With the largest divide of rich and poor in the EU, (so I’m told) Aberdeen has a lot of hot spots for CHAVS. There are some amagingly nice (pretentious) places in a few confined areas that are desired by the majority, but the true CHAV test is when you get inverted snobbery, when the CHAVS never even want to use their free bus pass to pass through the nice areas to get to some of the most beautiful countryside in Scotland. If you run into a CHAV (or a BAM as they say in the ‘deen) and say you’re from any village on North Deeside Road (Milltimber, Cults, Craigiebuckler) you’re screwed. Anywhere in the west end of the city, and you’re screwed. Anywhere other than the places listed, and you’re screwed.
If you’re moving into Aberdeen and have heard a lot of good reviews, keep those opinions by refraining to live in the following districts:
Torry
(known as a regeneration area to the city council and estate agents) which also houses a prison which is almost in the centre of the enclave. 20% of Torry has reasonable looking granite tenement housing, and a few granite houses, mostly occupied by smack heads and foreigners moving into Aberdeen as students who can’t afford anywhere else, not even the student flats. The remaining 80% consists of 3 storey flats erected circa 1970 with a high density feel, like its residents. Traditional family units are rarer than planned teenage pregnancies, with the average IQ of the expectant teenager lower than that of the smack and crack filled 20 something soon to be grandmother who only works nights. The small but hard working percentage of its working residents have employment at United Fish Products that bellows out its noxious stink 6 days a week over the whole of the district. There is also a recycling centre, and a land fill site. Other employment (not declared to the benefits agency) includes dog breeding, (*97% of all bull mastiffs in Scotland are bred in Torry), drug dealing (Class A only), and soliciting. The area is serviced by 2 primary schools, Walker Road and Tullos, with one secondary school, Torry Academy. It is expected that each year one of the more established teachers will teach a grandchild of a former pupil. Usual dress code for all ages (female) is a tracksuit, chupa chups as hair accessories, greased back hair. Not quite as affluent as stereotypical English CHAVS due to serious drug problems. Male attire is slightly better even though has the same drug problem; jewellery, signet rings, facial tattoos. Slightly better attire due to services rendered as a PIMP. Bad heroin damaged teeth.
Typical Torridian response to my review: “Hey min fit ya sayin aboot Torry ya’ll feckin slash ya, ya c**t.”
Northfield
Only driven through this area once, so not much of a thorough review. Prams walking in front of me when I was in the car, dirty looks because I could afford to drive a car, and a smell lingering in the air similar to that of stale BO, garbage cans and pavement pizza. Looks as bad as Torry. Mastrick has its problems too, which is in spitting distance of Northfield, but doesn’t quite have the same reputation.
Woodside / Tillydrone / Seaton
To the west of the oldest medical school in Scotland, Woodside has the highest percentage of **unsuccessful drug rehabilitation attempts in the UK. Known for its easy accessiblity of heroin, it is only seen by most Aberdonians on their way to work when trying to get to Dyce. Low quality, high impact housing, it is a complete eyesore. Tillydrone: is characterised by the quantity of projects that are in operation in the area, from youth involvement to literacy, all of which are under utilised by the people who it is provided for. Full of high risers, plus some of the worst 3 and 4 storey flats in Aberdeen, even worse than Torry in places. Some of the residents are genuine students who attend the Uni of Aberdeen, so is slightly redeemed because of this. Seaton: Famous for its park, and the quantity of sexual assaults within it, the Seaton resident is characteristic of the typical Aberdeen CHAV. If a Seatonite tells you that life owes them a living, don’t argue with them - they are likely to stab you with a dirty needle.
Above is a listing of the worst places in Aberdeen. Places on the outskirts of these districts are also likely to be crap even though they are not mentioned.
* = Almost accurate. ** = Possibly true.
I’m from the south of England and currently live in northfield, through choice. I could afford to live anywhere in aberdeen should i so desire. My neighbours are friendly, I don’t consider it rough at all. The local shops could do with a facelift, that’s about it. There’s a few ‘chavs’ as you call them knocking about, but i haven’t once had any grief from anyone and i’m not afraid to look folk in the eye. Trouble finds trouble. I suspect the original author has led a sheltered life, and is scared of people he considers to be less fortunate than him/her.
