Best areas to live for people commuting to Edinburgh
The increase in people working from home reducing the need for a daily commute, rising property prices in Edinburgh and a desire to escape busy city life are all reasons why you may be looking to buy a home on the commuter belt.
But what factors should you consider when looking for a property outside the capital? Here are our favourite locations near Edinburgh where you might find your dream home.
Inveresk
Distance to Edinburgh (12 minutes by train)
Cost to commute: £3.60 return from Musselburgh Station
Average house price: £685,451
A conservation village in East Lothian, Inveresk is ideal for those who want a piece of history as it consists of a mainstreet of 17th and 18th century houses. Notable Inveresk buildings include the A-listed St Michael’s Church and the 18th century Inveresk House which was used by Oliver Cromwell as his headquarters in 1650. Also nearby is the Inveresk Lodge Garden which belongs to the National Trust for Scotland. Its gardens overlooking the River Esk are open to the public and it makes for a beautiful walk with ornamental topiary, woodland walks and ponds. The nearest school is Musselburgh Grammar School.
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North Berwick
Distance to Edinburgh: 30 minutes by public transport, 45 minutes by car
Cost to commute: Anytime day return on train for £7.70
Average house price: £493,298
If you are commuting to Edinburgh, North Berwick is one of the more expensive places to live but it is a popular choice for prospective house buyers. With a population of less than 7000, the town boasts a close community while being just a short commute to Edinburgh.
Recent developments include Miller Homes’ Ferrygate Meadow, comprising three, four and five-bedroom houses, to the east of the town. Commuters have been attracted to the area due to its location just off the A198, which follows the coastline to Musselburgh and Edinburgh and is just a 20-minute walk from North Berwick train station.
Schools in the area are highly rated with North Berwick High School being particularly popular. Younger pupils are catered for by Law Primary School.
Dunfermline
Distance to Edinburgh: 35 minutes by train and car
Cost to commute: £7.20 off-peak day return
Average house price: £184,727
The Fife city of Dunfermline has some of the cheapest property prices along the Edinburgh commuter belt. Average house prices are slightly higher than the Fife average but still a significant saving when compared to Edinburgh.
Dunfermline's centre is characterised by its grand ruins and large properties of grey stone-built villas. Statuesque public venues such as the Carnegie Hall also mark the town's history. The area is considered a good shopping destination with a large shopping centre, several retail parks and a busy high street packed with independent and chain stores.
The city is the perfect location for families due to two large public parks and respected schools. Highly ranked schools include the Queen Anne High School and St Columba's Roman Catholic High School. The most popular areas to live include the centre of the city which contains beautiful Victorian and Edwardian homes, and north of the city centre there’s stunning houses in Headwell and Bellyeoman. If you travel south you will find terraced stone-built properties in St Leonards. Duloch in the suburbs has more contemporary homes.
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Bonnyrigg
Distance to Edinburgh: 50 minutes by bus, 25-40 minutes by car depending on traffic
Cost to commute: £4.50 day ticket for bus
Average house price: £240,162
Positioned eight miles southeast of Edinburgh, Bonnyrigg is one of the larger towns in Midlothian and 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.
Bonnyrigg also 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. Straiton Retail Park is also nearby, with a variety of large chain shops.
Linlithgow
Distance to Edinburgh: 19 minutes by train, around 40 minutes by car
Daily cost to commute: £9.20 return on train
Average house price: £299,549
Perhaps most famous for its iconic palace, this pretty town is a desirable place to live thanks to a good variety of local amenities, highly regarded schools and great transport links. While property in Linlithgow is more expensive than nearby Falkirk, it’s considerably more affordable than living in the city. Linlithgow is conveniently located on the fast Edinburgh to Glasgow train route, meaning regular services are available to transport you to either city.
Broxburn
Distance to Edinburgh: 29 minutes from Uphall train station, 25 minutes by car
Daily cost to commute: £6.20 anytime day return on train
Average house price: £243,270
Located to the west of Edinburgh, Broxburn offers easy road and rail links back into the centre of Edinburgh. It is situated in close proximity to the M8 and is approximately 5 miles from Edinburgh Airport and to the north of Livingston. The town is popular with families as it has four state schools: Broxburn Primary, Kirkhill Primary, St. Nicholas Roman Catholic Primary and Broxburn Academy. Broxburn is the ideal area to live if you want access to lots of outdoor space with the Union Canal, Admondell and Calderwood Country Park and Uphall golf course all nearby.
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Dalkeith
Distance to Edinburgh: 20 minutes by train, 30 minutes by car
Daily cost to commute: £8.30 anytime day return
Average house price: £219,876
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. It is located just eight miles south-east of Edinburgh, making it handy for commuters. The town is popular with families due to its well-regarded schools and range of family-friendly activities including Ryze trampoline park and Gilmerton Cove, a mysterious network of passageways and chambers handcrafted from sandstone. Eskbank is the well-heeled district of Dalkeith with many large Victorian and newer houses. To the south of Eskbank is Newbattle with its abbey.
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*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 12 month period ending on 31/05/2022
Public transport commuter cost is according to data from ScotRail
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ESPC magazine
This article appeared in the July 2022 issue of the ESPC magazine. Find out more about the ESPC magazine and read the latest issue online.