[Closed] Aberdeen?

It's a sh1thole full of semi-evolved idiots who are evidence that we stopped evolving about the same time as we climbed out of the trees.
And it's expensive.
And there's no decent pubs.
And it's cold.

On the plus side, it's surrounded by really nice places like Stonehaven which are easily commutable.

**Please note, the opinions expressed in this post are not the opinions of STW or it's staff, but those of one pissed off former resident of Misery Central

Ok, thanks for that, anyone else?

Not sure what it's like to live there as I've never been but:

[url= http://www.careerbuilder.co.uk/Article/CB-176-Job-Search-Britains-best-cities-for-jobs/?lr=int_ukyahoo ]Check this[/url]

Which looks promising.

It's a sh1thole full of semi-evolved idiots who are evidence that we stopped evolving about the same time as we climbed out of the trees.
And it's expensive.
And there's no decent pubs.

On the plus side, it's surrounded by really nice places like Stonehaven which are easily commutable.

wow! what a shite reply that is. Stonehaven isn't as rosy either. Always get a good scrap in Stoney square whether you want it or not.

Been in Aberdeen since I was 16 and never seen any of the above.

Joe email with what you want to know

im hoping its got a large demographic of men/women wanting bikes as i opened a bike shop in stoney!

good riding locally,a snowboard slope,surfing in the sea,good mountains within 1/2 hour drive,scotlands biggest porsche dealer....whats not to like?

yep, right alongside Milton Keynes. woofekkinhoo.
Aberdeen or FurryBootsToon as it's sometimes called after the plaintive call of the locals FurryBootsYeFaeMon) was a big town with a small village mentality doing well enough out of fushin an fermin until the oil came along. Then all sorts happened. Big business moved in and brught all these Incomers from The World Outside. The fushin promptly packed in and moved to Peterheed a few miles up the coast and the Black Stuff took over. this never really sat well with the locals who view people from the next street as foreigners, causing their shoulders to end up with more chips than McCain's.

bruneep - I was there for a few years, although I left around 10 years ago. I have very few good memories of the place and even the ones I have are questionable, eg seeing someone I didn't like getting a kicking in Justice Mill Lane. Funny when you rank that as a "good" memory. I left because, well, you can work out why from my post. Down to Stoney for another few years. Loved it. Never saw trouble, made good friends I'm still in touch with and kept helping out at the Fireballs for years afterwards.

Whilst it may not have the operatic opportunities as the grander cities of the UK, TBH it's not too bad a place to live at the moment. However this could all change if those hydrocarbons dry up and it becomes like any other post industrial wasteland in the UK.

BBSB - an interesting personal view indeed.

I'm sure a lot of folks would take exception to your description of the fine Aberdonians and equally welcomed residents from other parts of the world.

I'm sitting here looking at the local hills (with their trails), it's currently sunny, we have relatively robust employment and above average incomes, don't see too much wrong with the place TBH.

A snapshot review based on your experience 10years ago.

🙄

Well done

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im hoping its got a large demographic of men/women wanting bikes as i opened a bike shop in stoney!

good riding locally,a snowboard slope,surfing in the sea,good mountains within 1/2 hour drive,[b]scotlands biggest porsche dealer[/b]....whats not to like?

Can this be the same man who was moaning about his VAT bill to me on Tuesday? 😀

I did my postgrad there. Some of the pubs are ok,(blackfriars) errrrrr and it has good transport links with the rest of Europe?

It's overpriced due to the oil money.
Town centre seems to be pretty busy every night due to the oil workers.
Some of the oil workers are discracefully-behaved chauvinistic, racist, ignorant bell-ends, who after 2 weeks booze-free want nothing more than to get as pished as is humanly possible, all of which can make the town centre a not very nice place to be on occasion.
It will be significantly colder than Milton Keynes.
There are nice bits round and about - I very much like Banchory, which is commutable if you actually work in Aberdeen.
Commuting is horrendous most days, due to the lack of a ring-road. If you know your short-cuts, it can be better.
Petrol is slightly cheaper than a lot of places in the UK.
It's close to some tremendous wilderness, for biking, skiing, snowboarding, surfing, etc.

