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I've just had a re-read of my post from 4 and a half years ago...and you were all right!
Matt_OAA wins with multi-rightness in that yes, we were mad and yes we would be better off moving to Glasgow. Congrats!
So, for the most part, moving from Aberdeenshire to Dorking has been a good move for us. Work-wise I managed to go ltd company contracting and get to work on some great projects and gain heaps of experience. The boy (7 now) is excelling in school and has a heap of good friends. Newest one that's come along in this time loves her nursery. Wife and I have made a load of good friends/riding buddies and the biking on our doorstep is better than I could ever have imagined. The post-ride social side is exactly what we were missing in Stonehaven and it would pain me the most to leave that part behind. Riding to the trailhead instead of driving has also been a good habit to pick up.
But...I wasn't prepared for just how busy it is around here! Dorking is gridlocked most of the time and the anxiety of walking the streets with the kids (if you can get past the cars parked on the pavement), exhausts pointed in their wee faces is just too much. Up until 4 and a half years ago, I had no idea what a bridleway was. and that I 'can't' ride my bike on a path that a bus can drive down if it says it's a footpath(!?). The anti-biking sentiment is so alien to me, it actually caused me to quit biking for a while and take up climbing. At that point I realised that I'd taken the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2001 for granted, and that's without the other things I enjoy(ed) doing, like wild camping, canoeing, open-water swimming/open-water floating-about-in-a-wetsuit-and-relaxing etc. I really hate the thought of the kids missing out on things like this (yes I understand they can still physically be done here). The last trip 'home' over Easter sealed it for us. Everything a bit slower...except the traffic...clean air, riding on a bit of trail alongside walkers and getting a friendly smile, and the enjoyable cruise up to Laggan for the boy to ride there for the first time was an amazing experience. He managed both reds too!
Anyway, enough with the SE-bashing preface.
We're in two minds on where to base ourselves. We're lucky in that I will continue contracting remotely with the guys I'm with at the moment, wife has an interview which is also remote. Without hedging eternity on the guys I'm with, my work would likely be Glasgow, albeit a few days a week, as would wife's other options likely be. Ideally we'd like to be Aberfeldy/Pitlochry/Dunkeld or even down to Bankfoot/Stanley/Luncarty area. I've spent a lot of my years camping, hiking and biking around here so I know it pretty well. We also got married at the Hermitage after a session on the trails on that side of the hill, so it's a bit special. Aberfeldy I know less so and it's possibly a bit out the way considering the curse of things like having to work. Nice and close to Perth for Wife's side of the family, another 30 mins to mine in Dundee.
Or North of Glasgow (cue the Milngavie/Bearsden bashing 😉 ) - Mugdock, Campsie and Kilpatrick Hills locally, Aberfoyle up the road a bit, climbing and bouldering in the same hills, loch swimming, City a short train ride/bike ride way. The schools seem good around there too which has to be a factor too now I guess.
I know there's some of you based in these rough vicinities, so what I'm wondering is what's the 'scene' like and likelihood of slotting in and finding a good group of folk to ride with. I appreciate everyone's more spread out and may drive to a spot to meet up, as we used to do in Stonehaven. The pro of living somewhere so crowded there's dozens and dozens or riders live here. There's about 5 or so riders a stone's throw from where I type, who's kids are friends are friends with my kids etc. I'm not sure we'd have the same thing up north? I enjoy going for solo rides sometimes... but am i wanting to have my cake and eat it?
I should add that the cost of living is a major factor in this, as I'm working 45 hours a week just to get by, leaving minimal time for fun stuff. I tend to do some more work once the kids are in bed and it's becoming a miserable existence. Moving back would mean I do a more normal 37.5 or even 4 days, and still have money for fun stuff
Sorry, I'm unclear what the question is... is it:
Given that myself and wife can work largely from home, or indeed Glasgow, (on the same salary as we currently do) should we move somewhere life affirming beautiful or stay in the sithole that is SE England?
You know the saying " there's no such thing as a stupid question" ....
There actually is
I'm from Perthshire, ended up in Perth, all nice around there, when i moved to Glasgow i was based in Bearsden to start with, never really liked the area, as they say, it's a bit 'all fur coat and nae knickers', plus it's just as busy as everywhere else, commuting in via the train is busy, by car it's just as bad as it's a real rat run through that way.
