Dundee/Tayside/Perthshire/Leuchars - what’s it like to live?

We moved to the countryside near Arbroath (from Shetland) in December. That's around 30mins away.

So far we're loving it and my son is happy in school. Loads of easy access to a range of countryside for hiking and biking including the Cairngorms, and easy access to rail and road networks and a choice of shops! After 12 years in Shetland we could be easily pleased though 🤣

Having a little anniversary celebration cycling weekend to Dundee this weekend.

The only thing I know about Leuchars is the Aerocafe, a unique dining experience; and the bike shop there were very helpful when I had a mid ride seat clamp fail.

Loads of options of nice places to live within 30mins of Dundee depending on your budget and needs. Couldn't comment on the city itself.

Dundee's fine, grew up around Perthshire and Dundee and back in the 80s early 90s it was a bit rough around the edges, but it's been regenerated pretty well over the years and it's a nice enough area.

Perth is on a bit of a downer these days though, it needs some regeneration, but still nice enough, most areas around Dundee are decent enough, but will limit what you have around you, what type of stuff are you in to, and do you have kids, that might drive where to move more, you have the coastal stuff, or you can go a little north and inland, but if it's city living, Dundee and Perth are fine, but i'd definitely have a look around to work out what you're after.

If central belt commuting is going to be a thing, Perth makes more sense, places like Bridge of Earn are lovely and near the M90 junction and a short hop over to the A90 to Dundee.

I lived there for a few years, 2010 for 6/7 years or something, so have a view as a non Dundonian (English) of what its like.

Honestly I really liked it. And now the whole WFH thing has kicked off kinda wish I was back there (Im in Fife near a train station that put me 35min from the office I no longer go to)

Once out of town theres a lot of good road riding, especially Carse of Gowrie. The Sidlaws have some good running, the MTB options being more limited but still some good fun trails with some really good hand built trails too at the more DH end of the market. Pitmudden isnt far away, Dunkeld too, Tentsmuir makes a fund post work blast albeit dead flat. You can be in Aviemore in a little over 2hrs.

I found the locals great, if perhaps a little dour at the same time. Had one neighbour that was a bit of a **** admittedly.

To give you an idea of what folk are generally like, when we moved towards Edinburgh a running club mate offered us his Edinburgh apartment to help us out as we were struggling to find somewhere to buy. That said, our social contacts were mostly running/biking/other hobbies and The Lab related so maybe thay distorts things.

Id say location will be really important, our house managed to be somewhere quiet and never really somewhere anti social behaviour was a problem.

We left before the major waterfront works really took off, not sure how thays impacted the quality of life.

The start of the ring road could be a pain at times for traffic, but nothing compared to what id seen down south.

Id probably not want to have to drive round Perth on a regular basis, and the A92 in Fife has its fair share of bell ends, the Tay Bridge does get closed occasionally (not for long, but its a long way round when it does).

If, I was to head back, with a regular need to be on site for work in Dundee. Either a carefully selected location in town/Broughty Ferry, one of the villages to the north or west but no further than Perth, and maybe Wormit/Newport on Tay just over the bridge.

This is really helpful - and reassuring, thank you.

Should have mentioned that we don’t need to factor in kids.

It’s a funny thing - if the job comes off for the Mrs we’ll probably need to move fairly quickly, but we’re reluctant to visit the area in advance in case it jinxes anything 🤣

I WFH 90% of the time, so good internet is probably more critical than commuting links to the Central Belt. I go to London monthly, and that’s it…

Not sure if you'll be looking to buy or rent, but we were really struggling with the timescales and availablity for renting back in December. What there was was going almost before it was advertised and we were right down to the wire getting a place.

We actually had a weekend trip down from shetland at great expense to go around the estate agents asking and looking at areas. Also what we weren't expecting was to have to go in person when we finally did find somewhere available we were interested in. None of the estate agents would let without one of us being there in person, so my wife had another expensive overnight trip from shetland to secure the property.

I go to London monthly, and that’s it…

It didnt happen by default due to timings, cost, and ending up in the wrong part of London. But my partner quite enjoyed being able to walk to the airport for the London flight.

We lived in Cupar and loved it! Great biking, coastal walks, chilled way of life.

Work moved me away, but I plan to retire there or return sooner if work can be manipulated.

It’s a funny thing – if the job comes off for the Mrs we’ll probably need to move fairly quickly, but we’re reluctant to visit the area in advance in case it jinxes anything 🤣

Id say its worth the visit.

There are definitely some areas of Dundee id take a hard pass on.