All based on my previous 5 years of trying to spend as little time in Aberdeen as possible.

Pete, You just cant please some folk.
Things have moved on since the Big man was here. It aint perfect but...
Been here 20 years. Moved up from my home town of Edinburgh but I am not going back cos I like it here better. I still rate Edinburgh as the No2 place to live 😉

I was born there so in my book that's a plus. However I moved away when I was 4 so in the past 30 years it's had something to live up to. I'm not moving back so it isn't likely to improve.

I seem to recall that it was cold and my brother got free milk at school, however in England they didn't give out milk so by the time I left nursery and went to school I didn't get any. I've always thought that was unfair.

Plus Margaret from nursery confiscated my huge paper aeroplane that my Dad made for me which I took to nursery. She put it on a high shelf and didn't give it back before I left.

just moved to aberdeen myself.

In summary
1. if you like a good night out, with good clubs and music, loads of good places to eat etc your wasting your time.
2. If you spend more time in the country walking/riding/snowstuff its pretty good.
3. its expensive
4. the most unpleasent people I have come across, in the month or so I have been here is your typical southern type ( I inderstand most places are south of aberdeen, but you know what I mean) who think that they are a cut above.

just my 2pence worth

I'm not going to defend it 100% as it is not 100% perfect in all respects I would like. However, in comparison to many places in the UK I would suggest that it is not a bad place to live.

Always makes me chuckle when I watch some of the reality cop type shows on the telly - would definately not want to visit anywhere in the NW of England, Lincolnshire, etc, etc.

Flying Ox - appreciate usage of the word 'some'....just as 'some' English football fans will riot if their team does not win, same as 'some' folks with a certain view on religion will seek out other religions to wreak damage, same as 'some' who live on council estates will be thieving chavs.

I'm sure we have all had negative experiences in many locations around the world, but does that make them bad places and their residents terrible - probably not.

A snapshot review based on your experience 10years ago.

Still, you managed to read some of my post, so well done you.

rudi

1 - true
2 - true, but true of most of scotland north of the central belt
3 - very true
4 - mmmmm not so sure. the people I got on best with were non-natives, natives were the ones which the hugest of chips on their shoulders. Even outside Aberdeen (Bervie and Stoney), it was non Aberdonians that I got on with. Although Bervie could get a bit weird after dark.

mcHamish - everyone got free milk - they just knew you were from Aberdeen so were picking on you

I was a student there for 8 years. No complaints, but was pleased to leave - not sure I'd want to have stayed any longer.

Places like Banchory, Ballater etc are all very nice - used to escape to the Cairngorms with the MTB at weekends. Very close to half-decent skiing as well.

Sounds interesting, are there any nice women around then?

Well I grew up there (11-28) and am very glad I did. BBSB talks about chips but to me it sounds like he must have one sooo-ore shoulder... You do sound a bit bitter TBH.

It does lack culture, compared to the likes of Edinburgh - there's a stuffy gallery which does occasionally get the odd interesting exhibition going and a few arts centres but nothing of any interest really. The main theatre reckons it's doing well if it gets 'Blood Brothers' to come.

On the plus side though, it is a good night out if you go to the right places with the right people. There's also a thriving live music scene and I have to disagree and say that there are now a few really good eateries. Also, even as a kid, you could be out on your bike and within 10 minutes you're into some glorious countryside. If you have a car, you're spoilt for choice.

are there any nice women around then?

In my experience of 3 months up there, yes. I think they're mostly employed as dolled up PA's to the oil barons, but there's loads around 🙂

I was born In Aberdeen but grew up In Elgin . i used to go there to watch the Dons , go to gigs, shopping or to clubs / raves etc. I have to say I found the people quite strange and maybe a bit aloof to outsiders . Its going to be expensive due to the oil but you have some great scenery to ride around In.

