Moving to Aberdeen - any advice?
Discussion
Good morning fine people of the Scotland sub-forum! Just looking for some general advice on moving to Aberdeen as I haven't a clue about this part of the world.
My Mrs has accepted a position at NHS Grampian starting in May, so we will be moving to Aberdeen where she will be working (Royal Infirmary). For us it's a fairly big upheaval as we have a 8 month old and a two year old, and like everything else, it's my job to organise our move.
We are not on the breadline but I've only just about recovered from the shock of nursery care costs (£50 a day per child!) and the potential costs of house rental in Aberdeen. But I guess expense is something we will have to get used to.
We were looking to find somewhere nice to live, in a good area (suburbia or outlying town) , 4 bedrooms min, parking for two cars and fairly close commute to the hospital, for around £1500 a month. Is this a reasonable budget, or am I looking for the impossible? Are there any such areas that could be recommended? Or not recommended?
I've spoken to a few estate agents who say "yeah yeah you'll be fine" but a lot rests on a good result for us and I've been led up the garden path a few times before!
Any advice would be welcommed in advance of my first recce visit to get a fell for the area in a couple of weeks.
My Mrs has accepted a position at NHS Grampian starting in May, so we will be moving to Aberdeen where she will be working (Royal Infirmary). For us it's a fairly big upheaval as we have a 8 month old and a two year old, and like everything else, it's my job to organise our move.
We are not on the breadline but I've only just about recovered from the shock of nursery care costs (£50 a day per child!) and the potential costs of house rental in Aberdeen. But I guess expense is something we will have to get used to.
We were looking to find somewhere nice to live, in a good area (suburbia or outlying town) , 4 bedrooms min, parking for two cars and fairly close commute to the hospital, for around £1500 a month. Is this a reasonable budget, or am I looking for the impossible? Are there any such areas that could be recommended? Or not recommended?
I've spoken to a few estate agents who say "yeah yeah you'll be fine" but a lot rests on a good result for us and I've been led up the garden path a few times before!
Any advice would be welcommed in advance of my first recce visit to get a fell for the area in a couple of weeks.
Do you need to central or can you handle rural ?
The rents in Aberdeen are well on the drop i am lead to believe , certainly for flats in the centre of town so rents may be negotiable now
ASPC is where most places end up on
https://www.aspc.co.uk/search/?Sort=PublishedDesc&...
I am in Kintore - nice enough wee village north of Aberdeen - 25 mins to ARI by car dependent on time of day and if can avoid the huadagin roundabout
The rents in Aberdeen are well on the drop i am lead to believe , certainly for flats in the centre of town so rents may be negotiable now
ASPC is where most places end up on
https://www.aspc.co.uk/search/?Sort=PublishedDesc&...
I am in Kintore - nice enough wee village north of Aberdeen - 25 mins to ARI by car dependent on time of day and if can avoid the huadagin roundabout
Good luck with the move 
I'm on my phone so I'll keep it brief, but £1500 should get you into a nice 4 bed house on the outskirts of Aberdeen and from a commuting point of view Kingswells would be a good starting point, as there's a direct bus route to the hospital IIRC. Hopefully these links will work.
4 bed houses: https://www.aspc.co.uk/search/property/338521/66-O...
https://www.aspc.co.uk/search/property/338196/26-W...
On the downside there's not much in the way of amenities in Kingswells but Westhill is close by (Tesco, M&S etc) and you're not that far from Aberdeen city centre.
Also, commuting from the North or South of the city can be a right PITA due to congestion at the Don and Dee river crossings so it's worth bearing that in mind when looking at houses, but if your wife works shifts and the hours are outwith rush our times it might not be a problem. Hopefully others will chip in but I can add more info later when I'm on the PC.
I'm on my phone so I'll keep it brief, but £1500 should get you into a nice 4 bed house on the outskirts of Aberdeen and from a commuting point of view Kingswells would be a good starting point, as there's a direct bus route to the hospital IIRC. Hopefully these links will work.
4 bed houses: https://www.aspc.co.uk/search/property/338521/66-O...
https://www.aspc.co.uk/search/property/338196/26-W...
On the downside there's not much in the way of amenities in Kingswells but Westhill is close by (Tesco, M&S etc) and you're not that far from Aberdeen city centre.
Also, commuting from the North or South of the city can be a right PITA due to congestion at the Don and Dee river crossings so it's worth bearing that in mind when looking at houses, but if your wife works shifts and the hours are outwith rush our times it might not be a problem. Hopefully others will chip in but I can add more info later when I'm on the PC.
If you are looking at putting both children in full time nursery care, you might be lucky, but there is a huge shortage of spaces in Aberdeen. Aberdeenshire may have more.
I think there is a nursery at ARI, so maybe speak to your wife's new manager about places there, as I believe they are oversubscribed too.
If you can stomach living in a flat, there are a couple available in the West End (Good Area!!) these will be walking distance from the hospital.
e.g https://www.aspc.co.uk/search/property/338492/87-B...
