No ties so where to live in Scottish Borders?

gwynlas

We are seriously considering moving to border area and would like to be within 3/4 hour travelling distance of either Glasgow or Edinburgh. Like coastal and country views, both drive in 55/65 age bracket ,prefer access to range of shopping facilities. Might consider living north of either city with similar access times aware that distance is relative given state of roads time of year etc.
Budget preferably under 250,000 for detached property have seen modern bungalows and traditional villas that appeal. Prepared to rent initially both to explore areas and be cash purchasers. Can forum readers suggest where to look giving valid reasons to cover points above?

BigAunty

Balloch and the surrounding areas around Loch Lomond which is north of Glasgow - 40 minute drive to Glasgow, great scenery, direct train line to Glasgow city centre and west end, about 50 min train journey to city centre.

Not sure of property prices but as its near a national park and on the way to the Highlands, it could be out of your price range.

People rave about areas of Glasgow like Bearsden (very affluent and v.expensive) and Milngavie (start of the West Highland way walk) for their proximity to the countryside, ease of getting to local or national country parks. Again, short drive to Glasgow and on bus/train routes, too, I believe. Don't have personal experience of visiting them, just know them by reputation as quite suburbs, popular with the auld folk.

clark24

I live in the Borders (Melrose area).

Avoid Hawick, Galashiels and Jedburgh (all going downhill fast but shops are good, just wouldn't live there)

St Boswells, Melrose, Peebles are lovely.

Earlston is ok, Lauder is alright and not too far from Edinburgh.

You get good value for money in Berwickshire and Eyemouth is lovely as are parts of Duns and Greenlaw but I don't know the area too well.

googler

Sorry, but this is way too vague for any meaningful advice.

Coastal? Eyemouth or thereabouts.

Country? Peebles, Galashiels, Duns.

You say you're happy to north of Edinburgh or Glasgow, but that's not the Borders.....