If you dont believe me ask [url= http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=telly+savalas+aberdeen&aq=0 ]TELLY.[/url]

Bruneep YGM

Kit YGM

I grew up near Aberdeen (Westhill) and moved to Edinburgh for university then adulthood. I still go back fairly regularly to visit my parents and friends.

The granite means it's quite a nice looking city when it's bright but it is horrendously, uniformly grey when it's dank. On the other hand, while it's a cold place it isn't that wet compared to anything on the west coast.

I like the fact that the city isn't big and when you get to its edge it just stops. There are no great tracts of sprawl like you'll find in many southern cities - the countryside is just there. The countryside is nice, too and if you like castles or stone circles then you'll be in heaven. 🙂

I'm not enough of a party animal to be able to comment about the quality of the pubs and clubs but when I've visited friends recently we've generally managed to find decent places to eat. I've never experienced any trouble in the city centre either but then as I said I'm a well-behaved type.

Had a quick meeting up there a couple of weeks ago - not something I'd want to do again but unfortunatly I have too

the coast road seemed nice though 🙂

How long from Aberdeen to Glentress? or Golspie? or The Black Isle?

i live 10 miles west of aberdeen. brilliant mountain biking within half an hours ride or 8 minutes drive from my house.

and after work, you hardly ever see a soul.........[private joke, sort of]....

3 hours to GT
3 hours to Golspie

Bennachie is just as fun as Golspie and only 40mins or thereabouts from Aberdeen 🙂

I knew you were up that way Simon, rode with you at GT winter 2007

+1 for Bennachie. I am sitting here looking at it right now.
Where's ma bike?

joebones - are you referring to me ?

As a native Aberdonian I find it quite sad the way things have gone up there and when I go back to visit my folks I wouldn't dream of going into the city at night.

Still lots of good people, particularly in the outlying villages but there is a mindset of flaunting wealth and brashness which seems to have engulfed traditional values. It appears that you are no-one unless you have the full compliment of trophy wife, house from Dallas (the old tv series), a gold Rolex and the obligitory huge 4x4 with a personal reg.

I found it quite upsetting that those described above seem to have taken over my old golf club and turned it into a haven for arrogant turds to flaunt how much money they have.

That said, there are still lovely places to live and visit, particularly up Deeside towards Banchory, Aboyne and Ballater and loads of places 20 minutes out of Aberdeen centre if you want proper outdoorsey type stuff.

the lecht rocks, yes

Any other opinions on Aberdeen then?

Can someone tell me what is the best part to live in (for rent)? Dont want to have chavs or neighbours etc but dont have a load of money to spend

You'll have to go a few miles out if you don't want any neighbours 🙂

Can someone tell me what is the best part to live in (for rent)? Dont want to have chavs or neighbours etc but dont have a load of money to spend

A bit more info required.

What kind of place and size are you after?

House
Flat
Caravan
Cardboard box
In the city centre, suburbs or are you willing to commute?
Where are you to be working?

and
Budget?

How do you plan on getting round the city too? car, bike public transport?

i lived in aberdeen from the age of 6 till i left school and then for a year in 2005 and still go back regularly. in fact i was up there for new year. the rest of the time i have spent in glasgow.

going out in aberdeen is fine. there is one street you want to go to which is belmont street. there are also plenty of nice places to eat. new years was weirdly quiet, it was like a ghost town, but i ve never seen it like that before. it actually added to the weird atmosphere and made for a cracking night in a basement 60s night.

there used to be an air of small town violence in aberdeen of a night, but i dont notice that anymore. if you are used to big city nights then it might seem a bit provincial.

yeh it can look grey in the wet. growing up there i never noticed it but when i go back it is quite obvious. what you have to remember is that because it is on the east coast you get a much higher percentage of crisp dry winter days where the granite sparkles and is really quite nice.