There won't be many garages with the city centre flats, but it is possible. There's not a lot of car crime in Aberdeen, so you *may* not need one. (There's been a few of cars stolen for joy riding, but these are normally people entering unlocked house (though sometimes they do climb in through a window))
I think there is a nursery at ARI, so maybe speak to your wife's new manager about places there, as I believe they are oversubscribed too.
If you can stomach living in a flat, there are a couple available in the West End (Good Area!!) these will be walking distance from the hospital.
e.g https://www.aspc.co.uk/search/property/338492/87-B...
There won't be many garages with the city centre flats, but it is possible. There's not a lot of car crime in Aberdeen, so you *may* not need one. (There's been a few of cars stolen for joy riding, but these are normally people entering unlocked house (though sometimes they do climb in through a window))
Thanks for the replies so far - all advice and comments are very much appreciated.
Some of the linked houses would fit the bill well. We would wish to avoid apartments so may have to cast the net a bit wider. Unfortunately my wife is the fussiest woman alive; the move would be so much easier without her, but unfortunately it's all about her!
Some of the linked houses would fit the bill well. We would wish to avoid apartments so may have to cast the net a bit wider. Unfortunately my wife is the fussiest woman alive; the move would be so much easier without her, but unfortunately it's all about her!
I recently moved up here about 6 months ago with the missus (no kids). I knew the city fairly well from coming up here for work but didn't have a clue about the surrounding areas. We ended up renting a place out in Aberdeenshire, about a 13 mile drive to the centre, which in "rush hour" rarely takes longer than 40mins on a really bad day and is usually 30mins door to door. It all depends on what time you leave, but that's heading into town between 0700 and 0730 or thereabouts. Yeah the traffic is bad, but I moved up here from London so in all honestly it's nothing to worry about, but guess it's all about perspective.
Property wise it does seem to be more expensive than the rest of Scotland, however again moving up from the South of England everything is a bargain so depends where you're coming from and what you're used to.
You should be able to find a decent property to rent that ticks all the boxes, there's loads about but bear in mind it takes time if you're viewing several that are out of town as it can be a fairly long drive between viewings.
HTH
Property wise it does seem to be more expensive than the rest of Scotland, however again moving up from the South of England everything is a bargain so depends where you're coming from and what you're used to.
You should be able to find a decent property to rent that ticks all the boxes, there's loads about but bear in mind it takes time if you're viewing several that are out of town as it can be a fairly long drive between viewings.
HTH
Have you considered Bieldside? It's a nice and safe area with good access to the main arterial routes into and out of the city.
I also know the owner of this house and they would be willing to talk seriously on rates in line with your budget
http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-to-rent/proper...
I also know the owner of this house and they would be willing to talk seriously on rates in line with your budget
http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-to-rent/proper...
i'm in Inverurie, about 15 miles west of aberdeen.
some great nurseries for the kids.
commute isnt too bad into town ( wife is in the NHS too)
schools are good, and it has just about anything you need.
plenty 4 bed houses out here as a lot of oil workers have been made redundant, you get a lot more for the cash the further out you go.
some great nurseries for the kids.
commute isnt too bad into town ( wife is in the NHS too)
schools are good, and it has just about anything you need.
plenty 4 bed houses out here as a lot of oil workers have been made redundant, you get a lot more for the cash the further out you go.
Thanks O-S-R, James B and Captain Benzo. All very helpful info and much appreciated. Currently I have a 16 mile commute to work which takes 45-55 mins so I suspect Aberdeen will be tolerable.
I will be getting over for a few days next week to check the place out - well to view lots of nurseries (five on Thursday)! Hopefully I'll get a good understanding of the lie of the land. We'l be moving in 8 weeks so there's lots for me to do.
The wife is happy to move to an outlying area and Inverurie is somewhere we have been recommended more than once. Only trouble is, the nurseries I've identified there seem to close at 5.30pm which is a bit of a balls. I'll go there next Friday to see what the score is.
Unfortunately I'm struggling to find many four bedroom furnished houses, despite the rumours they are in good supply!
I will be getting over for a few days next week to check the place out - well to view lots of nurseries (five on Thursday)! Hopefully I'll get a good understanding of the lie of the land. We'l be moving in 8 weeks so there's lots for me to do.
The wife is happy to move to an outlying area and Inverurie is somewhere we have been recommended more than once. Only trouble is, the nurseries I've identified there seem to close at 5.30pm which is a bit of a balls. I'll go there next Friday to see what the score is.
Unfortunately I'm struggling to find many four bedroom furnished houses, despite the rumours they are in good supply!
I take it buying is not an option? There has never been a better time to buy up here as the market is now flooded with properties.
A LOT of ex rental houses up for sale, which may partly explain the lack of larger house rentals on the market. Some sellers may accept low bids to get shot of empty properties.
A LOT of ex rental houses up for sale, which may partly explain the lack of larger house rentals on the market. Some sellers may accept low bids to get shot of empty properties.
rossub said:
I take it buying is not an option? There has never been a better time to buy up here as the market is now flooded with properties.
