Moving to Aberdeen help
Discussion
I am bucking the trend and moving to Aberdeen from Falkirk for work. My wife will be coming with me (no kids). I have spent a lot of time in Aberdeen as I attended college for my apprenticeship before going offshore for 12 years.
I am not keen on living in the City so we are looking at the suburbs and surrounding towns which I don't know very well. Iv had a drive around Banchory, Inverurie and Stonehaven and all seem like pleasant enough places. Any areas that I should avoid and any other areas worth considering. I would like to keep the commute within 30 mins of Altens.
Despite the downturn prices still considerably higher than Falkirk which is a shock.
I am not keen on living in the City so we are looking at the suburbs and surrounding towns which I don't know very well. Iv had a drive around Banchory, Inverurie and Stonehaven and all seem like pleasant enough places. Any areas that I should avoid and any other areas worth considering. I would like to keep the commute within 30 mins of Altens.
Despite the downturn prices still considerably higher than Falkirk which is a shock.
Are you here for the long haul?
Although Altens is south side of town (which means the likes of Stonehaven, Banchory etc suit being the right side), the city bypass (AWPR) will be complete in about 18 months or so which means commuting from any side of town should no longer be a major issue.
North:
Newmachar, Balmedie, Kintore. Ellon at a push but willl need more than 30 minutes commute to Altens pre-AWPR)
West;
Westhill, Kingswells (But potentially new AFC Stadium being built out this way)
South:
Portlethen, Stonehaven, Newtonhill
Each will naturally have its own share of lets say 'less desirable area' within to live but you'll be able to tell during viewings.
Although Altens is south side of town (which means the likes of Stonehaven, Banchory etc suit being the right side), the city bypass (AWPR) will be complete in about 18 months or so which means commuting from any side of town should no longer be a major issue.
North:
Newmachar, Balmedie, Kintore. Ellon at a push but willl need more than 30 minutes commute to Altens pre-AWPR)
West;
Westhill, Kingswells (But potentially new AFC Stadium being built out this way)
South:
Portlethen, Stonehaven, Newtonhill
Each will naturally have its own share of lets say 'less desirable area' within to live but you'll be able to tell during viewings.
Pib1978 said:
Are you here for the long haul?
Although Altens is south side of town (which means the likes of Stonehaven, Banchory etc suit being the right side), the city bypass (AWPR) will be complete in about 18 months or so which means commuting from any side of town should no longer be a major issue.
North:
Newmachar, Balmedie, Kintore. Ellon at a push but willl need more than 30 minutes commute to Altens pre-AWPR)
West;
Westhill, Kingswells (But potentially new AFC Stadium being built out this way)
South:
Portlethen, Stonehaven, Newtonhill
Each will naturally have its own share of lets say 'less desirable area' within to live but you'll be able to tell during viewings.
Moving up for the foreseeable, thinking 4 years. Yes I did take the AWPR into consideration but don't know a lot about Ellon and the likes. Iv been out to Old Meldrum to play golf and it seemed nice enough but not much to the town. I like the idea of Stonhaven and Banchory as they are nice places for the family to come up and visit. Ellon doesn't sound that apealing to visit unless I am doing it an injustice.Although Altens is south side of town (which means the likes of Stonehaven, Banchory etc suit being the right side), the city bypass (AWPR) will be complete in about 18 months or so which means commuting from any side of town should no longer be a major issue.
North:
Newmachar, Balmedie, Kintore. Ellon at a push but willl need more than 30 minutes commute to Altens pre-AWPR)
West;
Westhill, Kingswells (But potentially new AFC Stadium being built out this way)
South:
Portlethen, Stonehaven, Newtonhill
Each will naturally have its own share of lets say 'less desirable area' within to live but you'll be able to tell during viewings.
When is the AWPR due to open or at least some sections of it? The website doesn't give any dates which is understandable given the delays. Cheers
young_bairn said:
Moving up for the foreseeable, thinking 4 years. Yes I did take the AWPR into consideration but don't know a lot about Ellon and the likes. Iv been out to Old Meldrum to play golf and it seemed nice enough but not much to the town. I like the idea of Stonhaven and Banchory as they are nice places for the family to come up and visit. Ellon doesn't sound that apealing to visit unless I am doing it an injustice.
When is the AWPR due to open or at least some sections of it? The website doesn't give any dates which is understandable given the delays. Cheers
I believe some sections (Northern) could be open by end of 2017 and the bigger chunk by middle of 2018.When is the AWPR due to open or at least some sections of it? The website doesn't give any dates which is understandable given the delays. Cheers
A project of this scale is bound to bring delays so I wouldn't like to say for certain but the area where I stay which is not far from Newmachar is really starting to take shape and small sections of it are already live.
