Billy Connolly was jokes:
When I was 12, we went from Glasgow to Aberdeen on a school trip. It was called ‘fresh air fortnight.’
In this article, we’ll discuss everything you need to know about living in Aberdeen, including the pros and cons and everything in between.
What is the quality of life in Aberdeen?
Aberdeen offers a relatively good quality of life. It has been recognised as one of the best cities in Scotland to live and work in.
Defining quality of life
Nowadays, housing access and affordability are high on most people’s quality of life priority lists.
This is where Aberdeen shines. The city has also received recognition for being one of the cheapest places in the UK to buy a home.
In fact, at the time of writing, the average price of property hovers around £185,000.
This is still relatively affordable considering how high property prices have risen elsewhere in the country.
Comparing Aberdeen to nearby cities
Another critical factor is the cost of living in Aberdeen vs cities like Glasgow or Edinburgh.
Housing costs are cheaper in Aberdeen than in other popular cities in Scotland. This applies to buying and renting a property.
Cost of living
Additional expenses, such as groceries, are generally cheaper in Aberdeen.
Other significant cities experience higher markups due to higher demand; however, Aberdeen has a population size of less than 200,000 and has less footfall resulting from tourists.
Transport
Besides affordability, access to transport is another important factor for many. The city is well connected by road, rail, and even air through the city’s airport.
This will set any fears of being isolated to bed as Aberdeen provides fantastic transport options.
Environment
Aberdeen also has plenty of green spaces, beaches, and scenic views. This is a plus when it comes to quality of life.
However, the weather and general greyness of the city (hence the name Granite City) can be gloomy and isn’t for everyone.
Employment opportunities
Overall, Aberdeen lacks in variety of employment opportunities.
Aberdeen has always been renowned for its oil and gas sector, which initially drew many people to the city.
Unfortunately, there isn’t much on offer for those working in other sectors and industries.
Community spirit
For those who may be looking for fewer career moves and instead access to beautiful hills, beaches, and even castles, Aberdeen is for you.
The city has a smaller population size than others, which results in a more friendly, sociable environment.
Where not to live in Aberdeen?
Although Aberdeen has less crime than many other cities, this doesn’t mean it is entirely crime-free.
As with any other city, crime is usually centred in certain areas.
The following areas are where recent reports have shown the most amount of crime:
- Ashgrove
- Torry East
- Midstocket
- Cove North
Crime statistics for Aberdeen
In fact, according to last year’s data, Aberdeen had 651 crimes recorded per 10,000 population.
The average for Scotland as a whole was 528 per 10,000.
This means Aberdeen has the third highest crime rate in Scotland.
Why do people move to Aberdeen?
People who move to Aberdeen are drawn by its scenic beauty, which provides opportunities to live somewhere quieter with an active lifestyle.
Many professionals are also drawn to the opportunities from the oil and gas sector and, more recently, the renewable energy field.
Beyond this, Aberdeen is also home to a student population who study at the local University of Aberdeen, which results in a constant stream of students each year.
With all of that considered, here are the pros and cons of living in Aberdeen:
Aberdeen pros:
Affordable housing
Firstly, it’s much more affordable to buy a house in Aberdeen than many other towns and cities in the UK.
Many may find it unusual that a home in a city can be so affordable. However, this is a definite positive aspect of living in Aberdeen.
Job opportunities
Living in Aberdeen is a no-brainer if you’re in the energy field.
Many of the largest companies in the sector operate in the city, so finding a job and progressing shouldn’t be too difficult. If you
City perks but more peaceful
Many assume cities are a non-stop of “city life”. Aberdeen is quite the opposite.
It can be as busy or as relaxed as you’d like.
Plenty of amenities are associated with other larger cities; however, it also provides access to beaches and other outdoor activities.
Aberdeen Cons:
Limited job opportunities
Yes, we’ve also listed this as a con, but for good reason. Aberdeen may provide opportunities in the energy industry.
Still, it can be difficult for others to get the same opportunities.
This may limit some people’s hopes and aspirations, especially if they seek jobs at larger corporate companies.
The winter months
Aberdeen’s winter is cold, rainy, windy and snowy!
The average winter temperature is 0 °C (32 °F). And the sun sets at 3:30 PM.
Difficult to move
Because of this, selling a property in Aberdeen can be difficult. It takes a lot of time to find a buyer.
In fact, at the time of writing, the average time a property is on the market is 467 days. That is a decrease from the previous year!
So, if you’re looking to move to another property, either in Aberdeen or elsewhere, you may struggle.
For those who may be looking for fewer career moves and instead access to beautiful hills, beaches, and even Castle Aberdeen, it would be for you.
The city has a smaller population size than others, which results in a more friendly, sociable environment
Aberdeen is a unique city with a charm that is hard to find elsewhere. It may not be suitable for everybody, but for those who enjoy smaller cities, Aberdeen is definitely for you.
We Buy Any Home’s cash buying services
If you want to move quickly to Aberdeen or elsewhere, you can use the service of cash house buyers like us to help sell your property.
As cash buyers, we are not held up by waiting for lender approval. We pay for your property outright with our funds, which enables us to complete sales in as little as seven days.
