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Scotland is known for its stunning landscapes, which make it a popular tourist destination for people from all around the world. However, it’s not just a nice place to visit. With several bustling cities, perfect towns and breathtaking natural beauty all around, Scotland is a nice place to live. If you’re one of those looking to make a permanent move to the northern European country, you’ll be interested in learning about the best places to live in Scotland.
Whether you’re looking to settle in a high-spirited city or a peaceful town, you’ll find it in Scotland. In this article, we’ll explore some of the best cities and towns in Scotland where you can find affordable housing and vibrant communities.
Table Of Contents
Where To Live In Scotland: 10 Best Places
These are the ten places we recommend the most!
1. Isle Of Bute, Argyll
The Isle of Bute is a stunningly beautiful island on the Atlantic Ocean off the west coast of Scotland. It’s a pretty secluded place, with its largest city, Rothesay, having only a population of forty-three hundred.
The island overall has a population of just over sixty hundred people with a strong sense of community.
Isle of Bute is one of the lowest crime rate areas not just in Scotland, but the entire United Kingdom with a sense of tranquillity you can’t find anywhere else.
2. Braemar, Aberdeen
The farther you get from the Scottish borders, the better it gets. Located in Aberdeenshire, within the beautiful Cairngorms National Park, Braemer is the largest settlement in the region.
But don’t be fooled, it has a lot of things to do and is more than just a village. It has a rich history which you can see in its beautiful architecture. There are also numerous events such as comedy nights, concerts, the annual Junior Highland Games etc. You will certainly never be bored.
The Braemar castle north of the village, beautiful Braemar church and High street are places worth seeing.
3. Dundee
Dundee is a historic city founded in the 12th century, famed for its schools, universities, museums and culture.
It is one of the best locations to live in the UK, especially for students and new families. Scotland’s pride and joy has a population of hundred and fifty thousand and is buzzing with energy.
It has an amazing east coast down the Firth of Tay.
With a plethora of job opportunities and relatively low living expenses, it is one of the best Scottish cities to move in. It’s also one of the most affordable places to live in compared to the rest of Scotland and the UK, with its cost of living and average house prices beating most competition.
4. Leith, Edinburgh
Leith is a shore suburb within Edinburgh, located in east-central Scotland, with a population of over twenty thousand.
Leith is not just one of the best places to live in Scotland, but the world, as stated by Time-Out magazine.
It had a lot of restructuring done over the decades, leading to an influx of young professionals that came to live and rent in Leith since it’s more affordable there than in the Edinburgh city centre.
Although Leith is only a port district, its dynamic restaurants and bars allow you to enjoy a city-life experience. Overall, it’s a wonderful place for both young professionals and families looking for an exciting start to a new life.
5. Stockbridge, Edinburgh
Stockbridge, nestled in the heart of Scotland’s capital city, Edinburgh, is a picturesque slice of paradise, boasting gorgeous Victorian-style homes and cottages.
Living in the city centre of Edinburgh is an amazing location if you can afford it. It has stunning scenery and locations, while still having plenty of green spaces for outdoor activities.
You should keep in mind that the average price for a house in Stockbridge is nearly £500,000!
Still, if you can afford your piece of the “Colonies” as they’re called, you’ll have easy access to some of the best schools, healthcare facilities and parks in Edinburgh.
6. Finnieston, Glasgow
Living in Glasgow is a decision you’re likely never going to regret. Right next to the river Clyde, in the city centre of Glasgow, Scotland’s biggest city, Finnieston stands out as a popular location for young and middle-aged people wanting to live in a bustling environment.
Glasgow has come a long way from the daunting comparisons with London, with many new jobs and businesses opening up, improvements on life quality and implementation of renewable energy.
Glasgow has attractions such as the Glasgow Cathedral, Glasgow University, Necropolis, distilleries etc.
It is also near the legendary Loch Lomond Lake, the West Highlands, Stirling Castle and the Isle of Arran.
Glasgow is not as affordable as some of its competition, but it’s well worth the investment. Luckily, you can save some money with our affordable truck hire service in Glasgow for efficient house moving.
7. Killin, Perth
West of Loch Tay, where both river Dochart and Lochay go through, Killin is a beautiful piece of nature, located at the northeastern point of Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park.