A LOT of ex rental houses up for sale, which may partly explain the lack of larger house rentals on the market. Some sellers may accept low bids to get shot of empty properties.
Buying wouldn't be an option for a year or two. Good point re. lack of larger house rentals, there are a few, but the market isn't exactly awash with them I have been finding. A LOT of ex rental houses up for sale, which may partly explain the lack of larger house rentals on the market. Some sellers may accept low bids to get shot of empty properties.
You could always have a look at Kintore which is a few miles closer to Aberdeen than Inverurie (the queue to get into Inverurie in the evenings can sometimes be 10-15 minutes). There is a nursery there as well. Looking on aspc there is one 4 bed furnished house for £1k per month. Only thing is there isn't a pub at the moment, but the one in the square will be opening again in April.
Thanks again guys.
I will be over next week and will be up in Kintore and Inverurie on Friday to see some nuseries. There are a couple with space for our wee ones so that's positive. Plus Everyone I've spoken to has been very welcoming so I'm quite excited to get over.
I'm hopefully going to see a property or two there, as well as one in the Grandholm Village area of Aberdeen which seems promising. If we end up in Inverurie I think a beer or two is in order for the local PH massiv.
I will be over next week and will be up in Kintore and Inverurie on Friday to see some nuseries. There are a couple with space for our wee ones so that's positive. Plus Everyone I've spoken to has been very welcoming so I'm quite excited to get over.
I'm hopefully going to see a property or two there, as well as one in the Grandholm Village area of Aberdeen which seems promising. If we end up in Inverurie I think a beer or two is in order for the local PH massiv.
I've been in Inverurie for 8ish years now and I'd be hard pushed to live anywhere else. I'm on my second house now.
I also echo about the decent train links and the shopping isn't to bad either. There's a few really good restaurants too.
On a weekend it's easy to get into Aberdeen in about 15-20 minutes.
I also echo about the decent train links and the shopping isn't to bad either. There's a few really good restaurants too.
On a weekend it's easy to get into Aberdeen in about 15-20 minutes.
Katzenjammer said:
Thanks again guys.
I will be over next week and will be up in Kintore and Inverurie on Friday to see some nuseries. There are a couple with space for our wee ones so that's positive. Plus Everyone I've spoken to has been very welcoming so I'm quite excited to get over.
I'm hopefully going to see a property or two there, as well as one in the Grandholm Village area of Aberdeen which seems promising. If we end up in Inverurie I think a beer or two is in order for the local PH massiv.
Grandholm's a great spot, some nice houses there.I will be over next week and will be up in Kintore and Inverurie on Friday to see some nuseries. There are a couple with space for our wee ones so that's positive. Plus Everyone I've spoken to has been very welcoming so I'm quite excited to get over.
I'm hopefully going to see a property or two there, as well as one in the Grandholm Village area of Aberdeen which seems promising. If we end up in Inverurie I think a beer or two is in order for the local PH massiv.
Very short trip to ARI from there if the Grandholm bridge is still open to residents, I think it is.
I'd take there over Inverurie/Kintore any day, traffic can be a nightmare going there and back.
Katzenjammer said:
Thanks O-S-R, James B and Captain Benzo. All very helpful info and much appreciated. Currently I have a 16 mile commute to work which takes 45-55 mins so I suspect Aberdeen will be tolerable.
I will be getting over for a few days next week to check the place out - well to view lots of nurseries (five on Thursday)! Hopefully I'll get a good understanding of the lie of the land. We'l be moving in 8 weeks so there's lots for me to do.
The wife is happy to move to an outlying area and Inverurie is somewhere we have been recommended more than once. Only trouble is, the nurseries I've identified there seem to close at 5.30pm which is a bit of a balls. I'll go there next Friday to see what the score is.
Unfortunately I'm struggling to find many four bedroom furnished houses, despite the rumours they are in good supply!
les enfants nursery in inverurie, closes at 6pm and currently has spaces. that's where Rampage and Princess ASBO go, excellent nursery. I will be getting over for a few days next week to check the place out - well to view lots of nurseries (five on Thursday)! Hopefully I'll get a good understanding of the lie of the land. We'l be moving in 8 weeks so there's lots for me to do.
The wife is happy to move to an outlying area and Inverurie is somewhere we have been recommended more than once. Only trouble is, the nurseries I've identified there seem to close at 5.30pm which is a bit of a balls. I'll go there next Friday to see what the score is.
Unfortunately I'm struggling to find many four bedroom furnished houses, despite the rumours they are in good supply!
renmure said:
If you get really stuck, I can do you a good deal on a 2 bedroom city center townhouse in Golden Square. Might even be able to send someone you might recognise around every couple of days to do a bit of dusting and cleaning. 
Excellent stuff! Though I reckon there'd be too much chatting about cars to get any useful cleaning done! (The truth is we're only moving to Aberdeen to see your Ultima)
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