Scottish city crowned ‘best value’ in UK with low property prices and green spaces

A Scottish city has just been named as the “best value” in the UK, and it is neither Edinburgh or Glasgow.

With property prices prohibitively high in most cities, people looking to live amidst the hustle and bustle are limited for choice unless they have a very high budget. This has meant that many households are simply unable to afford to live in Scotland’s biggest cities.

However, some of the smaller and less famous cities across the nation offer just as much shopping, culture, and food options — and at a far lower cost.

Research carried out by The Telegraph and property site Savills has revealed which UK cities deliver the most bang for your buck in 2024. Experts considered factors such as house prices, the ratio of property costs to household income, and culture and amenities when choosing the best cities to live in this year.

Coming in at number one on The Telegraph and Savills’ list, and the only Scottish city to feature, is Dunfermline. The Fife destination is situated around three miles from the northern shore of the Firth of Forth and has a population of approximately 60,000 people.

Dunfermline is known for being the newest city in Scotland, formally being awarded the status in 2022, though in ancient times it was actually the country’s capital. According to The Telegraph and Savills, the average house price in the city is £206,900, while the average household income is £56,225.

Commenting on Dunfermline’s number one placing, The Telegraph wrote: “Scotland’s ancient capital comes top of The Telegraph’s list of best value cities. Although Aberdeen has marginally more affordable homes and a slightly more favourable house price to income ratio, it is a city dependent on the oil and gas industry – limiting its career options.”

Among the highlights of the city according to the newspaper are its green spaces such as Pittencrieff Park and Townhill Country Park, as well as Town Loch. The latter is known for being a hotspot for watersports, while the stunning Aberdour Silver Sands beach is also just a short drive out of the city.

Elsewhere, Dunfermline was praised for its “buzzing scene of independent businesses and makers”. The Telegraph singled out the Fire Station Creative venue — which is home to art studios, galleries, a cafe, and more — as well as the The Secret Door antique store and 269 Vegan bakery.

Other UK cities to be named among the best value include Leeds, Derby, and Exeter. The full list of the UK’s best value cities can be found on The Telegraph website.

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