A few colleagues stay in (or recently moved to) Ellon.
Its got plenty out there - restaurants, pubs, shops etc. A large-ish Tescos and Brewdog are based out there also.
Similar distance to Aberdeen as Stonehaven would be. Trumps golf course is hallway between Ellon and Aberdeen but its not cheap to play there.
No major supermarket out in Oldmeldrum - nearest would be Ellon (Tesco only) or Inverurie (All the major players)
Stonehaven also has no major supermarket - closest is Tescos which is a few miles up the road in Newtonhill and Asda in Portlethen.
Train stations at Stonehaven, Portlethen and Inverurie. All others mentioned are serviced by buses only (or a ludicrously expensive taxi ride!)
Have a look on ASPC for properties - you can filter to all those areas too.
personally, Stonehaven will probably tick many of the boxes (I'm biased...grew up there)
South side of the city makes for an easy commute to Altens and the city, yet more to do than Portlethen
15 minute rail trip will take you straight into Union Square, Aberdeen - ideal for cinema, shopping and getting home after a night out.
Schools are good if you plan on having kids eventually It's lovely down the old harbour in summer as well.
My wife works in Stonehaven (after having spent a decade in Falkirk itself) and really likes the town.
I'm currently down in Laurencekirk, and it takes around 45 minutes to get from there by car to west end Aberdeen for work,
South side of the city makes for an easy commute to Altens and the city, yet more to do than Portlethen
15 minute rail trip will take you straight into Union Square, Aberdeen - ideal for cinema, shopping and getting home after a night out.
Schools are good if you plan on having kids eventually It's lovely down the old harbour in summer as well.
My wife works in Stonehaven (after having spent a decade in Falkirk itself) and really likes the town.
I'm currently down in Laurencekirk, and it takes around 45 minutes to get from there by car to west end Aberdeen for work,
Edited by phope on Friday 7th April 13:13
I stay about 7 miles from Banchory, pretty rural. Deeside is a lovely area, plenty of nice houses, a few nice pubs and restaurants. However, if you're working in Altens I think I would be looking either west end of the city itself, or down Stonehaven way. Living north of the city, even when the bypass is finished will be over 30 minutes for that commute.
Stonehaven is fine as a place to stay, on the mainline rail into the city, easy for visitors to get to, plenty to see and do round there.
Good luck!
Stonehaven is fine as a place to stay, on the mainline rail into the city, easy for visitors to get to, plenty to see and do round there.
Good luck!
Thanks for the replies. Think I have my head in Stonehaven now. More for my wife's sake really as being stuck an hour out of town when I'm working will probably send her doolalay. I work shifts so early starts and late finishes mean the roads will be quiet.
2nd viewing planned for a house in Stonehaven on Monday. The good thing is there us plenty to choose from
2nd viewing planned for a house in Stonehaven on Monday. The good thing is there us plenty to choose from
Be aware of the sea haar on the east coast. Many well made plans of late afternoon and early evening BBQs have been ruined by it in the summer. Seriously depressing sitting at work with the sun shining and seeing that bank of fog heading in by home time and it happens a lot. 7-8 miles inland guarantees you won't have that problem.
My mum moved to Inverurie from the Balmedie area mainly for climate reasons and I wouldn't live on the coast because of it.
The likes of Balmedie, Portlethen, Cove and Newtonhill are relatively cheap for Aberdeen but there is a reason for it. Stonehaven is a bit pricier because it's an older town with a lot more going on. Popular with tourists as well. If I had to live on the coast, it would be there.
My mum moved to Inverurie from the Balmedie area mainly for climate reasons and I wouldn't live on the coast because of it.
The likes of Balmedie, Portlethen, Cove and Newtonhill are relatively cheap for Aberdeen but there is a reason for it. Stonehaven is a bit pricier because it's an older town with a lot more going on. Popular with tourists as well. If I had to live on the coast, it would be there.
rossub said:
Be aware of the sea haar on the east coast. Many well made plans of late afternoon and early evening BBQs have been ruined by it in the summer. Seriously depressing sitting at work with the sun shining and seeing that bank of fog heading in by home time and it happens a lot. 7-8 miles inland guarantees you won't have that problem.
My mum moved to Inverurie from the Balmedie area mainly for climate reasons and I wouldn't live on the coast because of it.
The likes of Balmedie, Portlethen, Cove and Newtonhill are relatively cheap for Aberdeen but there is a reason for it. Stonehaven is a bit pricier because it's an older town with a lot more going on. Popular with tourists as well. If I had to live on the coast, it would be there.
