What Is Living In Dundee Like? A Guide To Dundee

Last Updated November 2022

Dundee is Scotland’s fourth largest city. A current estimate gives the population of Dundee as 148,280. Dundee is located in the eastern central lowlands on the north of the Firth of Tay. Dundee is labelled as ‘One City, Many Discoveries’ in honour of the scientific discoveries made in the city and the RRS Discovery, the exploration vessel. Dundee feature 2 major football clubs Dundee F.C. and Dundee United F.C. who have stadiums all but adjacent to each other.

 

Dundee has seen significant regeneration, especially with the new waterfront development, along with a cultural quarter and the opening of the modern new V&A museum. This has given the city a much-needed fresh aesthetic and culture. Within the city there is a good selection of shops and facilities, including the Overgate Shopping Centre. There are also some kooky, independent shops and indie markets and pop-up shops happen throughout the year.

Dundee had the lowest employment rate in the UK. The employment rate is 64.1% which is lower than the national average which stands at 74.2%. To meet the national average Dundee would need 10,000 extra jobs.

 

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The population of Dundee is estimated as 148,210. This is a decrease from last year by 0.3%.

 

The Dundee police are part of the wider Tayside Division of Police Scotland, who have strong links to Dundee City Council. Dundee was voted Scotland’s best place to live in recent years thanks to its sense of community and low crime rate.

 

Dundee Keytek Local Locksmith UK Area Guide

 

In more recent times Dundee is known for its more technological industries and actually the city accounts for 10% of the United Kingdom’s digital entertainment industry.

 

Schools in Dundee

There are many schools in Dundee including a great range of primary, secondary, independent and SEND educational settings. Within the catchment area of Dundee you’ll find; Our Lady’s RC Primary School, Rosebank Primary School and Dens Road Primary School are highly rated and popular secondary schools include Grove Academy, St John’s RC High School and Morgan Academy. There is also a few options for further education in Dundee as well, within the area there is; Dundee & Aungus College, University of Dundee and Abertay University and there is the prestigious University of St Andrews only 20 mins away.

 

Shopping in Dundee

Dundee is known as a walkable city, meaning that a large majority of it is pedestrianised and you can walk around without need for transport. You can find all your high-street favourites in the Overgate Shopping Centre and in the Wellgate Shopping Centre featuring a famous 40-year-old nursery rhyme clock. There is also a large public library and a wonderful selection of pop-up shops.

 

Where to Stay in Dundee?

  • Apex City Quay Hotel & Spa
  • Sleeperz Hotel Dundee
  • Hampton by Hilton Dundee
  • Best Western Queens Hotel
  • Malmaison Dundee
  • The Landmark Hotel and Leisure Club
  • Holiday Inn Express Dundee
  • Jolly’s Hotel Wetherspoon
  • Best Western Woodlands Hotel
  • Longforgan Coaching Inn

 

  • Discovery Point
  • Verdant Works
  • The McManus: Dundee’s Art Gallery & Museum
  • The Dundee Law
  • Desperate Dan Statue
  • HMS Unicorn
  • Dundee Museum of Transport
  • Broughty Castle Museum
  • Camperdown Wildlife Centre
  • OOR Wullie Bronze Statue

 

  • Sol y Sombra Tapas Bar
  • Gidi Grill
  • Collinsons Restaurant
  • Piccolo
  • Tahini
  • Brasserie Ecosse
  • The Flame Tree Café
  • Rancho Pancho
  • Gallery 48
  • Pacamara Food & Drink

 

Where is the hospital in Dundee?

Ninewells Hospital is situated on the western outskirts of Dundee. The main entrance is on Ninewells Avenue which runs between Perth Road and Glamis Road.

 

What is the closest airport to Dundee?

The nearest major international airport is Edinburgh Airport, 59.2 miles to the south.

 

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Moving house, broken lock, or had a break-in? No matter the reason you need a locksmith you can arrange a Dundee locksmith to come to your home and carry out a number of services. All of the locksmiths at Keytek Locksmith Dundee are fully mobile and police checked, meaning you can have peace of mind you are getting a trustworthy engineer. All of our locksmiths are fully trained with years of experience and work within British Standard requirements, meaning we can provide a year warrantee. While our emergency locksmith is in attendance they can carry out a home security check free of charge, to make sure you are the safest you can be.

There are many other things you need to consider when moving home so check out our Moving Home Checklist  to help you along the way! If you’re considering improving the security of your home further still, checking out our Ultimate Guide to Home Security here!

View our Keytek® Locksmiths Dundee page to find your local Locksmith today or call us on 01382 767417!

Jessica Davies
Local Area Expert at Keytek Locksmiths

Jessica brings over six years of specialised expertise to Keytek's comprehensive UK location guides, combining meticulous research with genuine local insight. As the architect behind Keytek’s area profiles, she delivers essential intelligence on house prices, crime statistics, schools, and community character—everything you need to know about the city or town. Armed with a photography degree from the University of Brighton and an exhibited portfolio, Jessica approaches each location asking, "What would it be like to live here?" This perspective transforms dry statistics into lived experience, revealing not just what places cost, but what they truly offer. Since 2019, Jessica has partnered with Keytek®'s security professionals, weaving real-world safety expertise into every guide. Her work addresses practical realities: Is this neighbourhood genuinely safe? What security considerations matter? How does local infrastructure support daily life? From bustling cities to quiet villages, Jessica's field research uncovers authentic local character. Her commitment to accuracy and on-the-ground investigation has established her as a trusted voice—helping people navigate different locations across the UK and home security with complete confidence.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Dundee a Nice Place to Live?

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Dundee has seen significant regeneration, especially with the new waterfront development, a cultural quarter, and the opening of the modern V&A museum. This has given the city a fresh aesthetic and cultural feel. Within the city there is a good selection of shops and facilities, including the Overgate Shopping Centre. There are also independent shops, indie markets, and pop-up shops throughout the year.

What Is the Population of Dundee?

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The population of Dundee is estimated at 148,210. This is a decrease of 0.3% from the previous year.

Is Dundee a Safe City?

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Dundee is covered by Police Scotland’s Tayside Division, which has strong links with Dundee City Council. It was voted Scotland’s best place to live in recent years due to its sense of community and low crime rate.

What is Dundee popular for?

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Dundee is known for its technological industries and accounts for around 10% of the United Kingdom’s digital entertainment industry.