Understanding the Health Index for High Streets

A nationwide study examined over four hundred UK high streets longer than seven hundred metres. Streets were ranked based on:

• Number of takeaway outlets
• Density of pubs and licensed premises
• Count of vape and sweet shops
• Access to gyms and health facilities
• Air quality ratings

A higher concentration of fast food and alcohol-focused venues, combined with limited healthy amenities, contributed to a lower score.

Union Street at a Glance

Union Street, often called the Granite Mile, stood seventh in Scotland on the list of least healthy high streets.

The ratio of fast food venues to gyms presents a clear challenge for balanced urban health.

Comparison with Other Scottish High Streets

Glasgow dominated the rankings, taking four of the top ten positions. Dumbarton Road and Sauchiehall Street placed first and second. Edinburgh’s George Street also featured, largely due to high alcohol venue density and no gyms on record. Ayr, Linlithgow, and Coatbridge were also listed.

Union Street’s position reflects broader trends in Scotland’s city centres: legacy commercial streets are struggling to balance long-standing hospitality culture with modern wellbeing priorities.

Why Urban Environment Matters

High streets influence daily decisions. A street saturated with quick-service food, confectionery, and alcohol can make healthy routines more difficult to maintain. Public health experts caution that communities dominated by such businesses show higher correlations with lifestyle-related health risks, including heart disease, diabetes, and obesity.

With one in three adults in Scotland currently classed as obese, the design of our high streets is part of a much wider public health conversation.

Toward a Healthier Aberdeen City Centre

We recognise the challenges faced by Union Street, yet we also see enormous potential. Aberdeen has already begun exploring transformation initiatives that can support health and economic vibrancy.

Key priorities that can drive improvement

• Encouraging balanced retail by promoting independent cafes, fresh food outlets, and wellness services
• Strengthening access to leisure facilities and active travel networks
• Supporting green and public spaces to increase walkability and community use
• Incentivising businesses aligned with long-term community wellbeing
• Protecting heritage while enabling modern mixed-use development

Revitalisation does not require removing hospitality culture. Instead, it involves balancing it with health-focused options that reflect the needs of residents, students, and city centre workers.

Community Role and Local Vision

Sustainable change comes from collaboration between:

• Local authorities and planners
• Public health organisations
• Business owners and property stakeholders
• Residents and community groups

Recent council commitments to reimagine Union Street give encouraging signs that the future may include wider pedestrian use, greenery, cultural spaces, and improved cycling and public transport infrastructure.

Taxi Travel with Aberdeen Taxis

At Aberdeen Taxis, we’re here to help you get to any location in Aberdeen and the surrounding area safely and on time, so you can sit back, relax, and enjoy experiencing all Aberdeen has to offer.

Don’t worry about finding expensive parking or forgoing some drinks so you can drive to a destination. Book an Aberdeen taxi and let us deal with the stress of getting you back and forward, and even give you a tour of local landmarks

Prebook your Aberdeen Taxi through our convenient platforms:

Call Aberdeen Taxis on 01224 200200

Drop into the Aberdeen Taxis office at 5 Crown Street, Aberdeen AB116HU

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Aberdeen’s Housing Market: A Closer Look

Aberdeen’s housing market offers a unique blend of affordability and quality. The city’s average value of one- and two-bedroom homes is approximately £119,350. For single buyers, this translates to an average monthly mortgage payment of £510, which constitutes about 16% of the area’s average monthly salary of £3,280. This favourable ratio underscores Aberdeen’s position as an accessible market for single homebuyers.

Comparative Affordability Across the UK

While Aberdeen leads in affordability, other cities also present promising opportunities for single buyers:

• Liverpool, England: With an average home value of £130,800, single buyers face monthly mortgage payments of around £540, accounting for 18% of the average monthly salary of £2,980. The Guardian
• Glasgow, Scotland: Homes are valued at an average of £152,270, leading to monthly payments of £650, which is 21% of the average monthly income of £3,100. Property Industry Eye
• Sheffield, England: Here, the average property value stands at £156,990, with monthly mortgage payments of £640, representing 20% of the average monthly salary of £3,140. Property Industry Eye

Factors Influencing Aberdeen Being Named the Most Affordable City in the UK for Single Homebuyers

Several elements contribute to Aberdeen’s status as the most affordable city for single homebuyers:

1. Economic Shifts: Historically, Aberdeen’s economy was heavily reliant on the oil and gas industry. Recent downturns in these sectors have led to a decrease in property demand, subsequently lowering house prices and helping Aberdeen to be Named the Most Affordable City in the UK for single homebuyers. The Scottish Sun
2. Income to House Price Ratio: Aberdeen boasts a favourable house price-to-earnings ratio of 2.5, meaning that homes cost approximately 2.5 times the average local salary. This ratio is significantly lower than the UK average, making homeownership more attainable for single buyers. The Guardian

Challenges in Less Affordable Cities

In contrast, certain cities present substantial challenges for single homebuyers due to higher property prices relative to local incomes:

• London: All boroughs in London have average mortgage payments exceeding £1,000 per month for one- or two-bedroom homes. The least affordable borough, Kensington and Chelsea, has properties averaging £925,870, which is 73% of the average monthly earnings. The Guardian
• Chichester, England: Identified as the least affordable area outside London, Chichester has homes costing an average of 8.5 times the annual earnings of a typical full-time worker. The Guardian

Why Should You Move To Aberdeen?

