Preferrences to live in Scotland

I have been looking at places in Scotland for a place to live (pure fantasy at this point, but hey a man can dream) so I'm looking at Inverness and Perth. Inverness looks the most appealing to me at this point. Southern Scotland looks like there is too much conjestion (people).
It is very difficult for people to advise because there are "different strokes for different folks". I know most of you live were you are because of employment or family ties.
I would like you to feed my fantasy with your input.
I just got a call from DW downstairs that my "mush" was ready. Got to run!
What is the difference between mush and porridge. Is there any?

yeh Scotland has something for everyone I think - I like where I am, 8 miles from Glasgow because I can be downtown in 20mins by car, to the beach in 20mins, or to the countryside in 10mins...it's pretty handy Inverness is amazing and Perth is nice too, Perth felt a bit more small-town to me than Inverness but I've not lived in either so maybe someone else could give a better idea. I've never heard of 'mush' before, my mates always call it porridge though I still say oatmeal lol...it might be the same though? Good luck on finding a place to live, it's an awesome country!

Perthshire is really beautiful, but Perth itself I'm not so keen on.

How about Oban? It's probably my favourite place in Scotland besides Edinburgh.

Thanks for the input. Keep them coming
Oban sounds like its in the Middle East. I will look it up and I'm sure its West Scotland but I don't know if its and Island.

Jim, what kind of things would you consider for your home? I mean, what kind of place do you want to live? What kind of amenities? Etc?

Glad you asked.
I "think" I want access to public transport. When I look at property I look to see if I could walk to the train station and if it is around a mile that sounds OK.
I go all over the place in my search because sometimes I like the idea of living in the country with the related peace and quiet. City or country have their pluses and minuses. I don't know how well you know Inverness but there is an area call Black something or other that looks good and they do have a train out there about 4 times a day.
Decisions:
New place or old place.
Quaint or modern.
Town or country.
Rent or buy.
Apartment or garden.
Car or no car.

Do you know if you can rent furniture and is it a common practice?

Having an apartment doesn't always mean no garden.  Our flat has a back door that leads to our garden.  We do share with the flat upstairs, but its still a garden.

Having an apartment doesn't always mean no garden.  Our flat has a back door that leads to our garden.  We do share with the flat upstairs, but its still a garden.

That's very true. I looked at several flats that had their own garden areas.

Jim, its called the Black Isle and its beautiful- very rural. Though property is very expensive there!

Inverness, well its a little city, but still a city. Though you do run into everyone you know, all the time.  Public transport is OK here, buses, taxis, trains run to Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen, etc.  I found it difficult to live without a car here, but many people do live just fine without cars here. 

You can drive 10 minutes from city centre and you're in the middle of nowhere. 
Hope you like cold weather if you want to live this far north!

You can hire white goods (Fridge, freezer, washing machine) but it is unusual and difficult to rent other furniture, as it is often so cheap and so many shops do interest free credit (what we used to call HP or 'never never').


Vicky

If I was going to live in the Inverness area aagin, I'd choose Dingwall, pretty little town. Elgin is also lovely.

The only thing I know about Elgin is I think they had a RAF base there and it closed.
I will check out those places.

Dingwall is ok to look at but it's a complete hole to live in.  I had the misfortune of growing up there and the people are unbearable.  It's the most miserable place in the world unless your idea of fun is getting drunk every single night and starting a fight with the Pharmacist at Boots whilst waiting for your methadone.

Thanks Hats. Back to the drawing boards...

Dingwall is ok to look at but it's a complete hole to live in.  I had the misfortune of growing up there and the people are unbearable.  It's the most miserable place in the world unless your idea of fun is getting drunk every single night and starting a fight with the Pharmacist at Boots whilst waiting for your methadone.

Ive head bad things about Dingwall too, from an East Lothian girl who moved there when she married her ex, who was from Dingwall.  She said it was a pit, and the people were horrible and treated her very badly because she wasn't from there, and married one of 'their' lads.   She high-tailed it back to Edinburgh after what she calls the worst year of her life.

Phatbeetle,
Re: Amenites
One thing I always look for in the photos is does it have a fireplace? I'm sure that people don't always like them but they look so cosy and I have happy memories of coming home from work and out of the rain when I was about 16 and sitting in front of the fire and listening to Frankie Lane and Johnnie Ray on vinyl. Them were the days!