Falkirk, Bathgate, Livingston? Are they about the same?
Discussion
Hello again, still doing research using the fantastic SIMD map that was sent to me by another PH'er. THANK YOU. I'm thinking about renting 3-6 months to get the touristy stuff done before I buy a place, but when I do buy I want to settle in a good location that is about equal distance by rail and/or bus between Edinburgh and Glasgow. I could lecture at any college, so I would like to be within traveling distance. I am an author, so I won't be working outside of the house unless I'm lecturing. I don't mind the travel time. It will be great leaving the car here and just traveling by rail or bus mostly. What do you think of Falkirk, Bathgate, Kirkliston, Livingston, Broxburn? Let me know what your preferences are. I'm not a clubber or a party girl, just an average person who walks, rides horses, bikes, writes, cooks, and likes history. THANK YOU in advance.
Falkirk - Some parts ok some not.
Bathgate - Its just depressing. Its an old mining town
Armadale - Another old mining town
Livingston - Built in the 1960s as a 'new town' to rehouse people from Glasgow and Edinburghs slum clearances as they knocked down ancient old tennement buildings. Has a good shopping centre(mall)
Kirkliston- Small, quite nice but its on the edge of Edinburgh international airports approches or departures depending on wind direction. Lots of planes day and night.
Winchburgh - Lots of newly built houses and iirc its getting a train station at some point.
Linlithgow - Nice, pretty well situated for getting to most of central scotland. Good schools
Dunblane - nice well situated for commuting
Bathgate - Its just depressing. Its an old mining town
Armadale - Another old mining town
Livingston - Built in the 1960s as a 'new town' to rehouse people from Glasgow and Edinburghs slum clearances as they knocked down ancient old tennement buildings. Has a good shopping centre(mall)
Kirkliston- Small, quite nice but its on the edge of Edinburgh international airports approches or departures depending on wind direction. Lots of planes day and night.
Winchburgh - Lots of newly built houses and iirc its getting a train station at some point.
Linlithgow - Nice, pretty well situated for getting to most of central scotland. Good schools
Dunblane - nice well situated for commuting
If you want to be within walking or cycling distance of the main Edinburgh - Glasgow train line (15 minute frequency each way every day) then Linlithgow, Polmont and Falkirk High are good. Linlithgow is 'posher' and is more expensive but is a very nice town. Polmont isn't bad, some nicer new-builds but is a bit commuter-villa and not far away from Falkirk or Linlithgow but not so close as you'd walk for town-like amenities (coffee shop, shops etc). Falkirk is ok if you pick the nicer bits. There are two stations in Falkirk, Falkirk High is the one with the most frequent connections, the other is on a spur that goes to Stirling so won't be any good if you want to go to Glasgow.
If Glasgow is important, think about somewhere near Croy station (Kilsyth / Cumbernauld) - it is the furthest out but still within the SPT travel zone so tickets are significantly cheaper from there to Glasgow. Croy itself is a park and ride station with lots of new builds around it so little in the way of 'village' feel.
If you don't mind taking a car to the station and aren't too bothered about being on the doorstep of shops, many of the little villages and hamlets around are nice. We are near Dollar, which is fairly central and lots of horses and stables around us. Our closest station is Alloa but the frequency isn't great from there (I always go to Falkirk High to get the train - 15 mins away), but we are 15 mins from Stirling and about 30-35 from each of Edinburgh and Glasgow and Perth. Around here, traffic congestion simply isn't a thing.
If Glasgow is important, think about somewhere near Croy station (Kilsyth / Cumbernauld) - it is the furthest out but still within the SPT travel zone so tickets are significantly cheaper from there to Glasgow. Croy itself is a park and ride station with lots of new builds around it so little in the way of 'village' feel.
If you don't mind taking a car to the station and aren't too bothered about being on the doorstep of shops, many of the little villages and hamlets around are nice. We are near Dollar, which is fairly central and lots of horses and stables around us. Our closest station is Alloa but the frequency isn't great from there (I always go to Falkirk High to get the train - 15 mins away), but we are 15 mins from Stirling and about 30-35 from each of Edinburgh and Glasgow and Perth. Around here, traffic congestion simply isn't a thing.