You'll want to visit www.tspc.co.uk as well as the usual suspects like Rightmove

I've always said that if Dundee were south of the border, it would be the trendiest and most expensive place to live. South facing, by the sea and hills, compact, historical buildings, growing employment in technology and research, surrounded by even nicer places within 20 miles.*

*Yes that's rose tinted specs view, and I've worked with schools across Dundee in some more 'challenging' areas, but geographically it's got huge amounts going for it.

I've lived and worked in Dundee for 9 years now and really like it. It feels on the up, and with a relatively large student population is pretty vibrant. Commuting from home to desk is <20 minutes by car or bike despite living out of town. And I've never had an issue with being English, unlike in Glasgow or Edinburgh.

Decent, tough XC in the Sidlaws, nice enduro trails at Ballo, both 15 minutes from town. Deuchny or Pitmedden 30 minutes away, Dunkeld 45. Aboyne/Pitfitchie/Ballater in 90 minutes. Lots of climbing and running options too.

DM me if you want to chat or would like more info.

Who is the job with? That may influence where you want to live.

Who is the job with? That may influence where you want to live.

Ill bet 20 pence its got a Nine involved

Would bet more but the Labs and Universities are always hot contenders.

Ill bet 20 pence its got a Nine involved

it might well be.

I grew up in Balmullo* near leuchars. the area is nice, the public transport blows and balmullo itself of boring as.

*not actually in the villages, too posh for that.

I've always liked Dundee, and that was even before the regeneration really kicked in. Its a cracking town with lots of options around it if you want more rural. Your issue may well be finding a house though.

Perth is on a bit of a downer these days though, it needs some regeneration, but still nice enough

Having lived here for 20 years, this doesn't ring true for me.
Sure the high street has the same issues as others as a result of out of town and online shopping, but there's investment too in terms of The Concert Hall and recently refurbed theatre. The City Hall is also finally being regenerated into a new museum for the Stone of Destiny. There are decent places to eat and drink and the North and South Inch are pleasant spaces for recreation and hosting events.

Compare Perth with the grim northern (English) towns and you might get a better understanding of what being on a bit of a downer is.

I wouldn't discount Tayport or Wormit as decent places to live either.

There are some lovely bits of Dundee - generally the southern bits of the city from Invergowrie, past the botanics and out to Broughty. Some of the central inner city bits are less desirable IMHO.

I'm out to the north, living in a rural setting with one of those villages close by (Glamis). I love it and will never move if I can help it. Biking and running on trails literally from the doorstep.
Great road riding; extensive river & sea watersports. Snowsports on proper mountains nearby. Stunning trails within day tripping range; over and above the local, the Dunkeld/Pitlochry and Deeside trail locations described, there are proper mountain trails on the likes of the Angus Glens, Lochnagar, Ben MacDhui, Feshie, Ben Alder... bikepacking into the Gorms, straight from your door..
Don't fprget the Rep theatre in town and the DCA, an art house cinema.
Clean water for swimming in some rivers and many lochs. Local food producers.
I'd recommend basing to the north or north west of town, easy access into work if you have to (I bike commuted for 30 years, but now WFH) yet easy access towards the hills. Somewhere like Alyth, Meigle or Newtyle puts you on a bus route too, and the furthest of these is 30 minutes to the town centre.
Happy to help provide more specific intel if you'd like.

There's been a few of these threads pop up over the years. It's always nice hearing others opinions of my bit of the world,especially when they've got a good things to say!

I stay between Perth and Dundee which is a great area for food, drink, road and gravel riding. NE Fife also really nice, got a mate who stays in Leuchars and its quiet, not far to get to dundee and good road/gravel riding in tentsmuir.

Compare Perth with the grim northern (English) towns and you might get a better understanding of what being on a bit of a downer is.

Agreed.

Leuchars didn't used to be quiet 😕

That place needs to be full of Tornado F3's again 😁

Leuchars didn’t used to be quiet 😕

That place needs to be full of Tornado F3’s again 😁

nope. it needs the phantoms and the sea king back back.

it used to be absolutely heaving with phantoms constantly practicing hard turns after take off below our house

Thanks for the offers of help with wayfinding - very kind.

My fingers are firmly crossed that the move comes off. I’m definitely up for it.

Will report back here in due course.

We moved up to the area last year from England. We really like it. We work at Ninewells, lived in Perth for 6 months and now live over in Fife.

Everything has been said above really so not much to add other than there’s a lot to like and if you want any specific advice from a recent incomer then shout.