Iv heard that quite a lot from people at work. Iv also seen it with my own eyes. Strange how the haar sticks to the coast in the summer. I don't think that is a deal breaker for though but I will take it into consideration. I actually prefer Banchory setting with the trees etc but I do worry about the midge!My mum moved to Inverurie from the Balmedie area mainly for climate reasons and I wouldn't live on the coast because of it.
The likes of Balmedie, Portlethen, Cove and Newtonhill are relatively cheap for Aberdeen but there is a reason for it. Stonehaven is a bit pricier because it's an older town with a lot more going on. Popular with tourists as well. If I had to live on the coast, it would be there.
It's mentioned above - Kintore is a great place to stay.
A few supermarkets to choose from, modern schools, good community spirit, pub, a few take-aways etc. Inland away from the haar that you get on the coast in the summer. At the moment, a drive to Altens would be about 45 minutes each way due to the AWPR roadworks, but once complete it should be about 20 - 25 minutes at most.
If you like cars and motorsport, then the Fintray hillclimb is only a 5 minute drive away and runs a few weekends per year.
A few supermarkets to choose from, modern schools, good community spirit, pub, a few take-aways etc. Inland away from the haar that you get on the coast in the summer. At the moment, a drive to Altens would be about 45 minutes each way due to the AWPR roadworks, but once complete it should be about 20 - 25 minutes at most.
If you like cars and motorsport, then the Fintray hillclimb is only a 5 minute drive away and runs a few weekends per year.
abzmike said:
Kintore to Altens in 20 mins? Optimistic, but it'll be fun trying when the AWPR is open!
I don't think it would be unreasonable. I travel to Knockhill from Kintore quite a bit, and leaving at 6am I am normally at the Stonehaven turn-off about 35 - 38 minutes after leaving the house (2-3 minutes to get out of Kintore itself), and that's going in via Bucksburn, over Anderson Drive and Bridge of Dee and sticking to the speed limits. Much depends on how many sets of lights you get stopped at and for how long. Using a more direct route with no lights to stop at and no 30 or 40mph zones should hopefully see an easy minutes shaved from the current time. I lived in Stonehaven for 5 years and worked in Altens. Trundling up and down the A90 everyday did my head in. Busy, s
te driving standards, stone chips galore and boring.
I've now been in Banchory for the past 4 years, still working in Altens. The commute takes about 30mins and I get to drive wonderful country roads twice a day through lovely scenery. Wouldn't change it, except for the road surface which is a disgrace.
te driving standards, stone chips galore and boring.I've now been in Banchory for the past 4 years, still working in Altens. The commute takes about 30mins and I get to drive wonderful country roads twice a day through lovely scenery. Wouldn't change it, except for the road surface which is a disgrace.
I'd be avoiding Inverurie. Too many new houses being built / built recently with little to no changes to the roads out onto the A96. Even with the downturn in Oil mornings on the Inverurie bypass are start stop. I'd imagine getting through Inverurie to be worse.
Weekend traffic through Inverurie is horrendous in my experience. I avoid having to go into the town where possible. Shame as it's a nice place.
Weekend traffic through Inverurie is horrendous in my experience. I avoid having to go into the town where possible. Shame as it's a nice place.
JohnS said:
It's mentioned above - Kintore is a great place to stay.
A few supermarkets to choose from, modern schools, good community spirit, pub, a few take-aways etc. Inland away from the haar that you get on the coast in the summer. At the moment, a drive to Altens would be about 45 minutes each way due to the AWPR roadworks, but once complete it should be about 20 - 25 minutes at most.
If you like cars and motorsport, then the Fintray hillclimb is only a 5 minute drive away and runs a few weekends per year.
Following a similar request I made last year re. moving to Aberdeen https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&... my first year anniversary as a Kintore resident occurs this week. A few supermarkets to choose from, modern schools, good community spirit, pub, a few take-aways etc. Inland away from the haar that you get on the coast in the summer. At the moment, a drive to Altens would be about 45 minutes each way due to the AWPR roadworks, but once complete it should be about 20 - 25 minutes at most.
If you like cars and motorsport, then the Fintray hillclimb is only a 5 minute drive away and runs a few weekends per year.
It's proven to be great place to live on all fronts (granted my life is fairly child-centric) and would second JohnS' comments.
I have a neighbour who commutes from Kintore to Altens so it seems feasible enough, provided you are not in a rush to be home by a certain time. That said, any time I've been down that way (approx 45 mins drive on a weekend) , with the terrible traffic and current road works I'm grateful for not having to endure that daily. After AWPR is opened, the journey should be much reduced.
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