East or West - which is best?

[cobster]

Good and bad points please for a horsey smallholding:

We have the chance to buy in Scotland and there are two possible locations, we can't decide between them. We are new to both areas as this is a relocation from England so have no experience of living in either place.

Which would you choose, and why?

South West (Dumfries and Galloway) or North East (Aberdeenshire)

 

[teddypops]

The west is wetter and has more midges.

 

[TPO]

Aberdeenshire has more horsey stuff.

South west is pretty isolated.

Personally I'd pick somewhere more central but between those too definitely aberdeenshire

 

[PapaverFollis]

Aberdeenshire out of those two for me. It's a fair way up though so depends how far you want to be from England/friends/family etc.

 

[cobster]

Aberdeenshire out of those two for me. It's a fair way up though so depends how far you want to be from England/friends/family etc.

There are days when being a long way would be preferable - but I'm hoping the airport links to Aberdeen will help in that regard

 

[Midlifecrisis]

Echo the above...wetter in SW but shorter journey to relatives...dryer in NW but long way to drive. Like TPO I favour central belt but it is expensive.

 

[Pearlsasinger]

We have relatives who live in Dumfries and Galloway, near the coast and they love the area - very quiet, nowhere near as hilly as W. Yorks, where they moved from, wonderful dog-walking

 

[suebou]

Definitely Aberdeenshire. Horsy property is also v cheap atm as a bonus!
Moray is halfway between Inverness and Aberdeen, great but not as cheap!

 

[MrsMozart]

Aberdeenshire. Though as others have said, it'll add significantly to your journey time.

 

[1523679]

I’m further north than that, but definitely Aberdeenshire out of the two. More of a pain to get to, but that tends to keep property prices down. A bit.

If you’re completely new to both areas, renting before you buy can be worthwhile. Lets you scope out a place, and I wish we’d done it!

Good luck with the house-hunting!

 

[mossycup]

Yes Aberdeenshire without a doubt - far more connected for travel, jobs, and has a buzzing equestrian community

 

[MagicMelon]

Aberdeenshire. Lived here all my life. Good equestrian scene and very easy to get places if you travel further afield to events. Im an estate agent in the Shire so let me know what you're looking for as I might have something suitable on my books Got 2 or 3 properties with land just now. You get a lot more for your money outwith the city.

 

[cobster]

So, if all goes to plan, then Aberdeenshire is the choice - thanks everyone for their thoughts and comments, it really helps to get other's views and opinions. Keep your fingers crossed that things go smoothly for us, hopefully will be seeking hacking buddies and recommendations for local contacts etc in a couple of months

 

[Cloball]

Having lived in both I would go south west Dumfries I did not find any wetter and it was definitely sunnier, warmer and friendlier. I found it much easier to get places and see family as they are based in the north west. Aberdeen you and fly easily to the south coast if that's where you need to get to for family etc.
I am planning on going back to the south west when able. I wouldn't consider going back to Aberdeen.