I lived in Kincorth for 7 years and had hardly any trouble there, occasionally the odd fight or chavs hanging outside local shops, but nothing too serious. I have recently moved to Northfield (not out of choice believe me) and I have to say it is much worse here than it was in Kincorth. Everytime I walk out of my house I’ll walk about 5 minutes and I’ll see a group of about 10-15 chavs hanging about shops, skatepark, or even bus stops. Northfield is just disgusting to be honest, I’ve actually seen a person raking through a wheely bin on my way to the shop. I’ve not had much chance to socialise with much people in northfield and I don’t really think I’m going to. If you are thinking of moving into Aberdeen, do not move to Northfield.
I’ve lived up here in Aberdeen for about 8yrs and live in Ferryhill – Thankfully quiet. Cos most of Aberdeen and especially the aberdonians are so awful and ignorant that they wouldn’t even realise it, as can be seen in the posts here. People who have moved here for business reasons such as myself soon learn to have as little to do with the locals as possible. Even the luckier Aberdonians, who consider themselves great for being able to move out to a Stewart Milne kithouse in Portlethen, Westhill whatever – designed to collapse before the mortgage is even paid have the same inane grim expression. Aberdeen is a great place to make money but have as little contact with the ‘locals’ as possible because they’re exactly what you’d expect from a town on the edge of nowhere, with nothing going for it whatsoever apart from 1 single boom business which for the most part passes them by.
I’m sorry mate, but youve clearly never been to aberdeen ! We can actually walk out into town without any problems. Im in town every other day and it’s perfectly safe. I would imagine that your a recluse who sits in his house all day with nothing to do but criticise placeshe’s never been to. Notice where all the real crime is. Notice where all the accidents seem to occur. Well it isnt here thats for sure. This is a good city, whether you want to believe it or not. I don’t even want to guess where your from. But let’s be honest here… EVERY city has their problems… I can’t remember the last time anyone was attacked by ‘ moronic youths’ or rundown by some ‘idiotic boy racer’. All your comments show you are going on perception. You’ve never seen it for yourself. I guarantee if you came here you would see what a great place this is to stay. Believing isn’t seeing, seeing is believing… When you see what its like for yourself, then let us know what you think. But until then.. No one gives a rats ass about what you think!
Ive lived on Crown street and King street and not once did I ever get any bother. From anyone. Aberdeen is a good place to live for the most part, but like EVERY city it has its faults. Show me a city, anywhere, where there are absolutely no downfalls or negatives and il eat Anon’s wanking sock. The people of Aberdeen do not suffer fools gladly and if you turn your nose up you probably will get told.
Aberdeen has the most pathetic, minging and shameless scum bag locals ive ever met in my life. only decent folk are foreigners or far from aberdeen.
Never intend on visiting if you are and theres nothing to do, same crap clubs filled with same crap people, crap football team and no decent bands or musicians,
avoid like the plague or become part of it.
nicest things i could say and could say a lot worse.
oh yeh junkies the most vile creatures ever. think gollum replacing the ring with smack
Are welve eye been ere in thee toon centre for manny a yeer now so eye ave see?Ootside Boots playin and a stummin on me Mr Bowjangles masheen,erning a we crust buskin like aye?Never bean to skool or nufin see?butt that dont stoop me a playin to memmburks of thee publick see?Thee all no Jolly Roger the do see?whem Im a stummin on me favverite cat gut Bowjangles masheen,butter than thee noisey bagpipps,and havvin to blow em all time,Plus you dont git thee mash coom out off bagpipps like you do on thee Mr Bowjangles.A coople of hot greasers sausages from thee Highlands shot fressh that mornin on the misty more.A creepin throw the heather with thee shoot gun and blam blam both barrrels and doon com two fine bangers to ad to thee mash,ha harr you going hes a willy old dog is Jolly Roger aint thee now aint thee?coom on ya rascal admit it eyes a willy old raskal aint he ay aint eye?by golly bum buckets ye maake me larf thee do you realy do……………aha ha haaaaaaaarrrhhhhhhhh,so dont the forget when thee ears thee music drifting on a foggy morn,its old Jolly Roger an his Bojangles machine.Surrounde buy emptee tins of Tennants stooper and mash,so droop a few coins in the e hat,so I cann feed me and me dancin monkey Ned dressed in is taran to hat and matchin kilt,oh how I luv thee Ned you little minkey that yoo are,god bless Im and all woo sails in her aye?
