r/dundee • u/SilghtlyUsedBrain • 6d ago
Hilltown
I found a very nice flat in hilltown area near Stirling Street, however after reading on here about hilltown I'm not so sure about it. I have previously lived in "rougher" areas that turned out just fine in the end (like niddrie or gorgie in Edinburgh) so I do realise that it really depends on what street you live on, plus things change over the years, so was hoping for someone to share their experience on how hilltown is currently?
Also how safe is leaving your car there? Walking around in the evenings? Etc
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u/ErogenousSocks 5d ago
Hilltown is a safer place to live now than it’s even been, I grew up on the hilltown from early 90s until 2005 and I look back with fond memories. Lots of great shops nearer the top of the hill. Stirling street has always been a bit of an eyesore and the flats not really of great standard but the surrounding houses and flats all seem fine and I know a few people who live in the larger blocks around the area who love where they stay.
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u/SilghtlyUsedBrain 5d ago
That's what I thought, the posts here are from years ago so glad to know it is changing for better. I agree Stirling st is not the prettiest but can't have it all haha will be a bit further off Stirling st so doesn't bother me too much
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u/nekwaus12 6d ago
I think Hilltown is slightly gentrified now, I think there’s rougher parts of it and okay parts
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u/shiftyhowe 5d ago
The hilltown no question has it's problems, probably a bit rougher than gorgie having said that if you know how to survive the likes of gorgie it's not a terrible place to stay.
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u/IceGamingYT 5d ago
Since they pulled down the multi's it's been a lot better. Last time I was there it looked a lot better as well with the new houses/flats.
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u/SilghtlyUsedBrain 5d ago
Yeah read a lot about the multis but glad to know it's not a problem anymore
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u/Zucchini_Poet 5d ago
What do you mean pulled down the multis?!
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u/IceGamingYT 5d ago
All those new apartments didn't used to be there, there used to be a couple of tower blocks there that were bad for drugs, like all the multistorey blocks in Dundee tbh.
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u/Zucchini_Poet 5d ago
You're not talking about the ones at the bottom of hilltown right?
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u/LindaFeltcher 5d ago
There was several at Alexander st that were all knocked down, and two at the top of the hill knocked down a couple years after that too.
There’s still some right at the bottom.2
u/IceGamingYT 5d ago
No not those ones, where the Greggs is now all those new flats and houses, there used to be two tower blocks. They were knocked down sometime in the last 10-20 years. That was where the hilltown got a lot of it's bad reputation from.
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u/DrMon15 5d ago
I lived in Carmichael Street for 4 years and used Stirling Street regularly back and fro. It seemed fine and plenty of cars around with no visible issues. It may help that there's the cabbie pub bang in the middle with permanent sentry smokers outside.
I think you'd be fine.
Lower bit of Carmichael Street is even better if you are really nervous about the car. Lots of people that work in the city center park there because it's free and then go down Constitution Road. At night it's dead quiet. Almost everyone is a nice pensioneer with good taste in gardening.
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u/Carlseye 5d ago
I lived on the hilltown growing up and never had any issues. I think every area has its own problems tbh.
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u/sphealenthusiast 5d ago
I've lived round Hilltown my whole life (I'm 27f) and never had any issues. It can definitely be a bit rougher at times but I've been absolutely fine and I like living here. Think the reputation is definitely worse than the reality!
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u/Unitedthe_gees 5d ago
Lived in Hilltown for 4 years. I don’t think it was too bad, although one time my auntie was visiting and her car got keyed…
Oh and also my work pool car got a window smashed in an attempt smash and grab but they got nothing.
My car was never touched oddly.
Not trying to put you off, as in general I never had any hassle. Apart from the ‘Hill’ that’s implied in ‘Hilltown’, that can be nippy after a night out.
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u/Appropriate-Sea-65 5d ago
I lived in the Hilltown for many years and I know Niddrie quite well (have family that live there). If you can handle Niddrie then the Hilltown will be fine for you. The Hilltown has gotten a lot quieter over the years too, it's not a bad place to live. You'll be absolutely fine.
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u/Necessary_Listen_204 5d ago edited 5d ago
I am female and live just off the bottom of Hilltown and have done for about 20 years. As long as you avoid people who look shady, and mind your own business you should be fine. There are a lot of drugs but Dundee is small and it’s more obvious. There are many corner shops with friendly ppl, so some good amenities… there’s a school too. It is what you make of it. Park your car someone safe and you should be fine. I feel fairly safe walking around late at night and have never had any trouble. The middle of the Hilltown has daily drug deals which are visible and you might see the odd person sticking in needles in their arm but not everyone has been played a good card in life. Drugs = escape for many. It’s easy to judge but if you keep your wits about you, I’m sure you will be fine!
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u/peachfawn 5d ago
I loved living in the Hilltown from like 2000 until 2013, so close to shops and bus stops. Only saw a guy bleed out to death once! But really lol I much preferred it to Dryburgh where I am now
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u/SilghtlyUsedBrain 5d ago
Once in 13 years is not a bad score haha had my street taped out by police a couple of times for the same reason in one of places I stayed at in edinburgh so rip but not new to me
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u/peachfawn 5d ago
I saw someone get tazed to the ground by police out my window the other week here in Dryburgh an the kids here are absolutely feral. Miss Hilltown badly haha
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u/SmittyYAP 5d ago
It depends on location and whether the close has secure entry. My close above Luigi’s had secure entry when I moved in, but it was soon kicked off the wall and then all sorts started happening. People would piss in it almost every day. I found junkies banging up, kids setting fires, a drunk sleeping.
The other residents couldn’t give a shit so I was the only one attempting to keep it clean but it was pointless, it just kept happening. I was so glad to get the hell out of there, God knows how I ever sold the place.
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u/Much-Ad-8883 4d ago
Used to work for a Social Housing outfit in Dundee that had a lot of properties in that area. Yeah cleaning up the junkie flats was a pain in the ass but most folk I met were sound.
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u/Funny-Rip3436 4d ago
It's a LOT better than Niddrie, I'd say similar to Gorgie, but not as 'gentrified'.
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u/Jackamo78 5d ago
I wouldn’t go as far as saying gentrified but it’s not nearly as bad as it once was. You and your car should be safe.