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We are thinking about moving our young family to the Aviemore area.
We spend loads of time there during our time off from work so know the area well but I realise the reality of living there would be different from visiting during weekends away etc.
Both of our jobs would easily transfer to the area and we would have a decent enough budget for a house.
Our main reason for the move would be for the year round outdoor lifestyle.
We currently live near Aberdeen.
Can anyone who has lived in this area tell me about the pros and cons
Thanks
Scotroutes lives near iirc
Scotroutes moved up from near Edinburgh so can probably give the best advice, but here is my 2p worth,
We spend most weekends and a few holidays there as we have a caravan at Glenmore.
If you don't need to travel for your jobs, I struggle to see any significant downsides.
The only slight negatives are that:
It's a busy place which is getting bigger;
There is no high school - kids would have to bus to Kingussie (obvs not a problem if you don't have school age kids); and
The nearest decent sized place is Inverness - which I'm not a fan of.
I suspect that it has the same drug problems / petty crime levels of similar sized communities across Scotland and it could do with a German grocery discounter, but otherwise it'd be a decent place to live IMHO.
Scotroutes lives near iirc
Is that a pro or a con? 😀
I don't live there, but I do know what goes on throughout Badenoch and Strathspey from a crime/police point of view. And from that perspective, I would have no hesitation in living in Aviemore.
Is that a pro or a con?
Depends if you're pro or con B+.... 😉
Do.It.
My only regret is not doing it sooner.
Pros:
Everything outdoors, all 4 seasons
Good chance of employment
Good range of eating and drinking
Clubs, gyms, pool. Even a cinema.
Lots of incomers so not much of an us and them culture and you'll be made welcome.
Some new shops coming including Aldi and M&S Food.
Two good bike shops. Both have riding groups.
Right on the A9 and railway so good travel links.
4G and good broadband
Inverness is a nice wee city, is only 30 minutes away and has most everything else you'll need.
New hospital soon. Good GP practice.
Cons:
Town centre looks gruesome
House prices are higher than the surrounding area
Big development across the river planned.
There's so much here that I've almost stopped riding anywhere else.
Lots of holiday/second homes.
Courier costs are higher and some won't even deliver here.
That's just a quick brain dump. Feel free to ask anything specific either on here or by email.
Personally, I just don't like Aviemore so I'd be looking at the surrounding area - Newtonmore or Kingussie still well within reach of all the playgrounds but much nicer than Aviemore, and not so packed with tourists in summer.
purely IMO though
EDIT
Town centre looks gruesome
That's probably why I don't like it, it's a hideous first impression.
That's exactly what I did 2 years ago. We (me, wife and 8 year old son) moved from Edinburgh after living there all my life and have never looked back.
Amazing lifestyle, nice clean environment and friendly people.
Schools in and around the area are not to bad either, (my boy goes to Aviemore primary), small class sizes compared to Edinburgh and generally well behaved kids. My wife has worked at most of the local schools and nurseries and rates them all.
I work from home and go for a ride most days either over lunch or when I finish, living the dream.
Aviemore itself is a tourist hub so population varies week to week and season to season but it's easy to keep away from the high street when it's busy.
Good range of pubs in the area too the busy towns are Aviemore and Grantown with plenty smaller towns around the area, all depends on what you are looking for and how rural you want.
Happy to chat more if you want to.
Good point. We considered Kingussie and had a specific house in mind. Better vfm than Aviemore too. Then I worked out that I'd end up driving up and down the A9 lots and lots as most of the good local riding and paddling is all round Aviemore. If you don't mind driving to and from your rides, this might be less of an issue. Smaller towns are obviously more limited for other facilities too. Kingussie and Newtonmore locals constantly complain that everything is in Aviemore.BigButSlimmerBloke - Member
Personally, I just don't like Aviemore so I'd be looking at the surrounding area - Newtonmore or Kingussie still well within reach of all the playgrounds but much nicer than Aviemore,
Comes down to how big/small a town you want to live in. For us, practicalities won it.
I'm between Aviemore and Grantown, moved up twenty odd years ago and it's the best thing I ever did. It doesn't suit everyone tho.
Some new shops coming including Aldi and M&S Food
That's good to hear. The recent Tesco refurb seems to have resulted in quite a few lines being dropped.
e.g. Nespresso compatible pods and soya yoghurts, and the range of whiskies has reduced 😕
and anything that puts the squeeze on that chippy butcher can only be a good thing 😆
M&S food is rumoured to be part of the BP petrol garage though as the current one is being sold and BP are taking over, so certainly not big enough for a weekly shop.
Also all the major supermarkets do deliveries to the local area so the lack of product in the local Tesco / Co-Op is not a real issue.
Butcher is a star.
*watching with interest* We're on the lookout for a house in the environs with a view to shifting.
a few lines being dropped. e.g. Nespresso compatible pods
I'm NEVER moving to Aviemore
[i]Town centre looks gruesome[/i]
As a frequent visitor I'd describe it as a bit Blackpool with mountains. Like others have said, bike shops etc, plus there's one outdoors shop I really like. I frequently see new building taking place, so don't rely on being near the edge for long.
If you want Aviemore to look nicer simply drive there via Fort William rather than the A9. Hey presto, all of a sudden Aviemore town centre doesn't seem too bad a time all.
If you want Aviemore to look nicer simply drive there via Fort William rather than the A9. Hey presto, all of a sudden Aviemore town centre doesn't seem too bad a time all.
Is true!
Cons:
Road riding options are limited. Grantown is better placed to offer a variety of routes.
Tesco. Hard to avoid but a nightmare for parking and access. Don't go near it on a Saturday (changeover day).
Tracks get very busy with kids, dogs and prams during holidays. Really eats into your Stravaaaaaaing
Pros:
There's a brand new outdoor karting track. I'll warrant it has the best views of any in the UK.
Two trail centres reasonably close, Laggan and Glenlivet.