Moving home can be an exciting and daunting prospect in equal measure. Whether you’re looking to establish yourself in a new city, raising a family for the first time, seeking greater affordability, or simply looking for a change of scene, there’s much to consider when moving home.
Many will seek a burgeoning community spirit, handy shopping accessibility or sparkling nightlife. While others may canvas the best-rated schools to send their children to.
With its metropolitan cityscapes, outstanding natural beauty and vibrant culture, Scotland ticks all of these boxes and more. In fact, new research from Watermans shows that nearly 300,000 people are looking to make Scotland their new home by relocating from other parts of the UK.
To help find a community that’s right for you, they have reviewed some important factors to consider in this handy step-by-step guide.
1. Local amenities
No matter what type of community you decide upon, you’ll want to be in close proximity to a supermarket, shops, a post office and other essential local services. Beyond that, the vibe of your chosen location is entirely up to you. You might choose an area with a buzzy high street, and community feel, some top neighbourhood restaurants or plenty of green spaces for playing sports and other outdoor pursuits. Naturally, the quality of attractions on your doorstep will affect your house valuation. Regardless, you need to get this decision right.
Tzana Webster, Director of Property Sales at Watermans advises: “If you’re seeking plenty of stimulation, then you won’t want to live anywhere too remote. Similarly, if peace and quiet is your thing, then you won’t want to live in a bustling suburban area.
“Do your research and find out the best locations for sports clubs, eating out, cultural attractions and nightlife. “
2. Health is wealth
Healthcare is an essential concern when choosing a new community. Your proximity to these amenities may vary depending on your age or health status. Most people will want to be within driving distance of the local hospital in case of emergency, while some people may require easy access to the GP if they have frequent appointments. 22% of the hospitals in the UK can be found in Scotland, with 279, while there are also 5,134 GPs registered in the country. Setting yourself up with these shortly after move-in is crucially important to a happy, healthy tenancy.
3. Back to school
For many, the patter of tiny feet will herald a move into a new home as parents seek a quieter area or a larger house to raise their children. Smart movers will research the potential schools in the area and look to register their children ahead of the new school year where possible. There’re currently 5.099 schools in Scotland, with parents keen to locate one ‘Outstanding’ or, at the very least, ‘Good’ by governing body Ofsted.
Examine your chosen school’s offering closely. Do they provide a holistic educational programme? Are the right pastoral care measures in place, and does their extra-curricular offering aim to foster a well-rounded upbringing?
Assessing transport links is also important as you’ll have to learn whether you can fit the school run in and around your own working commitments or whether your children can navigate their own way to school safely.
4. Stay safe
Last, but very much not least, reviewing the safety credentials of your chosen area is paramount to your happiness in your new home. You should select an area you feel comfortable walking around in, during the day and of an evening. You don’t want to discover a community has serious crime and safety issues after you’ve bought, so you should conduct research prior to purchasing, using police statistics and community databases.
Some important things to consider: Does the area have a record of burglaries? Is there a gang culture? Is the school within safe walking distance of your new home? Are public spaces well-lit for late nights and early mornings? Conducting early research can help.
The Engine Yard
There’s always a really impressive range of brand new homes for sale in Scotland, everything from affordable starter homes to luxury executive residences. These are our favourites across the country right now:
Inverness – A few miles from the city centre is Barratt at Culloden West has proven very popular as it is now over 80% sold. Its mix of three- and four-bedroom houses has been attracting buyers impressed by its local amenities and easy commute to the city and the current selection has the bonus of some major offers on things like Part Exchange, or contributions to mortgage payments or LBTT. Prices currently start at £229,995.
East Lothian – Longniddry Village, around 15 miles east of Edinburgh, is a brand new major community well underway from highly regarded, sustainability-focused developer ZeroC. Its range of home types suit many buyers, with a mix of apartments, coach houses and semi-detached and detached properties that combine tradition-inspired design with a thorough modern specification. Prices start at £292,500 right now.
Stirling – Just west of the city in Cambusbarron, David Wilson Homes is working on Seven Sisters, a development that combines scenic surroundings with the convenience of access to the city and beyond through public transport and two motorways (M9 and M80). The area has great amenities and schools, and the current selection of family homes at Seven Sisters, starting at £419,995, come in a variety of styles and with some major offers on selected plots.
East Dunbartonshire – Kirkintilloch is only a few miles north of central Glasgow and benefits from its own shops and amenities as well as road and rail connections to the city and further afield and easy access to the region’s scenic hotspots. Persimmon Homes is busy on a selection of apartments and houses at Kelvin Gait which is finding keen interest from buyers with a range of budgets, with starting prices currently ranging from £165,995 to £324,995. Keen buyers can, for a limited tme, make use of a choice of incentives regarding mortgage payments or Part Exchange.
Glasgow – McCarthy Stone is a specialist retirement developer regularly winning prestigious WhatHouse? Awards for its age-exclusive developments for over-60s or over-70s, offering carefully designed private homes with some delightful communal facilities, such as lounges and gardens to enjoy neighbours’ company. Merchants Gate is a collection of secure one- and two-bedroom apartments (priced from £189,000 and £289,000 respectively) in a sought-after southern suburb of the city between Maxwell Park and Pollok Country Park. Great local amenities and convenient transport links mean a host of useful and enjoyable places are easy to get to.
Edinburgh – Places for People is turning fashionable Leith’s on tram depot into distinctive place to live called The Engine Yard, combining the conversion of the original buildings with some new build blocks – in all, some 377 apartments and penthouses. Prices currently range from £260,000 to £627,500, with a new phase just released and ready to move into.
Edinburgh – There’s some real luxury on offer at City & Country’s multi-award-winning The Playfair at Donaldson’s, a landmark development where the final range of one-, two- and three-bedroom luxury apartments are now for sale from £440,000. The Category A listed Playfair building has been lovingly restored and converted by the specialist developer to combine attractive and characterful original features with up-to-date specification. It’s just 20 minutes on foot to Prince’s Street and the exceptional shopping, culture and entertainment offered at the heart of the city.
Aberdeenshire – If you’re after coastal living, then Barratt Homes’ Whiteland Coast could be the perfect choice, located just moments from the sea between Aberdeen and Stonehaven. Starting prices for the four-bedroom homes currently for sales range from £279,995 to £349,995 and there are some units ready to move into here offering views over the water. Many are on offer with deals with options for upgrades, mortgage contributions or the ability to Part Exchange your existing home to avoid the hassles and costs of a property chain.
West Lothian – Miller Homes is one of Scotland’s largest housebuilders, with developments all over the country, and one of the most exclusive is The Grange, Murieston, just south of Livingston. The current collection of energy-efficient four- and five-bedroom detached houses starts at £368,995 and for a limited time, there are some excellent deals for buyers to choose from – deposit paid, Part Exchange, Assisted Move or a cash lump someone moving in.
Dundee – Buyers looking for a three- or four-bedroom home in Dundee may find what they are looking for at Craigowl Law on the northern fringe of the city in Baldragon. Avant Homes offers a distinctive standard specification on this collection of three- and four-bedroom houses, which currently start at £252,995. Exclusive kitchen designs and boutique bathrooms complement the modern architecture inspired by the traditional local style.
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