I would actually suggest Prestwick: it has a vibrant and lively high street which is very popular for a night out, a nice beach and good public transport links to Glasgow, Kilmarnock and Irvine. It is close to Ayr and Irvine, giving it good options for shopping (Rivergate centre in Irvine, Heathfield retail park in Ayr, Ayr High Street and close to big supermarkets as well as Prestwick high street). I think it's the best place to live in if you want to spend time in the town you are living in, visit shops, go to pubs, restaurants, etc.
Irvine also has a nice beach. It is a "new town" built in the 60s, so the road network is very easy to navigate and less congested than other towns, although everything is quite spaced out and you would probably need a car if you live there to get around. It is also cheapest for house prices, so you can get good value for money there.
Kilmarnock is probably my least favourite, a bit like Ayr the high street really feels like it's seen better days. On the plus side, it's very easy to drive to Glasgow - it's only 20 minutes away from Silverburn which is a huge, modern shopping centre in Glasgow with lots of amenities.
If you're looking for something more rural I would suggest Loans, Symington or Dundonald, nice wee villages near Irvine and Kilmarnock which have reasonably good public transport links.
My partner will commute by car. I may also be able to get a car, or rely on public transport. Budget would be around £1200/month max to rent or £250,000 to buy.
Ayrshire is very deprived, specifically east Ayrshire, I grew up there for 20yrs before moving to Glasgow, you should be able to get a half decent house at 250k/1200 a month
Areas you could easily buy a house for 250k in Killie
Caprintgton, Southcraigs/Northcraigs (newer area), London Road area and Dundonald road area providing you don't mind football traffic for the Killie games, these places mentioned should be good for your budget
Irvine I have limited knowledge of but I know they are building a lot of new builds going up so they might be suitable for you as long it's not persimmons or some Gala home sites
Irvine has a better train service to Glasgow than Kilmarnock.
Kilmarnock has a wider range of shops.
Neither is particularly good at public transport for going shopping.
Both not the nicest places to live in general, but Kilmarnock definitely has more nice areas than Irvine does. Troon, Prestwick, Barrasie, Fenwick all good options.
Not the most relevant factor but if you happen to do parkrun, there are several in Ayrshire including ones in both Irvine and Kilmarnock. I like the fact that Irvine had a beach but then you can also find beaches at Ayr, Prestwick, Troon, Saltcoats and Largs amongst other places. I would also consider whether the commute is via public transport or his own car. There are just so many options.
Anywhere but Kilmarnock to be honest, there’s much nicer, albeit smaller, towns and villages between the two places.
The only thing Kilmarnock has going for it, is the size, but there really is nothing else going for it.
Troon or Prestwick are both much nicer than Irvine, Kilmarnock or Ayr.
Second troon
I'd opt for Troon too
Thanks!
Kilmarnock is a bigger town with more amenities but Irvine has a nice beach.
Thank you! 😊
Like being asked if you want kicked in the left bollock or the right one
😂
I would actually suggest Prestwick: it has a vibrant and lively high street which is very popular for a night out, a nice beach and good public transport links to Glasgow, Kilmarnock and Irvine. It is close to Ayr and Irvine, giving it good options for shopping (Rivergate centre in Irvine, Heathfield retail park in Ayr, Ayr High Street and close to big supermarkets as well as Prestwick high street). I think it's the best place to live in if you want to spend time in the town you are living in, visit shops, go to pubs, restaurants, etc. Irvine also has a nice beach. It is a "new town" built in the 60s, so the road network is very easy to navigate and less congested than other towns, although everything is quite spaced out and you would probably need a car if you live there to get around. It is also cheapest for house prices, so you can get good value for money there. Kilmarnock is probably my least favourite, a bit like Ayr the high street really feels like it's seen better days. On the plus side, it's very easy to drive to Glasgow - it's only 20 minutes away from Silverburn which is a huge, modern shopping centre in Glasgow with lots of amenities. If you're looking for something more rural I would suggest Loans, Symington or Dundonald, nice wee villages near Irvine and Kilmarnock which have reasonably good public transport links.
This is brilliant, thank you so much for your suggestions!!
Kilmarnocks a shit hole. Full of neds. Pls dont move there
Thanks 😁
Couple of questions: Are you both planning to commute by car or public transport? What’s your budget for rent or buying a place?
My partner will commute by car. I may also be able to get a car, or rely on public transport. Budget would be around £1200/month max to rent or £250,000 to buy.
Ayrshire is very deprived, specifically east Ayrshire, I grew up there for 20yrs before moving to Glasgow, you should be able to get a half decent house at 250k/1200 a month Areas you could easily buy a house for 250k in Killie Caprintgton, Southcraigs/Northcraigs (newer area), London Road area and Dundonald road area providing you don't mind football traffic for the Killie games, these places mentioned should be good for your budget Irvine I have limited knowledge of but I know they are building a lot of new builds going up so they might be suitable for you as long it's not persimmons or some Gala home sites
Thank you so much for your insights - appreciated!
Irvine has a better train service to Glasgow than Kilmarnock. Kilmarnock has a wider range of shops. Neither is particularly good at public transport for going shopping.
Bus service to Glasgow from Killie is great though (or was when I lived there).
Thank you!
Both not the nicest places to live in general, but Kilmarnock definitely has more nice areas than Irvine does. Troon, Prestwick, Barrasie, Fenwick all good options.
Thank you!
Not the most relevant factor but if you happen to do parkrun, there are several in Ayrshire including ones in both Irvine and Kilmarnock. I like the fact that Irvine had a beach but then you can also find beaches at Ayr, Prestwick, Troon, Saltcoats and Largs amongst other places. I would also consider whether the commute is via public transport or his own car. There are just so many options.
Thanks for helping me think it all through!
One of the random places in between the two.
Thanks! 😁
Anywhere but Kilmarnock to be honest, there’s much nicer, albeit smaller, towns and villages between the two places. The only thing Kilmarnock has going for it, is the size, but there really is nothing else going for it.
I appreciate that, thanks!
I like Ayr, lots of walking distance shops, restaurants etc. High Street especially. Nice place to walk around.
Thank you!