With its bustling market towns and quaint villages the Scottish Borders is popular with tourists. However, the area's strong sense of community and good quality schooling also make it a great place for families to live. Many people already commute by road from the Borders to Edinburgh and a new train line due to open in 2015 is set to make the commute even easier, no doubt bumping up house prices in the area.
Situated in the village of Clovenfords, close to Galashiels, Vinery Park is a Barratt Homes development of 70 detached and semi-detached three- and four-bedroom family properties. New homes at Vinery Park range from £154,995 to £249,995 and include the ‘Ascot' house type. Priced from £224,995, this four-bedroom detached villa boasts a formal lounge, dining room, breakfasting kitchen with dining area, a study, two en suites and a garage. The village itself offers a tranquil pace of life with local amenities including a hotel with bar and restaurant, a rugby club and Barony Castle, which has a swimming pool and spa. Families with young children will find the site falls into the catchment area for the recently opened Clovenfords Primary School.
Persimmon Homes has something to suit families of all shapes and sizes at its Melrose Gait development in Galashiels. Two-bedroom apartments are available here from £103,950, while a five-bedroom detached house with garage will set you back £226,950. The housebuilder also has a selection of three- and four-bedroom properties available at the site, which is located in the Stable Gardens area of the town. For example, the ‘Barnton' house type is a three-bedroom end-terrace home costing £157,950 and comprising a lounge, kitchen, downstairs WC, master bedroom with en suite shower room, two further bedrooms and a family bathroom. Properties at this scheme have been specifically designed to complement their surroundings in the Scottish Borders and the exact house styles at Melrose Gait haven't been made available elsewhere.
Kingsmeadow is a Taylor Wimpey development with a range of three- and four-bedroom homes on the market. The site is located within easy reach of Peebles town centre and its great choice of shops, restaurants, pubs and other leisure facilities. Currently available homes at Kingsmeadow include the ‘Silkwood' house type, which is priced from £320,000. This four-bedroom detached home includes a formal living room, dining room, kitchen and garden room as well as having a master bedroom with en-suite, utility room and integral double garage.