the people - i have found them to be overwhelmingly friendly, funny and decent, and i have a fairly strong english accent which can turn a small percentage of scots against you. there is a particular type of humour, if you dont get it then you might mistake it for rudeness. its a bit like dealing with eastern europeans!

there is a lot of biking very very close by. you can cycle into lovely countryside from the city centre. there is amazing sea cliff climbing. there are good bike shops and good outdoor shops.

i would recommend you try it. you might like it. places like aberdeen and dundee get a lot of stick from people from central scotland who seem to think they have the monopoly on culture and that glasgow is the only city in the world. its just not true.

Working on one of the industrial estates on the south

I have a car

I need a room or small flat with room for a bike and a few belongings, Bruneep, is it cheaper to live out of town and commute?

joebones - who are you then ?

happy to guide you around the trails up here

Pete, I was on a red Cotic Soul at the time from NI

ah - yes !

The nice areas of town to look at are Ferryhill, Ruthrieston, West End, Rosemount. A one bed in these parts of town will be £550+/month.

Try looking on the websites like myroommate etc, my girlfriend found quite a few good places to stay that way. I lived in a 3 bed house in Ferryhill, just by duthy park for 2.5 years and was paying £350/month so flat/house sharing is cheeper if you don't mind living with others.

Mountains on one side and sea on the other - the bit in the middle where the people are I can take or leave, but it passes quickly.

Best and worst thing about Aberdeen is it's size. It's a city, but a small one. As long as you don't expect everything you get in bigger cities and tailor your expectations everything is pretty much as you would expect. A bit of independence will help and if your happy to do your own thing much of the time then you need never get bored - even in the shite of winter there is fun to be had somewhere.

The town centre is no rougher than anywhere else but there are idiots as with everywhere else, they just need to be avoided… which really depends on who you are out with… which depends on which type of crowd you fall in with… which depends probably on where and with whom you end up working and socialising. If your young there is the student and younger person scene centred around Belmont Street, and if your older there is the Albyn where the divorcees go for a hook-up (allegedly).

The money divide has been mentioned a few times above, and yes there is a large gap between those with and those without. Culture up here is very much to flaunt with cars, clothes and watches etc - but surely that crap only bothers those who are sad enough to think it important? Due to the oil industry there is a high percentage of professionals of many nationalities in the city and these folks make the rental of flats and houses in the desirable "west end" of Aberdeen very expensive, as do the Students with moneyed parents who hoover them up as well… but there are cheaper places to stay, and only a small few that have to be avoided.

Industrial estate south of Aberdeen is probably Altens - it's an industrial estate and there really is not much else to say about it. Transport can be a bit patchy and although there are buses they can be a bit poor so most folk use cars and some hardy fools cycle. Rush hour is a bitch but it's short and the rest of the day travel is fine (and nothing compared to most cities).

I think the positives will likely outweigh the negatives and I think it's a great place to live, and most importantly a fantastic place to play.

People wise you will find most are great, and those that aren’t can be avoided. I think the people that have problems are probably them that cause it... as long as your not a cock nobody will treat you like one.

I am just back from one of my favourite rides up Bennachie. I am absolutely buzzing. The sun was out for most of the ride, the trails were dry and the few walkers I met smiled and said hello.

Not many places in the country offer this.

Off to drink beer in town in some dive with a load of chav's 😉

stabilizers, what is your e-mail?

I can only echo what a lot of people have said. If you like the outdoors, then it's great. If you like museums/theatre, then it's mediocre. The live music scene is good for small bands but big bands do come up occasionally. The pubs are mostly bars and there are nice places and awful places to go out like there are in any city.

In terms of renting, it is very expensive - my 2-bed flat is £825/month in the centre. Most people I know live in Ferryhill or Rosemount.

Joe,
YGM

Got it thanks