Falkirk’s strong links to Edinburgh make it one of the UK’s top up-and-coming places to buy, with Aberdeen also featured on the list.
Falkirk, known for its iconic monuments, is considered as one of the most promising places in Scotland for first-time home buyers.
The town, located less than 20 minutes from Glasgow by train, featured on a list of the most “up-and-coming” areas for aspiring homeowners created by Halifax in 2023.
It was one of just two Scottish spots to make the cut, with Aberdeen also singled out as a top location for those looking to get onto the property ladder, Scottish Daily Express reports.
The analysis focused on local authority areas where average house purchase prices were lower than the wider region, highlighting potential hotspots offering better value for money.
Halifax also factored in survey findings on buyer priorities such as access to green spaces, transport links, good schools and local regeneration projects, all important for those taking their first step into homeownership.
In Falkirk, the average house price was £165,511, around 12 per cent less than the wider area at the time of the survey.
Aberdeen’s average stood at £173,061, which was eight per cent lower than surrounding locations, making both towns attractive options for buyers seeking affordability alongside quality of life.
Falkirk’s appeal lies not only in affordability but also in its strong transport connections. Trains to Glasgow Queen Street take just 19 minutes, while Edinburgh is also within easy reach with journeys lasting between 25 and 30 minutes.
By car, both cities can be reached in under an hour, offering flexibility for commuters and access to urban amenities.
The town is also home to major landmarks that add to its charm, including the Kelpies, two 30-metre high horse head sculptures that are part of the Helix Park development.
Another standout attraction is the Falkirk Wheel, the world’s only rotating boat lift, which connects the Forth and Clyde Canal with the Union Canal and is a popular draw for tourists and locals alike.
The data, originally published in 2023, reflected a shifting mindset among young adults amid the cost-of-living crisis.
According to Halifax, 61 per cent of under-35s who hadn’t yet bought a home said they were willing to move to a different part of the country to secure a property.
Nearly half said they were researching areas they wouldn’t have considered before, highlighting how affordability is reshaping housing decisions.
Kim Kinnaird, mortgages director at Halifax, said: “Despite fluctuating house prices, the desire to buy a first home isn’t going away, with almost nine in 10 young people keen to get on the property ladder.
“There’s an appetite from under-35s to consider more affordable areas further afield, so we’ve identified up-and-coming locations that prospective first-time buyers might do well to look into.”
Other areas named in the top ten included Kingston upon Hull, Middlesbrough, Neath Port Talbot, Derry City and Strabane, Blackburn with Darwen, Telford and Wrekin, Ipswich and Eastbourne.
Halifax did not rank the areas in any particular order, instead encouraging buyers to weigh up their own priorities before deciding where to settle.