The main trainline between Edinburgh and Glasgow is massively better than the Bathgate / Airdrie line. More trains, more capacity, running later and earlier, and faster. The train is expensive, but is far faster than getting the bus or driving into city centres.
For towns, I live in Linlithgow, and used to stay in Broxburn/Uphall. I moved here so I could get to Edinburgh to work (15 mins on the train), and occasionally go to Glasgow (about 35 mins). Linlithgow is generally a great place to stay, with lots of coffee shops, restaurants, independent shops, a loch and surrounding countryside for walks, loads of community stuff going on, and fantastic rail links to Edinburgh and Glasgow. There are some big shops (Sainsburys, Tesco, Aldi, B&M), which is a big miss in some other smaller towns (Broxburn, Winchburgh). Near to Beecraigs / Muiravonside for walks / mountain biking. Lots of great road cycling in the countryside nearby too.
South Queensferry is also really nice, and has good links to get to Edinburgh, but not so good for Glasgow.
Places further afield, like Dunblane and Bridge of Allan are also decent, but further away for commuting, and can be expensive as well.
Stirling might be a good shout too - plenty to do there, good rail links, loads of history, and feels more like a big town than a city.
For towns, I live in Linlithgow, and used to stay in Broxburn/Uphall. I moved here so I could get to Edinburgh to work (15 mins on the train), and occasionally go to Glasgow (about 35 mins). Linlithgow is generally a great place to stay, with lots of coffee shops, restaurants, independent shops, a loch and surrounding countryside for walks, loads of community stuff going on, and fantastic rail links to Edinburgh and Glasgow. There are some big shops (Sainsburys, Tesco, Aldi, B&M), which is a big miss in some other smaller towns (Broxburn, Winchburgh). Near to Beecraigs / Muiravonside for walks / mountain biking. Lots of great road cycling in the countryside nearby too.
South Queensferry is also really nice, and has good links to get to Edinburgh, but not so good for Glasgow.
Places further afield, like Dunblane and Bridge of Allan are also decent, but further away for commuting, and can be expensive as well.
Stirling might be a good shout too - plenty to do there, good rail links, loads of history, and feels more like a big town than a city.
biggles330d said:
There are two stations in Falkirk, Falkirk High is the one with the most frequent connections, the other is on a spur that goes to Stirling so won't be any good if you want to go to Glasgow.
You can get to Glasgow from both Falkirk High and Falkirk Grahamston stations on a direct train. Services changed a couple of years ago, it is quicker from Falkirk High though. THANK YOU everyone. I'm an author, and I stay at home most of the time either reading, writing, working out, or just hanging with the dogs. I'm not really all that exciting. I will be volunteering with the Bethany Christian Trust and hope to even open a thrift store for them, or find a way to bring attention and awareness for them in the area. I look forward to meeting new friends. If you're interested in writing to me you can do at jude.stringfellow@gmail.com I would welcome new friends online and perhaps meet up for coffee or tea when I get there. Thanks again for your help.
The BCT already operate in most of the areas you are looking at.
Yet another charity shop will not be worth your time.
Just in Linlithgow. Theres Oxfam, Cancer research and the red cross on the high street with Marie curie and tge local churches, rotary, round table and many more doing pop up type things all the time.
Most of the high streets have more than 1 charity shop already. The supermarkets have clothing bins for the salvation army etc.
We get more clothing collection bags through our door for door step collection than we have clothes.
Yet another charity shop will not be worth your time.
Just in Linlithgow. Theres Oxfam, Cancer research and the red cross on the high street with Marie curie and tge local churches, rotary, round table and many more doing pop up type things all the time.
Most of the high streets have more than 1 charity shop already. The supermarkets have clothing bins for the salvation army etc.
We get more clothing collection bags through our door for door step collection than we have clothes.
sherman said:
The BCT already operate in most of the areas you are looking at.
Yet another charity shop will not be worth your time.
