Moving to outskirts of Dunfermline

[Mummybilla79]

My family and I are planning to move to Dunfermline very soon. Looking at small villages on the outskirts of Dunfermline as not keen on working and living in the centre. Any suggestions on nice villages that are friendly picturesque and good for families with kids? I've already been warned against Blairhall and oakley

Hi there! It depends how far you want to go. Crossford is good. We live in Burntisland (I commute to Dunfermline - 20 minute drive, DH to Edinburgh on the train) and I love it here - award winning beach, flumes with swimming pool, large parks including water park bit, mini golf, toddler groups, great school (newly built with great resources) etc. Feel free to PM me with any questions.

Aberdour, Dalgety Bay and Saline are also good options.

What age children do you have and where will you be working, if Edinburgh, you want to be on a train line and probably to the south if you want to drive in. Schooling is a nightmare in Dunfermline at a moment and they are redrawing the catchments for high schools which will impact all the surrounding villages. I'd go Aberdour as a first choice then Burntisland second, but I love beaches and both have nice ones. Crossford is nice too. Cairneyhill OK but lots of new houses planned which will put pressure on the school. Limekilns ok too,

Saline is lovely but it's always a lot further out than I think, especially if you are going to Edinburgh. It's also quite high up so can get snowed in in winter, everyone I know who lives in Saline who commutes out the village has a 4x4 for winter. They can have snow and there be nothing in Dunfermline .

Crossford is nice, as are Limekilns and Culross, if you're looking for a coastal village feel. All have their own primary schools, but you'd be looking at a bus for Dunfermline High once they're secondary age. Saline is also very nice, but the internet is a bit dodgy out there - I was out visiting my auntie and had no mobile reception on o2 the whole time. I also second the PP who mentioned the snow out there - it's like a different climate because of how in the bills it is. If you're going to be in any way reliant on public transport I'd suggest focusing on Rosyth or Cairneyhill/Crossford, which have a better bus service into town. Especially for as the kids get older if you don't want to be having to drive them everywhere.

If you were to look more to the Aberdour/Burntisland side, you would be more focussed on Kirkcaldy for your high schools (which is a bit of a bonus with the state of Dunfermline catchment areas just now) but they're not very far from the m90 at all, and both have better public transport than the west Fife village.

Thank you all for your input so helpful. My kids are 8 and 10 and driving is no problem as we work in Dunfermline so don't rely on public transportation x

Honestly, in that case I'd go north to Kinross. Easy trip down the motorway (although junction 4 at Kelty is another microclimate that is tricky in snow), a lovely little town with schools, swimming pool, good shops and Loch Leven on the doorstep. Alternatively, I'd have a look at Dollar too?

That's a pretty decent idea Charlie. Dollar is a lovely little town, Kinross has good schools too. Similar to being warned off Blairhall and Oakley - do not fall for the house prices in Kelty. They are that price for a reason. I know people who moved into the new build estate there and are bitterly regretting that decision.

Thank you all so much. Now to find a house!!

Hi. I've just read this thread and wondered if you moved and were happy with where you chose? We are looking to relocate to Scotland this year and I'm really struggling with where to go. Family live in Burntisland and Kirkcaldy. We love Aberdour and Dalgety Bay but have a DD age 13 to consider and school etc. Would LOVE some advice xx