Hi Pete, sounds like you found it. Andromeda needs dark skies and low powers. An 8" scope is a good one for seeing detail: dust lanes and two satellite galaxies, although dust lanes are tough at such low altitude. Large aperture binos give the most pleasing views even if not the most detailed. You do see it better the further north you go.
I agree with Eric; LMC and SMC are much more interesting objects.
