Fife: Dalgety Bay, Aberdour, Burntisland or Dunfermline?

[Redqueenheart]

I posted a thread a while ago about wanting to move to Scotland from the South East.

Friends who live there have now sent me a list of places in Fife they said I should check out when I am in Scotland next week: Dalgety Bay, Aberdour, Burntisland or Dunfermline.

Would anyone be able to give some insider knowledge on any of the above locations?

I will be living alone and I am in my early 50. My main requirement is somewhere safe and quiet but where I can also access the basics (shops, GP, hospital not too far away) and where I can access things like sailing, swimming and horse riding.

I would be working mainly from home so don't need to commute everyday.

My friends said Dunfermline has some good facilities and I can see that properties are reasonably priced there but I was more attracted to the other places listed (closer to the sea :) )but they seem to have less housing available.

Any further advice much appreciated!

That sounds like a good day.

Poshest parts are Transy, Comely Park, Garvock, and then there are a few other little pockets around, like some of the areas near Pittencrieff park.

There's a little 2 bed bungalow in Garvock just now at offers over £195, it will go for a fair amount more but you should get it in your budget. Something like that would be extremely quiet and safe.

That sounds like a good day.

Poshest parts are Transy, Comely Park, Garvock, and then there are a few other little pockets around, like some of the areas near Pittencrieff park.

There's a little 2 bed bungalow in Garvock just now at offers over £195, it will go for a fair amount more but you should get it in your budget. Something like that would be extremely quiet and safe.

@LifeAintEasy Thank you! I will have a look at what's available in these areas too.

I know all the places you mention in OP well as grew up in Fife, Aberdour being my favourite and the only one I would choose for myself with your criteria.

I agree with the PP who said Dalgety Bay is soulless - it was basically just a housing estate that kept getting bigger, doesn't have much of a centre to it. It does have a sailing club. Although also radiation issues at the beach we weren't allowed to go there, or is that resolved these days? Burntisland is a mixed bag some lovely houses many less so, the shore is pretty but the summer shows were something to avoid and go on for ages, as I recall. Kinghorn is nicer with easy access to Kirkcaldy for facilities. Dunfermline has a historic centre but really is just an ever-growing commuter town for Edinburgh.

Have you only considered the east coast? I have a friend over on the west coast and a house with a sea view in the section from Gourock right down to West Kilbride is where I hope to retire! It has a range of sizes of towns and villages in a seaside location with stunning views across Bute/Arran and beyond, almost all with a station and within an hour on train to Glasgow. There is a huge Marina/sailing club at Largs. Largs in particular has a lot of facilities on the doorstep for a town of its size due to tourism, probably the most expensive place but your budget is good for Scotland. Only downside is that it's overall wetter than east coast but there are also plenty lovely days and you aren't moving to Scotland for the weather!

Dunfermline really is just a commuter town for Edinburgh. Eastern Expansion just keeps on expanding. It is starting to become soulless like Dalgety Bay and local amenities are really being stretched.

Dalgety bay is lovely, I'd like to move there. Watch those flats on the coast though as they are right beside the radioactive beaches.

Dunfermline is more than just a commuter town for Edinburgh. I do agree that the Eastern Expansion is souless but there are loads of other areas which are nicer.

It seems to be schools and nurseries that are really stretched, I know one GP surgery is terrible for waiting times but there are those problems everywhere else in the country.

I do think you will need to get a car to make the most out of the area, especially if you are wanting to go to the coast for swimming and sailing as the public transport isn't brilliant and can be expensive.

I’d agree that Dalgety Bay is soulless. Lots of houses. Not much in the way of life. Fine if you want to go to work, go to a supermarket, go home. Grim.

Dunfermline has a lovely park, an abbey and a decent shopping street. All the new estates won't be as nice as the older parts of town. You'd be mad to use it as a commuter town given the traffic on the road in every morning!

