s1homes introduces the last of six blog posts, to find out what it’s like to live in some of the best places across Scotland.
If you do like to be beside the seaside – but need to be close to a city for work – the southern half of the Kingdom of Fife is well worth considering, sitting as it does within sight of the capital. The ancient kingdom is arguably best known for its picturesque East Neuk.
Further south, however, is a smattering of coastal towns and villages, which sit just north of the iconic Forth Bridge and gaze across the River Forth to the city of Edinburgh.
Of these a stand-out area is Dalgety Bay.
Described as a new town, it was built on the old Donibristle Estate of the Earl of Moray and last year celebrated its 50th birthday. Over the decades it has grown into an established and much-loved place to live. It’s popular with young families and retired folks alike, many of whom have moved into the area from elsewhere.
The edge of the town has an estate that’s home to manufacturing and hi-tech companies, responsible for attracting investment to the area. The influx of new residents has also given the town a vibrancy and a cosmopolitan vibe, which belies its small size and semi-rural location.
In terms of amenities, there are two supermarkets with another soon to open, as well as neighbourhood stores. For those who love to keep fit, there’s a busy sports centre and, for the nautical but nice, a sailing club.
The town is fringed with country walks – one will take you to the neighbouring village of Aberdour, which boasts not one, but two, charming beaches. Remember to pack your bucket and spade with the picnic!
Two local primary schools make Dalgety Bay ideal for young families, while the centre of the community has a hub of buildings that includes a police station, a GP surgery, a library and a landscaped complex of small shops and businesses.
For those who love eating out – and who doesn’t it? – there’re fabulous places to go. These include Louie Brown’s Bar, a popular meeting place that serves everything from Sunday Roast to Afternoon Tea with a glass of bubbly.
Sloping as it does down towards the water, the town’s geography means many properties enjoy impressive river views.
The average price of around £190,000 ranges from bungalows and flats to houses. There’re also pockets of lovely, affordable terraced homes and several swish waterfront apartment buildings – so there really is something for every taste and budget.
The area is well-connected by road and rail. For train travel, Dalgety Bay is on the Fife Circle line and has regular trains to Edinburgh, which makes it a popular choice for commuters.
If you always dreamed of a life by the seaside, this really could be for you.