Just in Linlithgow. Theres Oxfam, Cancer research and the red cross on the high street with Marie curie and tge local churches, rotary, round table and many more doing pop up type things all the time.
Most of the high streets have more than 1 charity shop already. The supermarkets have clothing bins for the salvation army etc.
We get more clothing collection bags through our door for door step collection than we have clothes.
When life gives you lemons...Yet another charity shop will not be worth your time.
Just in Linlithgow. Theres Oxfam, Cancer research and the red cross on the high street with Marie curie and tge local churches, rotary, round table and many more doing pop up type things all the time.
Most of the high streets have more than 1 charity shop already. The supermarkets have clothing bins for the salvation army etc.
We get more clothing collection bags through our door for door step collection than we have clothes.
JString1 said:
Hello again, still doing research using the fantastic SIMD map that was sent to me by another PH'er. THANK YOU. I'm thinking about renting 3-6 months to get the touristy stuff done before I buy a place, but when I do buy I want to settle in a good location that is about equal distance by rail and/or bus between Edinburgh and Glasgow. I could lecture at any college, so I would like to be within traveling distance. I am an author, so I won't be working outside of the house unless I'm lecturing. I don't mind the travel time. It will be great leaving the car here and just traveling by rail or bus mostly. What do you think of Falkirk, Bathgate, Kirkliston, Livingston, Broxburn? Let me know what your preferences are. I'm not a clubber or a party girl, just an average person who walks, rides horses, bikes, writes, cooks, and likes history. THANK YOU in advance.
In order of preference :1- Linlithgow, great links, schools. Horsey stuff - our stables are near there. Great history, nice parks / trails (near Scottish National Equestrian Center)
2- Stirling, great links, schools (Sister-in-law teaches at HS), great for history, bike trails, history
3- Broxburn, nearer Edinburgh good bus links, Uphall is nearest station. Pretty much commuter / not much else. Near horsey stuff.
4- Kirkliston & Winchburgh, very similar to Broxburn. Kirliston under flight path, Winchburgh huge commuter expansion. Neither has rail links.
5- Falkirk, ok ish would look at Bo'Ness ahead of Falkirk but that just personal preference. Good bus / Rail links.
6- Livingston. Not a fan, good shops though.
If you need help on the horse side let us know, we can connect you with folks if needed.
Good luck !
Edited by shocks on Friday 25th June 20:54
CraigyMc said:
sherman said:
The BCT already operate in most of the areas you are looking at.
Yet another charity shop will not be worth your time.
Just in Linlithgow. Theres Oxfam, Cancer research and the red cross on the high street with Marie curie and tge local churches, rotary, round table and many more doing pop up type things all the time.
Most of the high streets have more than 1 charity shop already. The supermarkets have clothing bins for the salvation army etc.
We get more clothing collection bags through our door for door step collection than we have clothes.
When life gives you lemons...Yet another charity shop will not be worth your time.
Just in Linlithgow. Theres Oxfam, Cancer research and the red cross on the high street with Marie curie and tge local churches, rotary, round table and many more doing pop up type things all the time.
Most of the high streets have more than 1 charity shop already. The supermarkets have clothing bins for the salvation army etc.
We get more clothing collection bags through our door for door step collection than we have clothes.
Larbert has a decent train station for Edinburgh/Glasgow (30-40 minutes for each), and the car park is free. It is part of Falkirk, but is much nicer than most of it.
The Inches development even has a decent coffee shop now, reasonable houses and it is so easy to get to pretty much everywhere by car or train.
We wanted to move to Linlithgow but when looking, there was barely anything for sale. It wasn't the pricing, there just wasn't anything coming up at the time.
The Inches development even has a decent coffee shop now, reasonable houses and it is so easy to get to pretty much everywhere by car or train.
We wanted to move to Linlithgow but when looking, there was barely anything for sale. It wasn't the pricing, there just wasn't anything coming up at the time.
