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Topic: Stirling or Edinburgh? Which is more cost effective for commuting?  (Read 2312 times)

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Hello everyone! I wasn't quite sure where to put this post, so if you think it would be better off elsewhere, let me know.

I will be attending University of Stirling in the fall for my master's degree. My husband and I have had lots of chats about whether we want to live in Edinburgh and have me commute (class is 3 days a week) or live in Stirling, which would allow him to commute to either Glasgow or Edinburgh for a job. It seems to me that living in Stirling would save us a good amount of money, but I'm not sure if the cost of commuting (whether by car or train, we haven't really decided on that yet) 5 days a week would make that bit we save pointless.

What do you all think? And should the cultural value of living in Edinburgh outweigh any savings value of living in Stirling?

A side note: We hope to make this a permanent move (depending on the job situation of course), so, theoretically, we could always move to the city after I finish my degree.

Thanks!


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Re: Stirling or Edinburgh? Which is more cost effective for commuting?
« Reply #1 on: February 28, 2014, 12:42:37 PM »
A few things, I guess:
The walk from the stirling train station to the Uni is at least a half hour... Something to think about - what may seem like a simple commute from edinburgh to stirling could end up taking you quite a while.
Have you factored the cost of car insurance into your plans? It will be very expensive if you're on a US license or a new UK license. There are a few other things as well that make owning and running a car far more expensive in the UK.
Housing will be much cheaper in stirling, you're right.
Personally, I'd see where my husband got a job and then settle there.

I'm in edinburgh and have lived I scotland for quite a while if you have more questions.

Sorry I couldn't be more helpful!
Sept 2001 - June 2006: studied at the University of Glasgow and the University of Strathclyde
Aug 2010 - Dec 2010: in UK on holiday visa
Jan 2011: issued fiancée visa
July 2011: issued FLR(M)
March 2012: DD1
June 2013: issued ILR
November 2013: DD2


Re: Stirling or Edinburgh? Which is more cost effective for commuting?
« Reply #2 on: February 28, 2014, 04:20:07 PM »
Thanks for the feedback. It looks like they actually have a bus onto campus that picks up near the train station, so I don't think that part would be too bad.

As far as waiting for hubby to find a job before we decide, I don't think that's feasible. We don't have anyone to stay with (we have a friend in Edinburgh, but their space is pretty tight with her husband and two kids), so we will need to find a place when we get there, if not before.

I really am leaning toward living in Edinburgh; I've heard so many great things about it. If we can find a place pretty near the train station, I don't think I'd mind the commute. At least it would give me time to study.


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Re: Stirling or Edinburgh? Which is more cost effective for commuting?
« Reply #3 on: February 28, 2014, 04:31:23 PM »
nationalrail.co.uk will give you an idea on the cost of train travel.  A one month pass from Edinburgh to Stirling will be about £220 ($370).  If you don't need to travel at peak times and only 3 days a week, you would save by purchasing daily tickets.


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