Where to buy in west Scotland?

Cjay1983

Hi all,

Not sure if I'm in the right section here, but here's goes.
New to this forum thing so go easy on me lol. I'm relocating to Scotland after working there for last 5 years with my wife and 9 month baby girl. We are selling our house and looking to buy a new build or house that is approx 5 years old. To be totally honest I'm no expert on areas so I'm looking for some honest advice. Currently the areas of bishopton and erskine have caught our eye. As most people, we are trying to fulfill and tick some of the criteria such as good schools, quiet area, village like or community feel and spirit, low crime rate etc, close to some kind of supermarket. I work on west coast near Helensburgh so the current areas are no to far away. One concern I do have is some
Of the reports I've read about contaminated land due to ROF bishopton. Now upon visiting the developments none of them have mentioned this and to be honest I was a development sales person, I wouldn't unless questioned. I know BAE have invested a lot of money in a clean up operation and also would never have got planning permission if there was any risk. Any feedback, comments or suggestions are greatly welcomed.

Thanks all:j

Pa_Ja

I've always enjoyed Aberfoyle.
Small town / large village type. Close to lochs, beautiful scenery.
Good luck with your search, you should have applied for Location,location😃

davidmcn

Cjay1983 wrote: »

I know BAE have invested a lot of money in a clean up operation and also would never have got planning permission if there was any risk.

Think you've answered your own question. You can probably read the surveys among the planning papers on the council's website. But if it's going to be a nagging concern then you've got plenty of choice elsewhere.

Gers

Pa_Ja wrote: »

I've always enjoyed Aberfoyle.
Small town / large village type. Close to lochs, beautiful scenery.
Good luck with your search, you should have applied for Location,location��

Aberfoyle, whilst beautiful, is in the central belt and not really on the west.

If the land has been cleared, cleaned and given permission for building then there should be records which you can inspect. The areas you mention are lovely with easy access to Glasgow.

In edit -
http://www.baesystems.com/en-uk/bishopton/about-daragvel-village

Good luck in your search.

Pixie5740

The best schools and lowest crime rates will be in East Renfrewshire but that's a bit of a trek to Helensburgh.

Bearsden in West Dunbartonshire is nice and closer to Helensburgh than East Renfrewshire. I wouldn't fancy living in Erskine myself especially if your commute will depend on the Erskine Bridge being open because it gets closed in high winds which means you'd then need to detour via the Clyde Tunnel to reach Helensburgh.

glasgowdan

Bearsden is in East Dunbartonshire, not west.

OP, what's your budget? How long a commute to Helensburgh would be your max? East Dunbartonshire schools are as good, or better, than east ren. http://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/taught-to-thrive-wsnpws7gb

Cjay1983

Hi all, thanks for your replies, wonderful response. My budget is approximately £270k which does give me a varied choice. I've done the bishopton and erskine run to Helensburgh and took me about 20-25mins. If I'm honest that's the maximum amount I'd like to do. Previously I'd looked at robroyston and Darnley but they were coming in at about 65min commute. Bearsden is beautiful but there was not a lot for sale there last time I looked, but you guys have inspired me to look again. When an area doesn't have a lot for sale it's normally a good indication people are happy in an area. Work for me starts at 7am so I would need to be out by 6 which me I think I'm safe missing most traffic? Again any forther information or advice is most welcome and appreciated

davidmcn

I would avoid being on the wrong side of the Clyde for your commute, the bridges/tunnel are typically bottlenecks (or give you massive delays if they're closed).

Pixie5740

Do you know either Robroyston or Darnely at all? Darnley would put your children in the Hillpark Secondary School catchment area.

I agree that you want to avoid travelling across the river as part of your commute so you should probably keep your search to areas north on the Clyde.

If you want an area that is "village like" then that would suggest an area where there aren't a lot of houses and therefore there won't be that many up for sale. If schools are important then have a search for schools in East (not West ) Dumbartonshire and North/West Glasgow to find out their catchment areas. That should give you a starter for 10.

Since you don't seem to know any of the areas then perhaps renting until you find your feet would be better than rushing into buying something that could be unsuitable.

glasgowdan

You won't get a massive house in Bearsden or Milngavie for that budget, but you're almost guaranteed a good investment and a superb little town to live in. That'd be my choice in your situation. Ex authority detach should be on the cards.

A mate has just moved to Helensburgh. We almost moved to cardross but got a house in Lenzie in the end. I love east dun. Traffic isn't usually bad, schools are superb and the hills and highlands are so easy to access

Pa_Ja

OP, the places like Bearsden and Robroyston are fairly busy with lots of new housing developments. Neither boast the community spirit you desire.
As mentioned in previous post, I know Aberfoyle offers that sort of lifestyle whilst being close to Glasgow or Stirling and 45mins from Helensbrugh.