AM A GOALKEEPER COACH!
Ive was born and bred here,I have no head,yes no HEAD but that doesnt been Im Chav scum,Im a worker and a grafter,having no head hasnt held me back.It makes me so angry when I hear people with heads lie in bed all day,only getting up when its Giro day or sickness benifit day.I dont claim sicknes benifit,even thow I have no head,I was born with two eyes,one on each elbow,my mouth is just up from my annus,(ok ok make the joke everyone says,your talking out of your arse,ha ha very funny,you wouldnt find it so funny if after a night on the piss you woke up with a mouthfull of shit covered bog roll)Why am I even on this website?I have no f**king head,I love hats,Id like to be a hat desighner,but who would buy a hat from someone who has no head?f**k you big boy,Id love to wear a kilt,but ohhhhh f**k you,you dont no your arse from your elbow…………mother fuc…………..
jim is that really you because some of us remember you better as a goalkeeping legend . It is sad how your old mate mcgee gave you the sack . I know your back now but your only filling in time
because this club is in decline and will remain so for the foreseable
future ,no investment,vision or ambition and second class footballers. Good luck tonight because with these losers you will need. Thanks for the memories and great euro nights of the
80s Ex-pat jim
I’m not sure what to believe about the reports here. I was born and bred in Torry and we are the nicest, most hard working people you could meet. Torry was a fishing village with a great heritage. Yes there are some scabby houses but Torry people are honest and would always look after each other. Walker Road, Menzies Road, Victoria Road are now full of Polish and druggies, that is not the Torry of my childhood.
I remember a nicer place and Nikki is living in Torry, it is not the hellhole you make it out to be.
Logie was the worst place to live but even now it looks nicer. Don’t diss Aberdeen until you know it, we are a good bunch of people, especially us Torry Quines
@Torry Quine Why do you even mention “Polish and druggies” in one verse? you cheeky Torry bum? Aberdeen is one of the grimmest, saddest, and miserable places I’ve ever seen. Full of deplorable faces, who never ever smile. Paved with dog shit and chewing gum, second layer in places. Most of the city looks like a postindustrial Russian ghost town. On top of it shitty road system, where nearly every day someone gets killed/injured in road accidents, with traffic jams at mornings, evenings, afternoons, Sundays, weekends, workdays, holidays and Biblical final days, with little spells at the middle of the night. All above is especially appealing when you consider that majority rich oil companies have offices, bases or workshops here. Apparently, all that oil wealth doesn’t benefit the city whatsoever. For all, who MUST move to Aberdeen, because of your work, avoid it at all costs, if it is not an option stay as close as possible to your office to avoid interfering with locals and spending most of the day stuck in traffic jams…
Wilk811, you my friend are an arse hole !! The majority of people who live here are very nice and work hard for what they have. You are obviously basing your opinion on perception. You have no clue what this city is like. If Aberdeen is such a shit hole why do we have a multi-millionaire building a golf course here? You obviously come from a very snobby background. You clearly have nothing better to do than take this piss out people’s homes. If your not happy with Aberdeen then get to f**k and don’t come back. We are happy. We don’t give a shit if your not. It’s your loss. yes the traffic and roads may be bad, but can you tell me a city that has no traffic and amazing roads? I don’t think so. Look at the likes of London. Traffic everywhere. I would like you to tell me where you got the information about the fact that someone dies or gets injured on our roads each day. Because that’s a load of shite.You go on about chewing gum, I bet if you walked out from your posh mansion you would see chewing gum everywhere. Get off you high horse mate. Your a joke.
your an idiot if you think Aberdonians are nice or that Aberdeen is okay . It is a place where you work but unable to go out in town
in the weekends because of large groups of drunken moronic youths hell bent in causing
trouble or maybe some idiotic boyracer knocking you down on a crossing. Are you
saying these are acceptable as well
Torry is possibly one of the best places I have ever lived in Aberdeen. I lived on King street (Alcoholics and Junkies), Sunnyside rd. (General Mentalists and Vandals), Spital (Junkie central being it is not far from Froghall) Loanhead Terrace (Rosemount dontcha know! – Right next to friggin Cornhill!!!). Torry is an awesome Place, If you are looking for trouble you will find it. But only Dicks look for trouble. Message being: If you are a dick, Don’t come to Torry.