Yes, I can't get too excited about moving yet until I sell books and know what to expect for income. I will likely be renting for 3-6 months to make my mind up as to which areas are best. That way I can get all my touristy events out of my system. Would anyone care to share how much I'll be paying for utilities, electric, gas, water, garbage, etc. I know there is a council tax based on bands. I just don't know what all it covers. I know I'll need internet and phone service too. Are there other costs? Transport obviously, I won't be driving.
Thank you!!
Thank you!!
Council tax £1200ish per year. In Scotland this includes water and garbage.
Gas and electricity - £100ish combined bill or less per month
Sky tv/broadband and phone line £60 a month depending on your package.
You will need a tv licence too £164 a year
No health insurance unless you want it because of the NHS.
Car insurance and road tax will vary depending on your car.
Gas and electricity - £100ish combined bill or less per month
Sky tv/broadband and phone line £60 a month depending on your package.
You will need a tv licence too £164 a year
No health insurance unless you want it because of the NHS.
Car insurance and road tax will vary depending on your car.
Edited by sherman on Sunday 27th June 00:31
Edited by sherman on Sunday 27th June 01:15
If you live in a nice flat/house in a nice area you may well pay more for council tax & sewerage/water. Even with a 25% discount for single occupancy I pay ~£1800 p.a. - admittedly Glasgow is at the high end of council tax charging.
When you are looking for a temporary flat/house watch out for how it is heated - electric heating will probably cost ~3x as much to run as gas central heating. Depending upon the building, heating system & your energy supply package if you are frugal you can probably get that down to £7-800 p.a.
A reasonably fast fibre broadband & landline package will probably cost you ~£300 p.a. but with phone call costs on top. However, a mobile (cell) sim card with unlimited UK calls/texts & a small amount of data will cost you ~£10 per month.
You quite possibly won't need an additional cable/satellite TV package but for terrestrial TV you will need the aforementioned TV licence £159 p.a. based on a 1-off direct debit, £164 if quarterly DD.
You will need to pay an upfront fee to then be able to access the NHS without charges https://www.nhsinform.scot/care-support-and-rights...
Depending upon where in OK you live our summers are ~20f lower than yours but winter temps possibly similar. Rainfall probably similar too but luckily tornadoes are very infrequent
When you are looking for a temporary flat/house watch out for how it is heated - electric heating will probably cost ~3x as much to run as gas central heating. Depending upon the building, heating system & your energy supply package if you are frugal you can probably get that down to £7-800 p.a.
A reasonably fast fibre broadband & landline package will probably cost you ~£300 p.a. but with phone call costs on top. However, a mobile (cell) sim card with unlimited UK calls/texts & a small amount of data will cost you ~£10 per month.
You quite possibly won't need an additional cable/satellite TV package but for terrestrial TV you will need the aforementioned TV licence £159 p.a. based on a 1-off direct debit, £164 if quarterly DD.
You will need to pay an upfront fee to then be able to access the NHS without charges https://www.nhsinform.scot/care-support-and-rights...
Depending upon where in OK you live our summers are ~20f lower than yours but winter temps possibly similar. Rainfall probably similar too but luckily tornadoes are very infrequent
sherman said:
Council tax £1200ish per year. In Scotland this includes water and garbage.
Gas and electricity - £100ish combined bill or less per month
Sky tv/broadband and phone line £60 a month depending on your package.
You will need a tv licence too £164 a year
No health insurance unless you want it because of the NHS.
Car insurance and road tax will vary depending on your car.
THANK YOU. Gas and electricity - £100ish combined bill or less per month
Sky tv/broadband and phone line £60 a month depending on your package.
You will need a tv licence too £164 a year
No health insurance unless you want it because of the NHS.
Car insurance and road tax will vary depending on your car.
Edited by sherman on Sunday 27th June 00:31
Edited by sherman on Sunday 27th June 01:15
I don't and won't have a car, so there are no worries there. Here I pay $336 a month for the payment, $100 for insurance and $60-70 for gasoline each month. I work from home, so I do save money that way. Still, I'll be released from over $500 a month by not having a car. I'm looking forward to that.
Because I'm an American I won't be under the NHS. I think I'll need to find a health plan that crosses the pond on a daily basis rather than the emergency one I have now. I can visit and use my insurance, but if I live there I will need a new policy.
