The M8 motorway stretches 60 miles across the central belt. Connecting Edinburgh with Glasgow and the port town of Greenock on the Clyde, it’s one of Scotland’s busiest highways. Whether by car or train, commuters can easily traverse the country in an hour. Of course, if you live in West Lothian and North or South Lanarkshire, ease of access to the M8 and M74 road networks – and central belt trains – can make that commute even quicker.
Consequently, while Edinburgh – Scotland’s capital and Glasgow – our largest city are attractive locations to live and work, there are good reasons why prospective home buyers shouldn’t overlook the appeal of living in the many towns and villages on or close to the ‘M8 corridor.’
For example, while the City of Edinburgh continues to command the highest average property price (£325,000 in January 2024) of any local authority, its next-door neighbour of West Lothian may offer greater financial flexibility for buyers. This local authority area, which includes the ancient burgh of Linlithgow and the new town of Livingston (officially designated a New Town in 1962) currently boasts an annual average property price of £215,000 (source – UK House Price Index: Scotland January 2024). Moreover, home sellers in this area will be reassured that over the past 12 months, average property prices in West Lothian have risen 4.1% compared to January 2023.
North Lanarkshire, which incorporates Cumbernauld (another New Town), Airdrie, Wishaw and Motherwell has large population centres. Like West Lothian, it offers potential home buyers a broad spectrum of property types and prices. Compared to January 2023, a year later its average property prices have risen 2.5% (to £138,000) yet it remains one of the most affordable (top 6) local authority areas in which to purchase a property.
South Lanarkshire, one of the largest local authority areas in Scotland is similar to West Lothian in terms of offering a notable mix of urban and rural living and a share of affluent properties. In its catchment, there are the large towns of East Kilbride, Hamilton and Rutherglen and the smaller rural settlement of Biggar. The M74 (and M8) are easily reached by many communities. However, South Lanarkshire is another local authority area that has seen an average uplift in price over the period Jan 2023-January 2024, with an average property commanding a selling price of £166,000 (up 2.9%).
Consequently, from a financial and commuting perspective, there can be good reasons for potential home buyers to consider all three of these local authority areas if work commitments are within Glasgow and Edinburgh or along the M8 corridor. Notably, these areas also offer their fair share of cultural, historical and sporting attractions. For example, aside from plenty of scope to hike, bike and play golf, residents of West Lothian are spoilt for choice with Linlithgow Palace (birthplace of Mary Queen of Scots), Jupiter Artland, 5 Fingers Zoo and Livingston Designer Outlet all within the local authority boundary.
Of course, among their many attractions, North Lanarkshire boasts the impressive and hugely popular Strathclyde Country Park while South Lanarkshire incorporates the Falls of Clyde and New Lanark, an 18th-century cotton spinning village and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Therefore, if you are considering buying a property this year within Scotland’s central belt and you are happy to spread your wings beyond Glasgow and Edinburgh, you may be rewarded by taking the time to explore the many communities and attractions that lie north and south of the M8 and close to the M74.
