Any suggestions on areas to live in Stirling, West Lothian, North Lanarkshire or Falkirk?

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We are relocating to Scotland in 2024 and we are trying to narrow things down for places me to come scout out this year for where we land when we arrive.

We're looking towards:
West Lothian
Stirling
North Lanarkshire
Falkirk

Trying to stay in-between Glasgow and Edinburgh to increase my opportunities for work. My wife works remote but her company has offices through the UK and she rarely travels.

Any suggestions on good places to focus on? Places we should consider avoiding?

Our primary focus is good state schools. Our child will be in P5 when we arrive.

We will be renting at first, trying to keep the monthly rent under 1300pcm. Looking primarily for a terrace or semi/detached house because we have a dog that will be coming with us.

Inevitably we want to stay and rent where we would buy a house, but of course that could change once we arrive. Trying to keep our housing budget under 350K. We have been trying to look up the market in those areas and seems like MOST places in those ares are within our budget.

We will be without a car when we first arrive, so public transit availability is important as well.

At that budget pretty much anywhere you can afford will be a nice bit - not so much in Edinburgh maybe. I'd just be wary of anywhere too low in your budget. Finding rental is probably going to be the most difficult and then you get into the issue of potentially moving schools when you buy. That said, I don't know much about North Lanarkshire but for West Lothian you have Kirknewton and I;m not sure which council Linlithgow fits in but it's further towards the centre. Lots of new build estates in west Lothian which will be nice enough to live in even if the town itself isn't great.

Falkirk is similar in terms of nice new build estates and some lovely older properties but I'm not sure on areas/schools.

You also have Larbert? On the train line and lots of older and newer nice estates.

For Stirling just stick near the top end of what your budget buys and you'll be grand. I'd maybe avoid the Bannockburn high catchment as it seems to be a bit below the rest of the stirling schools. Look at Torbrex, Riverside, Causewayhead, The newer estates at Cornton. You might find something just in budget at Bridge of Allan.

Linlithgow.
On the main Edinburgh to Glasgow train line so can work in either.
Lovely family town, loads going on for kids, good schools, highest performing secondary school in West Lothian.

When looking at house prices remember Scotland has an offers over system so expect to pay 10-20% over the o/o price depending on the area, so need to adjust the price bracket you're looking at accordingly

I'm in West Lothian and would love to live in Linlithgow, definitely worth a look there OP.

Linlithgow is lovely and ticks all your boxes but there are practically no family rentals there, especially that will allow pets and your budget would be stretched to buy there.

Polmont is the next town along to the train (Edinburgh - Glasgow line) and has lots of family housing and amenities, just a couple of miles from Falkirk, but quite a bit cheaper than linlithgow.

Larbert could be an option too but isn't quite as convenient for access to Edinburgh as the east side of Falkirk and West Lothian.

No idea about the schools but Falkirk is on the Edinburgh to Glasgow mainline. It has two stations, the express trains run through high station. The London train going up north often stops at Falkirk Grahamston station which is a bonus too as if you travel from London you don't even need to change trains in Edinburgh.

Biggar

Lenzie if you want closer to Glasgow.
Is on the train line between G & E.

Linlithgow if you want a bigger town and closer to Edinburgh.

Dunblane if you want to Stirling area.

All these have the top schools in your areas.

If you're likely to be commuting to Glasgow and/or Edinburgh then I would look at places on the train lines because bus links can be pretty poor and traffic is horrendous going in/out of the cities at rush hour. Linlithgow always ranks highly but might stretch your budget for a family house.
I've always thought Dunblane might be a nice to place to live as you're close to Stirling and on the doorstep of some great countryside. I have colleagues who live there who commute to the Edinburgh and Glasgow offices by train a couple of times a week. Their kids are doing well at the local schools.
I wouldn't even consider Biggar if you don't have a car.

@yoga4meinthemorning are you sure Lenzie is on the Edinburgh train line? I have a colleague who lives in Lenzie and he goes into Glasgow before changing trains to take the edinburgh one. Unless there is an express one and a slower one? Falkirk high is on the fast line if that's the case.

@Squashedpotato it looks like some of the Edinburgh - Queen Street trains stop at Lenzie but only the rush hour services

if you’ve no car to begin with then I would try and stick to Linlithgow, if you want to be on the train line, as you can walk it from end to end in around an hour. The train station is central, there’s buses to Edinburgh/Stirling etc and the High School is highly regarded. As PP have said though, your budget might be squeezed.

We are also relocating in 2024. We live in a lovely village Kirknewton in West Lothian. It has a train station and bus, just a twenty minute drive into Edinburgh and a ten minute drive to the airport. It has a brilliant nursery and school and lovely family activities throughout the year, really lovely community. We have loved living here but are moving home to Ireland after living in Scotland for 15 years. Our house is on the market if you would like to take a look to see what’s in the area. House in Kirknewton

Agree Linlithgow is a nice place but fortunately the days of 20% offers over are a rarity now.

I’m a conveyancer and often deal in the local market there, most houses are now going for around HR in Linlithgow.

We have the odd outlier, but as many go for 10% under as they do over now,

HR values have increased though so won’t have as much of an influence as it should.

I know a few of these places. The school issue is key. Are you set on state schools? And where are you moving from, think about the welcoming culture. Stirling, Dunblane. Linlithgow, some parts of Polmont, Brightons are used to people moving in, other areas can be a bit insular. I like the diversity the university brings to Stirling.

In Falkirk, Braes High School and Larbert are good. Dalziel in Motherwell is good. Other schools are mixed.

Good luck.

Looking suggestions. Newly married professional couple looking to relocate for work. Wondering if Carronshore in Falkirk would be good to live, for future reference are the schools good? Could also consider Airth. TIA