Why not split the distance?

Savvy commuters should be looking in the Central Belt, says Kirsty Mcluckie

While Glasgow and Edinburgh are rightly seen as the hubs of commerce, culture and jobs in southern Scotland, those looking to relocate could do worse than to base their search somewhere in between the two cities.

Along the M8 corridor, there is a lot going on. This month sees the launch of the Falkirk Gateway project, an ambitious development encompassing an expansion of the Forth Valley College Campus.

Eurocentral, 12 miles east of Glasgow and 30 miles west of Edinburgh, is one of the biggest employers in the area and is set to grow in importance in the next few years.

Even for those working in the cities, living close to the M8, M9 and M80 creates the opportunity to commute to either coast, and many household choose locations such as Linlithgow, Livingston, Cumbernauld and Falkirk to keep their future career options open.

Housebuilders have responded, and the massive project at Heartlands, Whitburn is creating hundreds of homes.

The development forms part of one of Europe’s biggest regeneration projects and aims to create a new residential, retail, business and leisure destination.

Bellway is among the developers building at Heartlands. With prices from £133,995, the company is offering three and four-bedroomed homes at the site.

0 How the streets will look at Cala’s Kinnaird Oaks development in Larbert.

Larbert has also seen an expansion and this week, Cala Homes (West) launched the first release of homes at Kinnaird Oaks.

A selection of 61 four and fivebedroomed properties will be available priced from £314,000.

Liana Canavan, sales and marketing director for Cala Homes (West), says: “The development is the ideal base for families and commuters looking to join a closeknit community in the Forth valley region, offering a combination of practical living and close-by amenities.” Kinnaird Oaks is just ten miles from Stirling, and it is convenient for both Glasgow and Edinburgh with good motorway and train links.

Barratt Homes’ Buchanan Gardens development is next to Livingston’s village centre and offers excellent transport links.

Livingston is 13 miles west of Edinburgh which is accessible by rail and road, with a journey time of around 25 minutes by train.

Anne Ross, sales director for Barratt Homes East Scotland, says: “The properties in Livingston offer incredible value for money, especially when compared to homes in central Edinburgh, with more indoor space and the advantages of a garden.”