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Scotsnet

Welcome to Scotsnet - discuss all aspects of life in Scotland, including relocating, schools and local areas.

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Original poster

Kinglassie, Fife, any opinions?

70 replies

Jon54321 · 01/10/2023 11:03

We're moving to Scotland (have a job in Edinburgh), and we're looking for good value areas to live. We didn't like Kirkcaldy, as it felt really depressed, Glenrothes just felt odd (the town seems to be a giant shopping mall), but I've seen a property online in Kinglassie (old mining town) that looks great from my Internet viewing.
Does anyone have any experience of Kinglassie? Any good, or somewhere to avoid?
Have 2 boys, age 7 and 8, ideally would like scouts, and football club nearby. School needs to be walking distance as I'm the only driver...
Thanks 😀

OP posts:

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Original poster

Jon54321 · 03/10/2023 19:30

When I looked at train prices, they were crazy.. plus it'd then be a further bus journey from Haymarket to Crewe Toll.. Early morning drive in with a 4pm finish is what some colleagues do, they seem to miss any jams on the bridge...

OP posts:

Photio · 03/10/2023 23:14

Jon54321 · 03/10/2023 15:10

I'd commute 4 days a week by car, up to 60 minute drive each way (probably 45 there, 60 back), to the west side of Edinburgh..

It's not a journey I'd fancy doing 4 days a week unless you start very early or work shifts. Barnton junction to Crewe toll stretch alone will be at least half an hour in the morning.
I'd suggest you come up and drive it on a week day rush hour in winter and see what you think.

Spottyhousecoat · 03/10/2023 23:37

What about the new village at Bangour hospital in West Lothian, easy commute into the city, get in early houses will be reasonable and everyone will be new to the village. It does look like it's going to be lovely, new school/nursery and quite green.
https://www.ambassador-living.co.uk/developments/bangour-village/

Bangour Village Estate - Ambassador Living

https://www.ambassador-living.co.uk/developments/bangour-village

Spottyhousecoat · 03/10/2023 23:46

Ooh £6.50 return on train and 15 mins to haymarket.

ApolloandDaphne · 04/10/2023 08:30

I agree you need to try the route before you decide where to buy. Come and stay around Dunfermline and drive to your work place on a random weekday giving yourself the time you think you will need and see if it's possible. Then you can properly assess your options.

PrimalLass · 04/10/2023 10:14

Theyrarelygetcaught · 03/10/2023 16:42

Also worth browsing Galashiels, Tweedbank and Gorebridge.

Not to get to Crewe Toll though.

PrimalLass · 04/10/2023 10:16

Pre-covid I used to drive from Aberdour to just past Crewe Toll. If I was away just before 7 I could be at work in 40 mins. Anything after 7 and I was as well to wait until 8.30. But I assume it's not so bad now.

soupweather · 05/10/2023 18:30

PrimalLass · 04/10/2023 10:16

My husband does Fife to the Gyle each day and says if he’s not on the bridge by 6.30 he’s as well not leaving until after 8. He goes to the gym every day after work to get the Gyle traffic a bit clearer heading towards 7pm.

penguin112 · 05/10/2023 18:39

Have a look at Linlithgow and Livingston. Both very accessible to Edinburgh and good areas

Lighthouseview · 07/10/2023 15:47

we moved out of edinburgh to Kirkcaldy, thought the train would make it commutable. But because it’s east coast mainline, was always delayed. We lasted 2 years and moved back south of the bridge. It was an expensive mistake for us.

For driving to Crewe toll, consider Ratho, Kirkliston, South Queensferry (although more expensive than Ratho/Kirkliston), East Calder, Winchburgh, Livingston.

Did I hear that one of the new tram routes was going via Crewe Toll? I mean it will take years to be built but might eventually mean, you could park at Ingliston and get tram in. Maybe by the time your kids are teenagers!

Vettrianofan · 07/10/2023 16:28

Invisimamma · 02/10/2023 18:16

Any reason why it needs to be Fife? Plenty of other places to consider in the surrounding Lothians.

Fife is probably the cheapest out of the lot though. You can only work with the budget you have got.

Vettrianofan · 07/10/2023 16:34

Labralion · 03/10/2023 14:31

As a side note I loathe Dunfermline and would pick a lovely area in Kirkcaldy or Glenrothes every time!

Dunfermline just isn't the same these days due to DEX. It's just out of control the amount of housing going up at an alarming rate. Most of unaffordable for locals!

Vettrianofan · 07/10/2023 16:36

DeathRattleDazzle · 03/10/2023 14:31

Also make sure you are checking on the ESPC website as well as Rightmove! Lots more choice on there.

Bo'Ness would be a no from me. Its cheap and near the water. That's all it has going for it. We looked at a house there but realised we'd spend all our lives going to and from Linlithgow.

The only other places I think would work for you could be Falkirk or Livingston. Great trains, (especially Falkirk) and cheap property. I much prefer Fife though!

Falkirk considerably cheaper than Fife for housing.

Vettrianofan · 07/10/2023 16:42

Theyrarelygetcaught · 03/10/2023 16:25

Have you thought about areas on the other side of the bridge? The Scottish Borders in particular. For example, Kelso, Lauder, Pathhead, Dalkeith?

For £200k🤣 not on the OP's budget. Don't think so.

Vettrianofan · 07/10/2023 16:47

penguin112 · 05/10/2023 18:39

Have a look at Linlithgow and Livingston. Both very accessible to Edinburgh and good areas

Linlithgow very pricey. No way would OP get a decent sized property there for £200k.

booksandchoc · 07/10/2023 16:57

No, no, no.

I haven’t read the full thread but I’ve just moved out of this village and so glad I did.

I’m from a village close by, we moved to Kinglassie temporarily, decided to make it permanent then a year later couldn’t wait to leave.

I moved back to my original village more for high school catchment for my daughter but I most definitely wouldn’t send her to the catchment high school!

There is nothing in Kinglassie, if you can’t drive then you’re relying on buses that forever.

I’ll go and read everyone else’s comments but I doubt anyone will say anything nice about the place!

FannyFifer · 07/10/2023 17:01

I think this is the first time I've ever seen anyone think about living in Kinglassie. It's a def nope from me.

Gingerkittykat · 07/10/2023 17:34

Piffpaffpoff · 02/10/2023 08:28

It wouldn’t be my first choice simply for logistical reasons . Lochgelly and Cowdenbeath both have high schools which would be good for your children as they get older - they’d have to be bussed somewhere from Kinglassie. Also, they both have train stations with direct trains to Edinburgh which is handy.

Lochgelly High is pretty low down in the league tables with a rank of 293 out of 240 Scottish high schools. I thought it was the worst in Fife but Beath is 320!

https://www.scottishdailyexpress.co.uk/news/scottish-news/scottish-school-league-table-full-30081502

Full 2023 list of the best-performing high schools in Scotland

A new exam league table shows how many pupils left school with at least five Highers in 2022 – and schools in small towns are lagging behind those in the cities

https://www.scottishdailyexpress.co.uk/news/scottish-news/scottish-school-league-table-full-30081502

Photio · 07/10/2023 18:09

my boys are half Latino, so keen to be somewhere with a bit of ethnic diversity.

I've never been to Kinglassie but I really don't think that area of fife will meet your requirement.
Outside of Edinburgh and Glasgow Scotland is not really ethnically diverse.

Vettrianofan · 07/10/2023 19:17

FannyFifer · 07/10/2023 17:01

I think this is the first time I've ever seen anyone think about living in Kinglassie. It's a def nope from me.

It's very random out of all the villages in Fife😂

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