Thank you for the update on the rest. I didn't know we had to pay a TV license. That's interesting. I really never watch TV other than local or college football and the weather. I use the internet for all the shows I want to watch. I'm hoping I'll get into soccer the way I get into college football here. I don't know that I will, but I hope I do. I will need to support someone / some team not just the national team.
Heidfirst said:
If you live in a nice flat/house in a nice area you may well pay more for council tax & sewerage/water. Even with a 25% discount for single occupancy I pay ~£1800 p.a. - admittedly Glasgow is at the high end of council tax charging.
When you are looking for a temporary flat/house watch out for how it is heated - electric heating will probably cost ~3x as much to run as gas central heating. Depending upon the building, heating system & your energy supply package if you are frugal you can probably get that down to £7-800 p.a.
A reasonably fast fibre broadband & landline package will probably cost you ~£300 p.a. but with phone call costs on top. However, a mobile (cell) sim card with unlimited UK calls/texts & a small amount of data will cost you ~£10 per month.
You quite possibly won't need an additional cable/satellite TV package but for terrestrial TV you will need the aforementioned TV licence £159 p.a. based on a 1-off direct debit, £164 if quarterly DD.
You will need to pay an upfront fee to then be able to access the NHS without charges https://www.nhsinform.scot/care-support-and-rights...
Depending upon where in OK you live our summers are ~20f lower than yours but winter temps possibly similar. Rainfall probably similar too but luckily tornadoes are very infrequent
WHAT? No tornadoes? Well, I guess I'll just have to talk to God for the heck of it then. He and I do a lot of talking during those tornadoes. I've lived in Oklahoma all of my life with the exception of 3 years in Beverly Hills in the 80s and 5 years in Indiana from 2010-2015. I have been through enough bad weather to be done with it. Looking forward to the cooler and more mild climate. I don't mind the rain, I don't mind the cold, I don't mind the snow. It's the wind that kills you in Oklahoma and the heat. When you are looking for a temporary flat/house watch out for how it is heated - electric heating will probably cost ~3x as much to run as gas central heating. Depending upon the building, heating system & your energy supply package if you are frugal you can probably get that down to £7-800 p.a.
A reasonably fast fibre broadband & landline package will probably cost you ~£300 p.a. but with phone call costs on top. However, a mobile (cell) sim card with unlimited UK calls/texts & a small amount of data will cost you ~£10 per month.
You quite possibly won't need an additional cable/satellite TV package but for terrestrial TV you will need the aforementioned TV licence £159 p.a. based on a 1-off direct debit, £164 if quarterly DD.
You will need to pay an upfront fee to then be able to access the NHS without charges https://www.nhsinform.scot/care-support-and-rights...
Depending upon where in OK you live our summers are ~20f lower than yours but winter temps possibly similar. Rainfall probably similar too but luckily tornadoes are very infrequent
THANK YOU for the update on the costs. It is very helpful. I am looking forward to so many things, including living in a good area with safe neighborhoods and good amenities since I won't be driving, I'll be walking and riding the bus. I looked into the costs for transportation and that makes me happy too. I just have to remember to leave on time to get to where I'm going, and to allow for the stops and traffic. Still, I'm pretty excited about it.
The cost of living in Scotland (average) compared to Oklahoma is very similar, we are an inexpensive state. My rent (in dollars) is $680 for a 2 bed, 2 bath apartment, lounge, dining, kitchen, all electric. My electric bill is $125 a month, internet and phone combined is $150 for the fastest speed and lots of channels (my daughter watches them, I don't) and I'll save on food too since I'm only buying for myself.
I went to www.tesco.co.uk and pretended to buy a month's worth of food to see what it would cost. I was spending almost exactly the same amount and getting almost the same things. I am truly excited about the move overall. Rather sad I won't be able to bring my horse, but to be honest I wouldn't be able to get to the barn easily, not every day, and he'll be loved and cared for here. He's an American Mustang, and I ride Western, so I'm not even sure if there is a barn that would accept us.
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