Glenrothes in Fife, Scotland, was recently crowned the UK’s most affordable town for families, according to property website Zoopla, due to its combination of low house prices and high average salaries
Searching for a home in Scotland can be quite the daunting task. There are numerous factors to consider when deciding where to put down roots. For many, affordability is the key determinant when exploring potential living locations. Most of us aspire to live in the most appealing place that our budget allows.
Glenrothes in Fife was recently hailed as the UK’s most affordable town for families. Property website Zoopla identified it as the top choice for growing families seeking affordability coupled with a high quality of life. Affordability was calculated by the experts by comparing the average cost of a three-bedroom house with the average local salary.
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Glenrothes clinched the top spot due to the average price of a three-bedroom property in the town being a mere £136,900. Situated in central Fife, Glenrothes has a population of around 40,000. It ranks as the third-largest settlement in Fife by population, and the 18th largest in Scotland.
Glenrothes’ history traces back to the post-World War Two period. It was established as the second new town in Scotland, designed to boost economic growth in the heart of Fife.
The town was initially developed to provide housing, industries, and infrastructure to support the growth of local collieries. However, following the decline of the mining industry in Fife, which had provided a significant number of jobs, Glenrothes’ economy diversified.
Today, Glenrothes serves as the administrative hub of Fife, housing the headquarters of Fife Council. It also stands as a significant service and employment centre in the region.
The town is renowned for its advanced electronics and manufacturing industries, alongside its public art initiatives. Over 100 artworks are scattered throughout Glenrothes, some harking back to the 1960s.
Among the numerous public art installations are the concrete hippos sprinkled around the town and its colossal mushroom sculptures. Additionally, vibrant murals adorn walkways and underpasses, reports the Daily Record.
When it comes to local attractions, Glenrothes is perhaps most famous for its array of parks. Riverside Park is particularly popular, boasting expansive woodland areas, grassy playing fields, and wetlands.
Elsewhere, Gilvenbank Park offers a picturesque green space complete with a football pitch, playground, and cricket square.
For history enthusiasts, one of the prime destinations in Glenrothes is the Balbirnie Stone Circle. Situated on the town’s outskirts, it comprises eight large stones arranged in a circle and is believed to be thousands of years old.
In terms of retail therapy, the Kingdom Shopping Centre forms the commercial heart of Glenrothes. This indoor retail and commercial complex ranks among the largest single-level indoor shopping centres in all of Scotland.
The Kingdom Shopping Centre boasts a plethora of high-street brands including JD Sports, New Look, Sports Direct, and Game. The centre also hosts an array of food and beverage outlets such as Costa Coffee, Baynes, Fife Butchers, and Subway.
Glenrothes offers a wide selection of eateries and coffee shops. Notable mentions include The Madhouse Bakery coffee shop, The Fettykil Fox gastropub, and the Beijing Banquet Chinese restaurant.