Where are the best places for commuters to Edinburgh to live?

Location is one of the most important factors when choosing a home. Moving to a different part of the city or to the countryside can be daunting but if you do your research, you should find somewhere to suit your lifestyle and budget.

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Commuting from the Borders

With charming country cottages; traditional and modern flats; new builds and farm conversions, the Borders is an appealing place to live for a range of buyers.

One of the biggest incentives for Borders buyers is the strong affordability of homes in the area – in May-October 2023, the average selling price was £217,612.

Peebles

Peebles, a small town set along the beautiful River Tweed, is only 23 miles south of Edinburgh with an average selling price of £201,315.

The town has something for everyone, from outdoor activities like fishing, walking, golf, cycling and horse riding to fine shopping, award-winning restaurants and outstanding accommodation to suit all budgets.

Peebles also has the distinction of being ranked as the Top Independent Retailing Town in Scotland, and second in the UK, for its range of independent shops.

Galashiels

In the heart of the Borders, the popular town of Galashiels makes an excellent option for many prospective buyers including first-time buyers, families looking for an affordable starter home, downsizers, those interested in buying a holiday home, or property investors looking for buy-to-let opportunities. The average property price in Galashiels is £157,132.

Commuting from Fife

Fife is popular with a wide range of demographics - including families, retirees and students due to its typically lower property prices, culture and fantastic outdoor activities. The average property price in Fife is £244,448.

Dunfermline

Dunfermline, Scotland’s newest city, is packed with heritage and history, and it’s increasingly popular with families and first-time buyers as it is just 15 miles from the Capital. The average property price in the city is £200,540.

There’s easy access to the M90 for the Queensferry Crossing and driving into Edinburgh takes just 35 minutes. Public transport is good too, with a bus station and two railway stations (Dunfermline City and Dunfermline Queen Margaret) that have regular links across the country. 

Commuting from Midlothian

Searching for the perfect balance of countryside quiet and city buzz? Midlothian might just be exactly what you’ve been looking for. You’ll also find an array of available property styles, spanning picturesque cottages and grand Victorian terraces, to sleek new-build properties.

The average property selling price in Midlothian is £262,320.

Bonnyrigg

Positioned eight miles southeast of Edinburgh, Bonnyrigg is another great option for those hoping for an easy commute. It isn’t on a train line, but there are regular and fast bus services to the Capital. Straiton Retail Park is also nearby, with a variety of large chain shops.

The town offers a wide range of different property types and can be particularly good for first-time buyers, with a good variety of smaller houses and flats for sale, alongside the larger family homes. The average property in Bonnyrigg costs £260,583.

Bonnyrigg is just a 50-minute bus journey to Edinburgh.

Dalkeith

Lying on the River North Esk, Dalkeith is a picturesque town that is the perfect choice for those who want to live near open green spaces like Dalkeith Country Park.

The average property selling price in Dalkeith is £277,525.

The town is popular with families due to its range of schools and family-friendly activities including Ryze trampoline park.

Dalkeith is located just eight miles southeast of Edinburgh, making it handy for commuters. A train from Eskbank station takes 20 minutes to get to the Capital. If you are driving, it takes 30 minutes to get to Edinburgh, depending on traffic.

Commuting from East Lothian

Scenic East Lothian is a popular choice for those who love the outdoors and buyers are spoilt for choice with properties in the countryside and beside the sea. It boasts many of Scotland’s top beaches as well as having many of its own outdoor spaces.

The average property in East Lothian sells for £276,660.

North Berwick

North Berwick is a scenic seaside town that looks out onto the Forth of Firth, approximately 25 miles east of Edinburgh. North Berwick became a fashionable holiday resort in the 19th century because of its two sandy bays, the East (or Milsey) Bay and the West Bay and continues to attract holidaymakers to this day. Golf courses at the ends of each bay are open to visitors.

The town has easy access to Edinburgh from North Berwick train station. The journey takes 30 minutes and it takes 45 minutes to get to Edinburgh by car from North Berwick, depending on traffic.

The average property selling price in North Berwick is £397,527.

Musselburgh

Musselburgh is East Lothian’s biggest town and is located at the mouth of the River Esk, approximately six miles east of Edinburgh.

There are lots of things to do in Musselburgh itself including visiting one of the busiest racecourses in Scotland, for both National Hunt and Flat meetings. The town also has its own rugby club, BMX track and two golf courses.

The average property selling price in Musselburgh is £248,409.

Musselburgh Train Station is located in the south-west corner of the town, next to Queen Margaret University. Wallyford Train Station is a walkable distance for people who live in the eastern end of Musselburgh. Both train stations offer a direct route to Edinburgh Waverley. 

Residents can also take the train from Musselburgh to other towns in East Lothian. There are also four Lothian Buses routes that run through Musselburgh: the 26, 30, 44 and 140. All these buses eventually reach the city centre, but via different routes.

Commuting from West Lothian

Nestled between Edinburgh and Glasgow, the historic county of West Lothian now has Scotland’s youngest and fastest-growing population, as first-time buyers and young families have flocked to the area to enjoy larger homes, more affordable property prices and access to excellent local amenities.

The average property price in the region still offers great value for money, the average property selling price is £235,556.

Livingston

Livingston is located approximately 15 miles west of Edinburgh and 30 miles east of Glasgow and is bordered by the towns of Broxburn to the northeast and Bathgate to the northwest. The average property selling price in Livingston is £203,762.

Livingston offers a bustling feel with plenty of shops, bars and restaurants to keep you busy – plus it’s home to the Livingston Designer Outlet, a haven for shoppers, making it a great alternative to living in the city.

Travelling by train from Livingston to Edinburgh takes between 20 - 30 minutes (depending on which station and route) and taking the bus from Livingston to Edinburgh takes around 75 minutes.

Driving from Livingston to Edinburgh can take from 40 – 80 minutes depending on traffic The travel times and prices mentioned are rough estimates. Exact times should be checked with the relevant travel providers.

*Average house price figures are based on properties marketed and sold through ESPC. Home Report valuations relate to properties where the Home Report was available on espc.com. Figures relate to the six- month period ending on 31/10/2023.

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ESPC magazine

This article appeared in the February 2023 issue of the ESPC magazine. Find out more about the ESPC magazine and read the latest issue online.