Aberdeen’s combination of lower property prices and a favourable income-to-house price ratio makes it an attractive option for single individuals looking to enter the housing market. While other cities also offer affordable options, Aberdeen’s unique economic landscape and housing market dynamics provide distinct advantages for prospective single homebuyers.

Aberdeen Taxis: Your Partner in Exploring the Granite City

As you consider making Aberdeen your home, reliable transportation becomes essential. Aberdeen Taxis is proud to offer 24/7 service with a fleet of over 150 team members, handling more than 60,000 jobs monthly. We are the appointed taxi company for Aberdeen Airport and Aberdeen Railway Station.

Why Choose Aberdeen Taxis?

• Availability: Our services are available around the clock, ensuring you have transportation whenever needed.
• Professionalism: With a large team of experienced drivers, we guarantee a safe and comfortable journey.
• Convenience: Easily book a ride through our website, app, or by calling 01224 200200.

Whether you’re moving to Aberdeen or simply exploring its housing market, Aberdeen Taxis is here to meet your transportation needs.

You can book your Aberdeen Taxi quickly through our convenient platforms:

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Drop into the Aberdeen Taxis office at 5 Crown Street Aberdeen AB116HU

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Whilst there is little any of us can directly do about the above, there are still some steps you can take to save money on your energy and fuel bills. 

Here are Aberdeen Taxis’ top tips for saving money on your bills.  

1. Switch off lights and appliances 

It might seem like a bit of an obvious one, but it can make a real difference to the pennies and pounds that go towards your energy bill.  

Switch to energy-saving lightbulbs like LEDs and turn off lights that are not essential. Extend that philosophy to other appliances in your home and unplug any appliances or even charging cables that you’re not using. Keeping those gadgets on or on standby can waste electricity and in turn, waste YOUR money! According to the Energy Saving Trust just taking your appliances off standby can save you £35 a year.  

2. Reduce your appliance energy consumption 

There are plenty of small ways to reduce your energy consumption that all add up to decent savings come the end of the year. If you usually put your clothes through a 60-degree hot wash, take down the heat to 30 and save on the cash it takes to heat the water to such a degree.  

Once the washing is done consider ditching tumble drying the wet clothes. Tumble dryers guzzle energy, and now we are getting into warmer weather, it’s a perfect excuse to let the clothes see the sun on the line and save yourself some cash. 

You might not know it, but microwaves tend to use much less energy than the oven. So, whenever you can, nuke your food rather than heat up the oven and this could save you as much as £80 each year. 

3. Turn the heating down 

Heating your home is expensive and it’s going to get a lot more expensive from April 2022. Turning down the heat by just 1°C can save you as much as £80 per year on your heating bills according to the comparison website uSwitch. 

It might sound a bit Dickensian, but if you can put up with having the thermostat lower and layer up instead, you could make some significant savings on your energy costs. 

4. Insulate your home and save on your energy bills

It might be a bit boring but insulating your home can make a huge difference to the efficiency of heating your home.

As much as 25% of the heat from your home can leak through your roof. So, padding out your loft can help stop the warmth from escaping, meaning you don’t have to turn the heating on as often. It could save you up to a whopping £130 a year! There is a reason Extinction Rebellion feel so strongly about insulation! 

Other very glamourous energy-saving home improvements include: 

Installing double glazing on your windows 

Draft-proofing your doors and windows  

Insulating the pipes 

Cavity walls insulation

You could save hundreds of pounds a year by spending now on improving your home’s heating efficiency. 

5. Get a smart thermostat 

A smart thermostat allows you to control the temperature of your home and decide how much energy you’re using through your central heating. 

You can use a timer so that the heating turns on when you want it to. 

The temperature can also be set from your phone so you can control your heating remotely, which is handy if you forgot to turn it off while you’re out. 

Save On Your Fuel Bills

To add to the pressure facing UK households this summer, fuel costs have been spiralling. Petrol and diesel are at all-time highs and don’t look like they are going to come down any time soon. Read IT Garage Services guide to being more economical with your fuel for hints and tips to save your car costs.

As ever, you can save filling up the car by calling one of our cabs to get you around Inverness. Whether it be a night out or an important appointment, Aberdeen Taxis will get you there safe and sound and on time. Download the Aberdeen Taxis app or call 01224 200200 to book your Aberdeen cab now!  

You could also become an Inverness Taxi driver now to kick start a new career or start the perfect side hustle! Check out our guide on becoming an Aberdeen taxi driver for more details!

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