With the celebrations of a New Year comes, naturally, a load of begrudgingly-made New Year’s resolutions. And with New Year’s resolutions comes pledges that this is the year we reach for a better quality of life, whether that be doing something fulfilling, enjoying extra time outdoors or saving up a bit of dosh.
If you’re really committed to your self-improvement targets, then packing up and moving to an entirely new city might be on your tick-list. And while moving to the famously-delightful likes of London, Bristol or Edinburgh might seem appealing, it’s worth knowing that there are better value options out there.
But where should you be considering for a move this year? To find out, estate agents Savills and the Telegraph burrowed through a tonne of data from the Office of National Statistics to reveal which UK city delivers the most bang for your buck in 2024.
And the city offering the best value? That’d apparently be none other than Dunfermline in Scotland. The Telegraph revealed that the ancient Scottish capital, which is just a 30-ish-minute train ride from Edinburgh and was only recently granted city status for the Platty Joobs in 2022, boasts affordable house prices, a broad range of career options and an average household income of around £56,000.
The newspaper said that while Aberdeen is slightly more affordable, its job options are mostly limited by its reliance on the oil and gas industry. And, of course, quality of life isn’t all about money. According to the Telegraph, Dunfermline is teeming with plenty of wildlife and cultural options that are ‘good for the soul’. Dunfermline Abbey peaks over the city’s skyline, while there’s also the thriving woodland of Pittencrieff Park.
A short drive away from Auld Grey Toun, there’s also the national training site for waterskiing and wakeboarding and Aberdour Silver Sands Beach, where many hardy locals head in their wetsuits to ‘go for a dook’.
On top of all of that, Dunfermline has an Art Deco former fire station bustling with artists and craftspeople, eclectic retail and food options and a ‘lively open mic scene’. We don’t know about you, but a move sure sounds tempting.
Saving money with Time Out
Times are tough and talk of the UK’s cost-of-living crisis is unavoidable. At Time Out we appreciate that everyone is looking for ways to cut costs without sacrificing our quality of life – so take a look at our top ten easy ways to save on energy bills, our guide to doing London on a budget, the best things to do in London for free, how to explore Edinburgh without spending a dime or our advice for saving money at the movies.
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