And it is years since I lived there (as a kid). It has just expanded and not really made any improvement on amenities. It's a boring place as places go in Fife.

I'm at work in Dalgety bay just now!

Whilst there are a few more shops just now (eg Aldi) in the new estate at the top, the town centre (if you could even call it that) is unchanged. About 6-8 shops, small Tesco, post office, charity shop etc.

Louie Brown's is nice.

But so few amenities for the size of town.

OK. Interesting to read so many different views about Dalgety Bay with some negative points (''soulless'' and not much happening and erm, radioactive beaches) and Dunfermline.

@MistressIggi I would not have a regular commute as I work fully remotely so the traffic on the road is not so much of an issue.

@SunnySusie yes I am not set on any particular location. As mentioned I just happen to know a couple of people who are from Edinburgh or live in Fife. My former boss is Scottish and from Glasgow and She mentioned Troon. I think someone else already suggested West Kilbride.

I was a bit worried I might struggle with the Glasgow accent and they might not understand me but where I am staying at the moment there are a lot of Glaswegians and we seem to communicate fine! My accent is a bit odd as I have lived in London and the South East for decades but I am originally from an EU country :)

Definitely visit the west if you have time then! There is a train from Glasgow central for Largs that goes south then cuts back in at the coast at Saltcoats/ardrossan and then back north up the the coast . The views are fabulous. Or the other way train along the Clyde which then comes back down almost all the way south to meet the other one but stops at wemyss bay. Would be so much better if they connected.

I really don't think your accent will be an issue with the areas (and to be honest budget) you are considering. Lots of people move north to get more property for their money and English accents are not unusual in "naice" areas.

I’ve lived in Dunfermline all my life - it’s big and functional and is great for getting out and about to other places as we’re right on the motorway - an hour by car to Glasgow or Dundee, 30 mins to Perth, 45 mins to St Andrews on a good day. There’s the bus park and ride at Halbeath that’s a hub for long distance bus routes and two train stations. It has everything you need and has a variety of housing options. I’m about 15 mins to Aberdour in the car for beach time, 20/25 to Burntisland. As someone up thread has said, garvock/Transy/town centre have some lovely houses.

Dalgety Bay is a bit soulless in my opinion- it’s essentially just a massive housing estate. Some nice flats right down on the shore with great views of the rail bridge though and the sailing club.

Aberdour is great but as others have said, not many houses come on the market, plus the traffic in summer is murder.

I really like Burntisland these days, it’s got some really nice wee quirky shops and a healthy high street with a good variety of specialist things like butchers, greengrocer etc. it’s got a pool and a lovely beach and there is always people in swimming when I’m there. Only downside is the funfair that's on the links all summer, but unless you have a house overlooking the links I doubt that would be a problem.

Might I suggest Limekilns as an option - it’s a lovely wee village, nice community spirit (I have friends there), couple of pubs, amazing cafe and nice local walks.

I love it here - I’ve got everything I need on my doorstep and there’s so much within an hours drive - east neuk beaches, hills, country walks, great cafes and local produce. Very happy.

I'm also in my 50s and I'm going to stand up for Dalgety Bay! We moved here after decades in central Edinburgh and I wondered how I'd cope away from all the cafes and shops.

I don't drive but there's the train station with frequent services, and it's safe & easy to cycle to the local shops or to Burntisland's excellent high street; or along to Aberdour for a swim before work, or over the old road bridge to S. Queensferry.

I appreciate the peace and feeling of safety here, and there are various clubs and groups if you're a "joiner". People are friendly, although they keep more of a distance than in my old neighbourhood (characterful conservation zone - I'm happy to leave "heritage" maintenance costs behind). I get my city fix in Edinburgh. Note - DB is on a flight path when there's an east wind.

Hi. I know this thread is old but I am now on exactly the same position as you, considering the same move. Would you mind sharing where you moved to and how you are finding it?

@Redqueenheart

Just bumping this thread for you @Beachmad