The Best Areas to Live in Dundee

Dundee has a population of just under 150,000, making it a small and compact city which still has plenty of attractions. For a smaller city, there’s a diverse range of areas to live in, so whether you prefer city centre living, or want to live in one of Dundee’s suburbs, there’s something for you. We’ve put together a guide to the best areas to live in Dundee to help you decide where to focus your property search.
 
1, Broughty Ferry
Broughty Ferry is a popular suburb of Dundee, located four miles east of the city. This pretty seaside town sits on the north bank of the Firth of Tay, with spectacular views over the water to Fife. Although it was once a separate burgh in its own right, it was incorporated into the city of Dundee in 1913.

The Ferry, as it’s commonly known, was once a favourite haunt of the city’s jute barons who built their mansions and villas here. Many of these properties are still on the market today, and could be a great option for families who are looking to live in a quiet suburb that’s close to all the amenities of the city.

There are other housing options in the Ferry as well, including new-build detached homes and waterfront flats, so there really is something for everyone. Broughty Ferry is a commutable distance from Dundee, with regular bus links as well as a train service to Dundee and Edinburgh.
 
2, Menzieshill
Menzieshill is another popular area to buy a house in Dundee. It’s located to the west of the city centre, which is easily reached by bus in around 20 minutes.

Ninewells Hospital is roughly a 10 minute walk from the Menzieshill area, making it a good choice for those who are working in the hospital. The area can roughly be split into two parts, with the western part mostly consisting of council housing, and the eastern part of Menzieshill made up of private housing.

The private housing options are varied, with everything from terraced houses to modern flats. It’s a great choice for couples and young professionals looking to take their first steps onto the property ladder.
 
3, West End
If you want to live in the centre of Dundee rather than one of its suburbs, then the West End is a fantastic choice. This affluent residential area boasts many beautiful Edwardian homes, making it ideal for families.

The main campus of the University of Dundee is situated in the West End, so it’s also a good choice for young people looking to move to the area, particularly Perth Road and Blackness.

The recently developed Cultural Quarter sits between the boundary of the city centre and the West End. This area is home to the Dundee Repertory Theatre, the Whitehall Theatre, the Dundee Science Centre and Dundee Contemporary Arts building, so if you choose to buy a house in the West End, you’ll have a wealth of cultural attractions right on your doorstep.

The West End is also home to some of Dundee’s best green spaces, including Magdalen Green, which is the city’s oldest park and has an iconic bandstand which plays host to regular Sunday afternoon concerts during the summer months.
 
4, Lochee
Lochee is located to the west of Dundee. Once a separate town, it was incorporated into the expanding Dundee during the 19th century. The area is famous as the home of the Camperdown Works, which was once the largest jute production site in the world. The factory’s 282 foot high brick chimney, known as Cox’s Stack, still stands to this day and it’s Scotland’s tallest surviving industrial chimney. You can see the chimney stack as you approach Dundee from the south, crossing the River Tay.

The area of Lochee has a strong industrial past, which has created a strong sense of community for its residents. This close-knit suburb is a good place to look if you’re a first-time buyer looking to buy a one or two bedroom flat, or a couple looking for a modest detached or semi-detached house. The High Street in particular is a good location to look for studio apartments and flats.
 
5, Tayport
Tayport, less commonly known as Ferry-Port on Craig, is a popular commuter town for Dundee, located just across the River Tay. It’s a great choice for commuters who work in Dundee but want to live outside of the city centre, as well as for those who work elsewhere in Fife, but still want easy access to Dundee. The town is just a 20 minute drive from St Andrews, 20 minutes from Cupar, and around 35 minutes from the picturesque towns of the East Neuk of Fife.

In less than 10 minutes from Tayport by car, you can reach Tentsmuir Nature Reserve and Tentsmuir Forest, a huge area of outstanding natural beauty with woodland, sand dunes and heathland to explore. Such easy access makes Tayport the perfect choice for active families, couples and young people, although there are places to enjoy nature in Tayport itself. The East and West Common are large areas of parkland, and Tayport Harbour is a great spot for fishing and observing the bottlenose dolphins which visit between March and September.

There’s a wide choice of property in Tayport, including modern flats, large detached family homes and modest terraced houses.