It’s only one and a half hour’s drive to both Glasgow and Edinburgh, and only an hour away from river Tay. With a population of seven hundred and forty, it’s quiet and quaint, with natural beauty that makes it worth living in this breathtaking village.
One of the biggest problems is the lack of modern institutions of medicine and education, so if you’re moving as a family with young children, we can’t fully recommend it.
8. Killearn, Stirling
North of Glasgow city lies a small town perfect for families wanting to escape the loud city life and live somewhere they can enjoy the vastness of nature, Killearn.
You don’t need great beaches for the great outdoors of Killearn has plenty of attractions on its own, becoming one of the prime places Glasgow families aim for when moving out of the big city.
Since Glasgow is only twenty-five kilometres away, the daily commute is really not that big of a deal. Even though the average house price is slightly above the rest, if you have children, it’s a good place for them to spread their wings.
9. North Berwick, East Lothian
North Berwick is one of the most stunning locations in Scotland. Situated east of Edinburgh, it has all the charms you could dream of in a small town.
Beautiful history and glorious architecture is a sight to behold in North Berwick. The sandy beach is excellent for a swim or a pleasant walk. There is even a golf course, for those who swing.
If you work in Edinburgh, you could travel forty or so kilometres using a car, or you could use the ScotRail, which is actually faster than other types of commuting, with a speed of two hundred kilometres per hour.
Although this place is exceedingly expensive, it’s well worth the investment because it’s one of the best places to live in Scotland.
10. Culross, Fife
With a population of over two thousand people, Culross is more than a tiny village and presents one of the most important places for Christianity in not just Scotland, but the entire UK.
It has one of the most beautiful and historic abbeys, the Culross abbey, and beautiful consistent architecture which is almost picturesque with its unrivalled consistency of the house colours and steep cobbled roads.
The village had a role in plenty of movies over the decades, serving as a beautiful backdrop in which they took place.
With the average price of £290,000, it’s the perfect and beautiful place for retirees and young families.
Enjoy all the perks of Scotland with our hire deals. Our trucks and vans are here to ease your moving house while you can explore the country’s beauties with our cars and minibuses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where Is The Best Place To Live In Scotland?
Where the best place to live in Scotland is depends on your needs and preferences. If you’re looking for the thrills of a bigger city, places such as Stockbridge, Leith and Dundee are the best. Those with families looking for peace and quiet can look at Killearn, North Berwick, Braemer and the Isle of Bute. There are enough options for everyone to find what suits them best.
What Is The Cheapest Place To Live In Scotland?
The cheapest place to live in Scotland is a title many places can receive. Island cities and shore cities, particularly on the west shore tend to have a low cost of living and house prices that are on the low end as well. The cheapest places to live in Scotland are:
- Isle of Bute
- Kilbirnie
- Copeland
- Stevenston
- Campbeltown
- Cumnock
- Irvine
- Girvan
- Aberdeen
What Are The Best Places To Live In Scotland By The Sea?
The best places to live in Scotland by the sea are as follows:
- Isle of Bute
- North Berwick
- South Queensferry
- Dalgety Bay
- Dunbar
- Portobello
- St Andrews
- Dalgety bay
All of these have great sandy beaches for walking with clean water you can take a dive in any time of year. Also, the landscapes and the views from those beaches are beautiful.
Where Is The Warmest Place In Scotland Today?
The warmest place in Scotland today is Dundee, which is also known as the driest place in Scotland called “Sunny Dunny”. In general, places around the western isles of Scotland are warmer than the east and central areas because of the Atlantic ocean current. Hebridean island of Tiree is the sunniest individual location
What Is The Best Beach In Scotland?
The best beach in Scotland is Tolsta beach on the Isle of Lewis when it comes to swimming. If you’re more interested in finding a beautiful beach rather than a beach excellent for swimming, beaches such as Shetland on St Ninian’s Isle and East Beach at Lossiemouth are perfect for your instagrammable moments.
Conclusion
Scotland is a beautiful place with many modern, natural and historic attractions. Regardless of whether you prefer living in cities or villages, we are sure you’ll find something for you among the places presented above. Hopefully you’ve learned some interesting things, and we’ve helped you make a decision on what the best places to live in Scotland are.
