Moving up to scotland

[Londonboy94]

Hi guys.

I am thinking of a possible move to Fife, Scotland, can anyone recommend nice friendly places to live? I have been offered a job in Kirkcaldy so I don't want to b a million miles away from my office, I will be happy with a 30 minute - 45 minute commute.

I am initially looking to rent a small 1 bedroom flat / apartment or house, I have a budget of £700 a month for rent, I also want to be close to places where it's good for shopping and a few bars/pubs etc, but I dont want to be bang in the middle of a noisy neighbourhood and where there is a high crime rate.

some people have recommended actually living in Kirkcaldy, but some people have also said not to move here.

any help would be great!

Dunfermline is nice and I think you'd get a lot for your £700.

I wouldn't personally live in Kirkcaldy itself but I'm saying that on the back of a few visits rather than experience of actually living there.

Thanks for your reply!

Yeah i'm getting a mixed response about Kirkcaldy at the moment, in terms of living in dunfermline, has it got good links to transport and isit close to shopping centres etc, also whats the crime rate like there?

thanks

Dunfermline is nice, excellent transport links to Edinburgh. Good amenities etc. Fife generally not great for crime but not sure about Dunfermline particularly.

Also lots of lovely wee coastal villages along that way if that’s your scene, but transport options probably not great.

I love the east neuk of Fife. I'd live there in a flash if you don't mind the commute. Lovely bit of the country.

How close is your work to the Kirkcaldy train station? If its walkable then the Fife circle train line would mean you have decent choice of places to live. I wouldn't want to rely on Fife buses though! Dunfermline is lovely although the western expansion is a sprawling new build estate with no decent transport unless you drive everywhere. Aberdour, Burntisland and Kinghorn are all quite picturesque in the old parts and it may be nice to be by the water? Dalgety Bay has more amenities than those. I lived in Kirkcaldy for a few years but never socialised there as I lived in Edinburgh and drove across the bridge every day.

Like most places, both Kirkcaldy and Dunfermline have nice areas and less nice areas. Both have good transport links (train and bus stations), and there are shopping centres in both town centres and out of town shopping centres. Obviously what one person thinks of as "good for shopping" is pretty different to what others do- if you are used to the variety of London (guessing based on user name) you'll notice a difference. My very boring high street tastes are served well enough by both and you're less than an hour in a train from Edinburgh which has some slightly nicer shops.
High streets are a bit dilapidated but I suspect that's the same all over. Both have a range of pubs and bars.
In terms of your commute 30-45 mins each way gives you a pretty massive area potentially to look in (some fairly rural)- lots of Fife, outskirts of Edinburgh potentially if you are driving.
Can't help with crime rate but the Police Scotland website might help - but bear in mind both towns have good areas and bad. £700 pcm for rent will probably go quite a long way.
Both have a mix of new estates at the outskirts, (which are still pretty close) stonebuilt Victorian in the centreish and plenty of other housing stock in the middle. Just had a quick look on right move and there are plently of flats at the waterfront in Kirkcaldy for around 500 pcm for 2 beds!

Pretty beaches not far away too if you like that sort of thing.
I don't think there's that much difference to be honest between them. I've got pals in both places and they all seem happy enough!

I grew up in Kinghorn (a little town 2 miles from Kirkcaldy) and it was an amazing place to grow up - two sandy beaches, lovely school etc. However, that was in the 80s so it may be quite different now! Also there wouldn't be any night life much at all. Train from Edinburgh would probably take about 50mins though and Edinburgh is an amazing city, especially for those who enjoy dining out, culture etc (lived there in my 20s). Not that sure about Kirkcaldy itself though. Have to been up to have a look?

Hi guys. Thank you all so much for your replies!

I really have no idea where abouts to live in Scotland. My office is a 10 minute walk away from Kirkcaldy station.

I don’t mind where I live as long as it has good transport links into shopping centres and Kirkcaldy.

I wanna ideally live on a nice quiet cul de sac, but not too fussed as long as there isn’t a lot of drama and out of hand youths (no offence). I wouldn’t mind living in rural villages either!

Thanks for the help guys.

Also what are Scottish people like with young English moving up there?

Scottish people are generally very friendly and sociable. If you have any hobbies or interests and joined a local club or group I am sure you would be warmly welcomed. Have you looked at St Andrews? I am not exactly sure how far it is from Kircaldy but not too far I think and it has lovely beaches pubs restaurants etc. Good luck!

Hi
I live just south of Dunfermline and love the fact that I am 5 minutes from a train station and can be in Edinburgh within 20 minutes. The same train station I can catch a train to Kirkcaldy and be there within the same amount of time. Also all major bus routes go through where I live.

Neither Dunfermline nor Kirkcaldy have massively brilliant town centres in terms of shopping but there are some good retail parks close by. The close proximity of Edinburgh and Glasgow mean you can get pretty much anything you would want quite easily.

In terms of living I'd choose Dunfermline and it's surrounding areas before anywhere near Kirkcaldy. Just a personal preference. Look at Dunfermline, Dalgety Bay & Rosyth for an idea of prices and property available.

As for whether you'd be welcome, we are a very friendly bunch contrary to English opinion!

Good luck!

OP I'm jealous I live down south but come from Dunfermline and would love to return one day. Lots of nice villages round Dunfermline try Crossford,Crossgates and Culross very pretty. The Scots are very friendly people I'm sure you will enjoy it up there. Edinburgh is just absolutely beautiful so much to see and do and of course Glasgow and Perth also lovely. Making myself homesick now lol. I hope you love it.