The journey from Dunkeld/Stanley is a long one to Glasgow, never enjoyed that, especially at peak times, so if it's quite a regular trip, that journey could add 3 or 4 hours to your day for both ways.
Again, personally, Glasgow for me was a bit insular, there was good, shopping and so on, Mugdock wasn't that great, when it was dry enough, Bearsden and Mulgay are costly, Strathblane and upwards even more so. As a Perthshire lad i'd always go for that, love all the places you mention, Aberfeldy is lovely, but again, it's expensive, and locked away a bit through bad weather, Dunkeld is lovely, but never really interested me, Stanley and those places always got a lot of love though, as did Bridge of Earn and Abernethy.
We're between Stirling & Perth. It's great for the commute, but the riding from the door would be better Crieff/Comrie direction.
I'd love to be in Dunkeld or Pitlochry for the riding & adventure opportunity, but it's a wee microclimate in the valley & in my experience is often damp/in the cloud. I think it would screw my asthma.
It's a compromise wherever you are, but all much better than the south east IMO.
Sorry, I’m unclear what the question is… is it:
Given that myself and wife can work largely from home, or indeed Glasgow, (on the same salary as we currently do) should we move somewhere life affirming beautiful or stay in the sithole that is SE England?
You know the saying ” there’s no such thing as a stupid question” ….
There actually is
my ramblings were a bit rambly, but the decision has been made to move back, it was more trying to get an idea of any active local riding 'scene' (hate that term) in Perthshire or Glasgow. I know at least that Glasgow MTB club are based in Milngavie and seem pretty big, and active. My time riding in Perthshire was always with my old riding mates, most of which have either stopped riding or died.
FWIW wife would take a 15-20K paycut, and we'd still be way better off
Does it have to be Glasgow or perthsire? None of the tweed valley towns appeal?
@Argee yes Perth itself is another option. Not far to anywhere, free babysitters for us, most facilities you could need, always found it very bike-friendly and the plans for the new Tay crossing from North Muirton(ish) to Scone look pretty good - new cycleways and a 'park and bike'! Not to mention having a wee spin up to Kinnoull & Deuchney. Tayside Trail Association have been doing some great work there and Pitmedden...which also brings me to the Abernethy option!
Maybe with the equity from this overpriced small lump of bricks I could just be a vanlifer...
Does it have to be Glasgow or perthsire? None of the tweed valley towns appeal?
Tweed Valley would be great but it wouldn't really work for us logistically I don't think. That big Edinburgh shaped object to get around for going North. I don't imagine the drive to Glasgow would be that fun and it's an extra barrier for the parents that don't drive
We are just outside of Kinross, 20 mins south of Perth. The local area is great for quality of life, with lots to do out and about. Loch Leven and the Lomond Hills are on the doorstep, Pitmedden is a 15 minute drive (Perfect conditions tonight btw).
Decent bus or park'n'train to Edinburgh, though Glasgow not so easy. Dunkeld/Pitlochry are within a spur of the moment day out, Tweed Valley a little further. Decent schools and local services too with plenty of local organised clubs and activities for kids, including a swimming pool within walking distance.
I get the appeal of somewhere a little further north, but I reckon we are in a pretty sweet spot.
We lived in Bankfoot for 15 years. It’s nice enough, but there’s a bit of Royston Vasey about it. Stanley is rough, Luncarty isn’t too bad. Dunkeld and Aberfeldy are too far a schlep up the A9 from Marks and Spencer and always feel a couple of degrees colder and damper. We now live on Kinnoull Hill for easy access to the M90 and A9 towards Glasgow. I can be at EDI legally in 45 mins which is handy for my monthly trips to London for work.
We can also walk to the cinema, theatre, concert hall and range of pubs and restaurants.
Tweed Valley would be great but it wouldn’t really work for us logistically I don’t think. That big Edinburgh shaped object to get around for going North. I don’t imagine the drive to Glasgow would be that fun and it’s an extra barrier for the parents that don’t drive
Eh it's really not much of an obstacle. The drive to Glasgow is cross country and really quite pleasant. I can be on the m8 in 40minutes and in Perth in a relaxed 1.20.
I wouldn't dismiss it if you like the idea.
I know at least that Glasgow MTB club are based in Milngavie and seem pretty big, and active.
