Should I move to Coldstream?

That’s it really. What’s it like to live in that area?

I hear you’re always going to be on your guard there

Its very very very very in the middle of nowhere.

You can jump forward over the Tweed  into England then back to safety in the evening

If you currently live in Birmingham, then yes.

If you currently live in Peebles, then no.

Can we visit for the weekend?

Kelso is not too far along the road

Its a nice looking town but its very far from anywhere.  Happy to live in a small town with all its issues ie everyone knowing your business and being an outsider?  Nice part of the world as well.

🙂

I’m currently in north Bucks.

we’re definitely moving, but where to is still under discussion. We’ve seen a good place in Coldstream that we like, but I’ve only ever driven through, not stopped.

We like the area – Berwick-Upon-Tweed and Alnwick – but haven’t found anything suitable in those places.

Why not. Lovely area, not far from the coast and some biggish hills. As for distance, there’s Kelso, maybe 10 miles. Berwick just abot further, and it isnt south east miles, theres no traffic, so 10 miles takes 15 minutes in a car.When we first moved to D&G, our Neighbour worked 6 miles away, I asked how long it took -‘usually less than 10 minutes’. When I lived in Leicester, 6 miles would take 45 mins in the morning.

A very unappealing town, nothing much to it and just far away from anything.

I live in the Borders but probably wouldn’t live in Coldstream, it’s kind of the worst of all worlds. Still quite a distance from the coast, a long drive from the hills, not a lot there but not fabulously remote. You’ll spend a lot of time driving.

but, and this is the big but. I’m from Buckinghamshire and I would choose Coldstream x10000 over rather than return to Bucks. It might not be the best part of the Borders but it is infinitely better than the over priced, over populated, self absorbed Home Counties.

Also, great road riding

I’m in the borders and Coldstream would get a body swerve. Kelso yes Coldstream no.

It always seems a bit too gammony. It’s reasonably nice and much better for you than being in a conurbation down south and if i were moving up then maybe, probably because it’s better.

It always seems a bit too gammony.

Have you spent much time in Buckinghamshire?

No but have spent a few years in Hampshire.

But born in Edinburgh and dragged up across Southern Scotland.

Thanks people, this is all helpful.

Kelso would be my preference, but we haven’t seen any houses in our range. We’ve found an absolute beauty in Coldstream, but have similar feelings to many here.

Road cyclin* is good eh? That helps.

Yep, great road cycling. Loads of B roads heading over to coast and into East Lothian or Northumberland. A bit of undulation but no monster climbs, lots of cafes to ride out to.

My dad lives in Berwick so I spend a bit of time up there.

Coldstream doesn’t have a lot there so you will get very familiar with the A698 and the fact that you need to allow a minimum of 20 minutes in the car to go anywhere. It’s a pretty dull stretch of road.

Load of roads to ride – yes. But sharing them with the typical Northumberland countryside driver is not something I would choose to do.

Yes, but only if you promise to open a decent cafe. It’s crying out for one being on one of the major cross-border routes, but somehow lacks one.

But sharing them with the typical Northumberland countryside driver is not something I would choose to do.

Its all relative though isn’t it? The OP lives in Buckinghamshire just now!

A ride out from Coldstream over to Holy Island for coffee at Pilgrims would be a truly grand day out.

Yes, but only if you promise to open a decent cafe. It’s crying out for one being on one of the major cross-border routes, but somehow lacks one.

The Hirsel has a decent café

https://www.hirselhomestead.co.uk/eat

I guess if you are moving from Buckinghamshire then you will have a decent budget?

Is this the property?

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/149127668?utm_campaign=property-details&utm_content=buying&utm_medium=sharing&utm_source=copytoclipboard#/&channel=RES_BUY

If it is, it could go well over the asking price.

Absolutely stunning mind.

I saw that house and yes it is gorgeous…although a bit close to a fairly decent sized road for me.

Crikey, that garden view isn’t too shabby is it?

Come on OP, tell us your budget and let us find you a house.

^^ Great house. But petrol station opposite and having your garage 50yds away would be a deal breaker for me. 🙂

Kelso would be my preference, but we haven’t seen any houses in our range. We’ve found an absolute beauty in Coldstream, but have similar feelings to many here.

If you want to live in X, you’ll regret buying in Y…

Either are fine if you like cycling on empty roads and the Cheviots are accessible from both if you like XC riding.

We live near Melrose, but came up from Buckinghamshire (Aylesbury).

I like where we are, can road cycle, XC or enduro all from the house (did +25m & 3500ft after work yesterday, rode over to Ladhope and back via the pub & Eildons)

Yep, that’s the one.

the budget is about £450000

others in my family are up there looking at the moment. Apparently we have to put an offer in today at noon.
they are saying much the same as people here – the house is fab, the town is ok.

If thats your budget then you will have plenty of choice in the borders.  Take your time and get it right.

https://espc.com/properties?ps=50&radiuses=55.64361657175885,-3.2091320160480534,8.047,Kingsmuir%2C%20Peebles;55.609522264367804,-3.044382280396836,8.047,Traquair;55.58160485668648,-2.863157571180495,8.047,Fairnilee;55.44950411185653,-2.8000035058475308,8.047,Stirches%20House%2C%20Hawick;55.54590370142242,-2.6352537701963334,8.047,Wellrig&minprice=250000&maxprice=450000&ptype=house

Have you thought about a 6 month let in the area to see if you really enjoy living there?

A significant expense but may be money well spent.

I live on the Northumberland coast but those close border areas have their own unique culture.

Tenancies in Scotland a normally a minimum of a years contract.

I rented a flat in Bridge of Weir on a 6 month lease, that was 20 years ago mind!

Tenancies in Scotland a normally a minimum of a years contract.

This.

Much as I like the borders, the expanse and beautiful coastal areas, it is a long way from the channel tunnel and a long way from the Highlands.

Also I have been looking at rentals in the borders and they seem to be pretty rare.

If it’s anything like the Highlands, rentals are ridiculously limited and ridiculously expensive.

Tenancies in Scotland a normally a minimum of a years contract.

But under the old short assured tenancy, a tenant could walk away at any point with 4 weeks notice. Has this changed? When I rented during a house build, we had to sign a 12 month lease but only stayed for 6 months without issue.

No, it’s still 28 days notice.

https://scotland.shelter.org.uk/housing_advice/tenants_rights/private_residential_tenancy

“But under the old short assured tenancy, a tenant could walk away at any point with 4 weeks notice. Has this changed? When I rented during a house build, we had to sign a 12 month lease but only stayed for 6 months without issue.”

No, its just the same, 6 months or 12 months (no 12 month minimum). The Tenant can leave after a month if required. It’s not good for the Landlord if they have continual turnover, but good for the Tenant to agree a 12 month tenancy when first renting, most English ones are 6 months, then renew.

Having driven past that very house a few times 4 weeks ago the main road would be a major bugbear for me. Lovely property though.

I think I had a not-great-fish supper last time I was passing through Coldsream.

Crikey, that garden view isn’t too shabby is it?

You’d have to love gardening! Amazing view definitely.