Rural Dreams - Frustrated Reality

comeandgo

Are you checking the properties on hspc, Highland solicitors property centre? Inverness and north don't have a very long "growing time" for vegetables, go east a bit to Elgin and the weather is a bit warmer and dryer.
Are you fully up to speed on the Scottish buying process? You need to get a solicitor to put your bids in.

RuralDreams

Nebulous: that property is actually one we looked at. Location is stunning, garden is big enough to have a bbq and most importantly grow an adequate amount of vegetables.

Kinski: shame, you almost got rid of him for some peace and quiet :rotfl:

Loskie: it's just a personal preference. I've travelled Scotland extensively from up the East Coast across to the west, North and Central. Inverness-shire is the area we would most like to settle.

RuralDreams

Yeah have family in Scotland so upto date with the process. As for the growing process I'm pretty handy. Lettuce, broccoli and such like love shade so alongside a greenhouse/poly tunnel there are viable options available. When it comes to fruit trees or bushes there are some very hardy Scottish varieties that will offer the best chance

sheramber

If you can go further north look at Caithness and Sutherland.

We moved up here 11 years ago and have never regretted it.

We sold a 3 bedroom semi in the Central belt and bought a 4 bedroom detached cottage with 1 acre of garden. No public transport, no street lights, single track road with nearest neighbour 1/2 mile away.

Bliss

We found our house on HSPC.

RuralDreams

That sound heavenly sheramber

ProDave

I live 30 minutes north of Inverness. So if you want any help with specific location or properties.

£160K is not going to get you all you want, even up here. I suspect something is going to have to give, or you are going to have to but somewhere that falls short of your requirements, and improve or alter it. But as a first time buyer with a modest deposit, buying a wreck to do up may present mortgage problems.

The area around Inverness is what we chose as it's dryer and has less of a midge problem that the West coast, and finding employment is easier. And the West coast is close enough for day trips to enjoy the scenery.

North of Inverness (we are in Ross-Shire) gets cheaper and more rural, but the commute and queues over the Kessock bridge would be too much for me if I worked in the city (I don't) I suspect the commute into Inverness is less bad from the south, but the A96 is a miserable road at times if considering E of the city.

We looked at a plot in Strathconon. It was too remote even for us. 10 miles along a winding single track road before you meet a main road, and then some to the nearest shops.

RuralDreams

Realistically with our income and increasing deposit we can go higher in regards to house price. I would love to buy a do-er up-er but as you said getting a mortgage for one adds an extra layer of complexity without guarantee since we're FTBs.
£160k is the preferred budget just to allow over payments, living exclusively off one wage, and financial independence (MF) within a decent level amount of time, but we are realistic that and extra £10-20k will make a difference.