal anymore, it happens unfortunately depending on demand for the place. Keeping my options open to be sure but I may not be able to buy, depends on a lot of factors including whether I could bring myself to sell the place I am in now. Even if I don't id have to pay an 8% tax on a place in Scotland.

Thank you! This is all such useful knowledge and the link is gold so thank you for that.

Thank you. Unfortunately the Uni cuts are much worse and so this job came up in my specialist area and I went for it. It's funded by a grant for 2 years. Who knows after that but for now its better than offers elsewhere and at least will help my career in some way, even if its only brief. Worried about the schools!

Thank you, this is so helpful and thank you for the link. I did look at Mile End but worried about the lack of mention of wraparound care (as a single mum I rely on this a lot). Thank you as well for the mention of the people, I've heard mixed reviews so its glad to know others have managed to find a place and feel settled here.

Neither of us drive. Aware at the distance but I'm very much a lone parent and whilst I've known him for a while and we've been together for a year I certainly don't want to be moving on his doorstep anytime soon. Besides, I could never afford Edinburgh prices and I am following where work is available. Equally though, it would be 3 hours closer than I am currently to him and I don't need day to day support, just the odd bit of support every now and then :)

Ah ideally house is needed for the dog and the child (i.e need to be able to let the dog out and can't always do that around the DS bedtimes etc). I may not have posh money but I'll try. Thanks for the areas and advice.

Fortunately not a particular fan of sunlight or colour *health related sensitivities. So this might have just sold me 😂

Thank you. I think its based at ARI, potentially some minor travel too. Its a new service provision. I don't mind not being too close to the boyfriend. I have to follow my work and he has a flat and job etc there, I'd like to move this relationship along at a very glacial pace if possible as I've not picked well in the past. So some distance but closer may be a good compromise. I do have my niece in the county but moving closer I think and her mum and kid a little further north still so I think I'll have more local support that I assumed when I posted.

Culter, Milltimber and Cults primaries will all feed into Cults Academy, so worth having a look out that way, but likely 2 buses to get to the ARI or a 30 minute bike ride. On the plus side, you’re on the edge of the city so good local dog walks.

I think rents can still be a bit pricey, as people there for the oil are more likely to rent than buy, especially in the current climate.

Broomhill area might suit you too, although you’d be best being in the Grammar catchment.

Citylets.co.uk is useful for rentals.