Page 24 - February 2023
P. 24

AREA SPOTLIGHT

                   The best places to live for an
                easy commute                                                                award-winning restaurants and outstanding   Galashiels
                                                                                            accommodation to suit all budgets.
                                                                                                                              In the heart of the Borders, the popular town of
                                                                                            Peebles also has the distinction of being
                                                                                                                              Galashiels  makes  an  excellent  option  for  many
                                                                                            ranked as the Top Independent Retailing
                                                                                                                              prospective  buyers  including  first-time  buyers,
                                                                                            Town in Scotland, and second in the UK,
                                                                                            for its range of independent shops.  families looking for an affordable starter home,
                                                                                                                              downsizers, those interested in buying a holiday
                                                                                                                              home, or property investors looking for buy-to-
                                                                                            You can travel to Edinburgh from Peebles   let  opportunities.  The  average  property  price  in
                                                                                            by bus, which departs from Peebles Post   Galashiels is £138,298.
                                                                                            Office  and  takes  an  hour  and  will  cost
                The rising cost of living, working from home and a desire for               £4-6 for a single ticket. Typically 208   Galashiels  benefits  from  a  direct  rail  service  to
              more space and a garden may be reasons why you are thinking                   services run weekly, although weekend   Edinburgh Waverley. The train takes around 50
                                                                                            and holiday schedules can vary. Driving to   minutes and costs from £11.70 for a return ticket. You
               of moving outside Edinburgh city centre, but what are the best               Edinburgh from Peebles takes around an   can also travel by bus which takes from 90 minutes
                        areas for an easy commute to the Capital?                           hour, depending on traffic.       to two hours and costs £13.90 - £15.20 for a return
                                                                                                                              trip. Travelling by car from Galashiels to Edinburgh
                                                                                                                              takes from 55 to 90 minutes, depending on traffic.

           ocation is one of the most important
           factors when choosing a home. Moving
      Lto a different part of the city or to the
       countryside can be daunting but if you do your                                                                                     Commuting from Fife
       research,  you  should  find  somewhere  to  suit
       your lifestyle and budget.                                                                                                         Fife is popular with a wide range of
                                                                                                                                          demographics - including families,
       Commuting from the Borders                                                                                                         retirees and students due to its
                                                                                                                                          typically lower property prices,
       With charming country cottages; traditional                                                                                        culture and fantastic outdoor
       and  modern  flats;  new  builds  and  farm                                                                                        activities. The average property
       conversions, the Borders is an appealing place                                                                                     price in Fife is £237,723.
       to live for a range of buyers.
                                                                                                                              Dunfermline
       One of the biggest incentives for Borders                                                                              Dunfermline, Scotland’s newest city, is packed with
       buyers is the strong affordability of homes in                                                                         heritage and history, and it’s increasingly popular
       the area – in November 2022-January 2023, the                                                                          with  families  and  first-time  buyers  as  it  is  just  15
       average selling price was £237,600.                                                                                    miles from the Capital. The average property price
                                                                                                                              in the city is £205,705.
       Peebles
       Peebles, a small town set along the beautiful                                                                          There’s easy access to the M90 for the Queensferry
       River Tweed, is only 23 miles south of Edinburgh                                                                       Crossing and driving into Edinburgh takes just 35
       with an average selling price of £313,032.                                                                             minutes. Public transport is good too, with a bus
                                                                                                                              station and two railway stations (Dunfermline
       The town has something for everyone,                                                                                   City and Dunfermline Queen Margaret) that have
       from  outdoors  activities  like  fishing,  walking,     Peebles                                                       regular  links across  the country.  Prices  start at
       golf, cycling and horse riding to fine shopping,                                                                       £6.30 for a return ticket.

   24  |  espc.com                                                                                                                                            espc.com  |  25
   19   20   21   22   23   24   25   26   27   28   29