I got to say that actually none of these areas are bad really, its quite quiet infact I live in seaton. I walk through tillydrone at night seaton park etc, and nothing quiet as a mouse. Then again coming from London i doubt anything round here would be shocking but even so
i cum fae torry blud
scotland is a shit hole full of smack heads jaking up and people drinking bucksfast cheap shitty wine whatever it is.its full of tramps dole dosers them scrufy up their. Aint nothing good about scotland. they eat haggis thats disgusting lol.blow the place up best thing for it. Not a good quality of life in scotland Shithole
i’m assuming your from england!!! To be honest i hate living in aberdeen as everyone knows everyone and because I live in an upper class area we are frequantly getting gangs of youths into our area causing trouble. But what your forgetting the the futher south of the scottish border the chavier it gets. The only place which seems to be nice is england is the lovely country villages and london town( the nicer areas such as nottinghill) Just to let you know if you blew up scotland, england would suffer big time as scotland takes in the most money out of wales, ireland and ENGLAND! I BET YOUR A SILLY LITTLE BOY WHO HAS NOTHING BETTER TO DO WITH HIS LIFE THAN TRANSFER ALL YOUR HATE ON A COUNTRY YOU KNOW NOTHING ABOUT! Can I ask you is all this hate because your mum left you and your dad abused you when your a kid?
You are clearly a very ignorant person. Maybe take a long hard look at yourself before writing off one of the most beautiful and remote countries in the world.
The differnce between the torry/woodside areas and the more high class areas in aberdeen is that we are the always in the paper when things go wrong. The same stuff happens in the more so called posh areas but its never published. Me, as a pure bread aberdoin am proud of where i come from and would trust someone more from torry than from rubislaw to have my back cause we stick together. A being a “chav” is a very comfortable way to live. Some people is these areas are very hard working. And just cause we stay in these areas doesnt mean we are all drug takers. Just like any area aberdeen does have its bad bits but i would feel safer walking through torry at night than i would kingswells. Posh schools have a higher number of pregnant girls, they just have the money to send them away. I will stand up for my community any time. There is a great feeling of community spirt, and we look out for each other and our kids. try living in our area Anon and u would see its the best place to live
Shame on you for writing something like this, this website and the term chav is starting to sound dated, a word from last decade under labour. The middle class will soon know what it is to be poor, the middle class will soon see they all came from the working class and achieved a false sense of wealth in the boom, wealth based on credit. Those of you in the wool coats and boots with the matching bags and styles of fashion based on pure sexism (return of corsets, ballets pumps and knits), which stand by and mock these modern working class women you call chav girls who wear clothes that are fit to live in, who are not trapped with credit card debt to pay for the trap of high fashion, you will fall from wealth and be unable to adapt to live with less.
History will always remember the shamfull young middle class women who for a time made it in the world and had many opportunitys, but mocked the poor and threw there money away on fashions that made them wealth status objects for middle class men, once again just like the rich women of victorian times.
Well said Lindsey!
Quite accurate on the places covered, but a bit of a traditional choice of locations (everyone jokes about Torry all the time). Why ommit the city centre? George Street is awful, and there’s an entire estate East of the Union Street end of King Street for homeless drug addicts who are patients of the nearby rehab centre. There’s also Crown Street, which has a homeless shelter, the 3 or 4 floor jobcentre, and the centre for those on long term JSA courses.
Also, I’m not sure how popular it is any more, but do people still go ‘boully bashing’ down at the beach boulevard? (That’s street racing for people outside Abdn)
Someone, maybe even myself at a later date, should cover nightlife as well. The ironically named ‘Priory’ nightclub has always been a popular chav haunt (even more since Budz closed), but I’m not sure which bars are considered typically ‘chavvy’. Is The Rig as chav oriented as it used to be?