Marina Cycles does quite a few shop rides and Luke is pretty active in the community and with Glasgow Mountain Bike Club as well. Might be worth a shout?
Agree with TroutWrestler. Im fairly close to him. and we have BlairAdam, Pitmedden, Lomonds, Ochils, Hillfoots all close by. Theres the West Fife trails, Pilgrims Trail, Coastal Path, Loch Leven, Lochore Meadows.....
Jump in the car and your at Aberfoyle/Glentress/Dunkeld in and around an hour - give or take. Aviemore a little further.
Your close to Edinburgh, Dundee, Glasgow, Perth etc for shopping, work etc. I occasionally have to go into South Central Glasgow for work, and its around 55 minutes to the office over the Clackmannan Bridge (picking time wisely)
IMO for location and options, think its the 'sweet spot'.
We'd lived in the SE for 15 years before moving to the Borders, and my OH is actually SE born & bred, and I've ridden all over the SE including many rides around the Surrey Hills (usually parking at Ryka's as also a motorcyclist).
We've been up here over 10 years now and while I do travel south with work, because of Covid, I'd kinda forgotten just how busy it was. In November though I spent a week or two on business including working around Dorking. We moan about driving in/around Edinburgh, but what a miserable time it was in the constant traffic, no matter what the time (and in the past I often did +40k pa, so use to traffic).
If you can increase your quality of life without impacting your finances, do it.
Oh, and your folks that don't drive, there's a train into the heart of the Borders 🙂
Live in Murthly having moved about 6 years back. Love it. 25 minutes into Perth, 10 to Dunkeld. 5 min onto the A9. Unlimited road biking from my door, great classic hill loops on the mtb as well. Plenty of more techy stuff if wanted. hour and a bit into the central belt if needed. Houses are cheaper here like for like than in Dunkeld but still a really nice wee village. Primary school is excellent. Kids default at secondary into Perth although we are right on the catchment so probably going to opt for Breadalbane in Aberfeldy. One thing to note for Aberfeldy is that it is surprisingly far off the A9, although it is lovely. Pitlochry is very touristy but te upper bits seem nicer. Feel free to DM if you have Qs
If I was to move from the SE to Scotland, Aberfeldy/Pitlochry etc would be very very high on the list.
Tons of riding on the doorstep; gravel, full on enduro, or proper mountain stuff. Ready access to Perth, Edinburgh not that far away. Neither is the Cairngorms.
Dunkeld was a bit too touristy, it was full of yanks when I was there, and there's not much there aside from the touristy stuff. Aberfeldy, even though it's further off the A9, had more shops, a bigger supermarket, and felt a nicer to live.
Above everything, even having stayed in Cardrona in the Tweed valley they last few days, is just how friendly everyone is - almost everyone says hello passing by on the railway path, and it seems there's a huge riding scene but a lot of people knows each other.
Honestly, if I can make it work, work-wise - I'll be seriously considering Perthshire in a few years once I've got a house deposit together.
Thanks for all the insights and responses! We're veering towards the Perth area, either Perth itself Kinnoull/Gannochy or Craigie kind of areas, or perhaps out to Abernethy. I need to let go of the idea of needing to be living in riding distance of the trails. It's only been 4 years but I seem to have forgotten that it's easy to drive 10 miles or so. The planet can take one more for the team...right?!
I've been quite insipred by the wonderful work the Tayside Trail Association has been doing to maintain the trails, from Pitmedden to Dunkeld and inbetween. Not just the sick gnarcore to the max trails, but the path network as a whole and healing relationships between landowners, horseriders, walkers and the local community. This of course also means reminding our community that our right to responsible access doesn't mean digging your own trails anywhere we see fit. Same goes for the guys at DMBinS. One of my first jobs when we finally make it will be to sign up to some of their Dig Days.
I was reading some more exciting news yesterday that Craigie Hill Golf Club in Perth are securing their future and their relevance/place in the community buy selling half their land (down to 9 holes) to redevelop it. It will feature a series of trails and a skills/coaching area for use by schools for example, adventure park, new cycle path/foot path network linking neighbouring woodland, outdoor nursery and various other things. Their membership has overwhelmingly voted in favour of it. Although some of their plans may not got ahead in their full form, TTA have apparently already begun laying flags for the trails. Surely this is a world first - golfers and bikers living in harmony? What a time to be alive!