If you like or love where you live?

[iusedtobecool]

Where is it? We are currently in a 2 bed flat in Edinburgh by the beach. Mostly like the area, but we need more space as we now have a toddler and baby. Can't afford the house prices here, and are really looking for adetatched house with garden, drive way etc.

Also, thinking of things like schools and community. I'm learning to drive, but would ideally have decent public transport. Budget maximum £300,000.

So far considering Fife,,Borders, East Lothian, Linlithgow or Dunbar. Can't afford Linlithgow though it seems!

Any other places we could consider!?

[SauvignonPlonker]

If you like the beach, have a think about Aberdour, Burntisland etc. Or Charleston/Limekilns. South Queensferry.

I'm in West Edinburgh - near the beach at Cramond - but you won't get a fully detached 3 bed for that price. Perhaps terraced, if that would be a reasonable compromise for you? Schools are good.

Agree East Lothian is lovely.

You might get a 3 bed in parts of Linlithgow; it has a very good school catchment.

[Groovee]

Family have moved to kinrosshire after being unable to buy in Edinburgh.

[OneMagnumisneverenough]

Stirling-shire - you could afford Bridge of Allan or Dunblane just on that budget but would get something pretty decent in Stirling itself. Brilliant for kids of all ages - excellent schools. Every activity you could ever want and an easy place to drive about for a newbie - quietish roads. Edinburgh and Glasgow both in easy reach.

[OneMagnumisneverenough]

www.zoopla.co.uk/for-sale/details/38129047?search_identifier=edbef24b3dd21a29db5419513b9e2cbe#wKOXGRb0X1fDS8tQ.97

[prettybird]

Last time I tried to help a MNer find a home, one of my friends ended up going and having a look himself, cos I mentioned it as it was in our street.

Reader, he bought the place!

[harrasseddotcom]

Angus here too, not coastal but still love it. House prices still relatively cheap compared to Edinburgh. (I got a 4 bed/4 public/3 bathrooms/hugeish garden for less than what my cousin paid for her 2 bedroom flat in Edinburgh). I like the small town feel. Lived in Aberdeen previously and it just felt so big and inpersonal. Now i cant go for a wander anywhere and not bump into someone i know. There is no such thing as a 5 minute trip to Tescos :D I much prefer that than the hustle bustle anonymity of a big city.

[Notthisnotthat]

Another east coaster, about 10 mins from the beach, 10 mins to a beautiful country park, agree about looking at tspc website.

[iusedtobecool]

Thanks so much for all the suggestions! Great to get some ideas.,it's such a big decision, so good to hear from others. I'll definitely start researching these areas and see what's about. X

[OneMagnumisneverenough]

Another option might be the Penicuik area if you still want to/need to be near to Edinburgh.

[Haggisfish]

I loved Dumfries when we lived there.

[peggyundercrackers]

Broughty ferry here, we look over the water, the beach is only 200 yards away or so, House prices are still reasonable here. You would get a decent house for 300k.

[lilydaisyrose]

You could get a nice 3/4 bed in my (beautiful) part of East Lothian for £300k, that's a massive budget! We live near Tyn... beach to give you a clue

[RumAppleGinger]

Dalgety Bay.

Moved here after living in the centre of edinburgh for 15 years when we got married and wanted to start a family. We were originally looking in Dunfermline but it just didn't feel like the right fit for us. Had never really heard of the place until we came to view a house here. Fell in love with the it as soon as we came over the hill in the car and got the view of bridge.

Good train service, takes about 25 minutes to get into town, two good primary schools, loads of stuff going on in the community, nice woodland and coastal walks with minimal amounts of radiation, lovely playgroup and toddler groups, a couple of local pubs with decent food. Local shops and a decent sized Asda.

You do pay a premium but it's still much cheaper than edinburgh prices and for your budget you would get a decent 4 or 5 bed house.

[lostinyonkers]

Borders. We've got a train you know . Melrose is a great place, small town/large village feel and has good junior schools, Earlston for High School and is only 10 minutes from Galashiels for shopping (good small independent shops in Melrose itself). Lovely area if you like the outdoors and you'd certainly get a nice detached with a garden for £300K.

[BramblePie]

Oh Broughty Ferry is nice!

I live in Angus too Euphemia - where about are you?

[SheSparkles]

Another one from Broughty Ferry here...5 mins to the beach, 10 mins into the city and 10mins into open countryside-what's not to love! I've lived here all my life and I,don't see that changing

[gininteacupsandleavesonthelawn]

Roslin, we love it

[iusedtobecool]

We are considering the Borders too lostinyonkers. Just have to have a bit of an explore. Duns, Eyemouth, Coldingham all appeal. As well as towns on the rail route. Loads more options I hadn't thought of too. The budget would be about as much as we could afford, but gives me an idea of what's avaliable.

[stargirl1701]

We are in rural Perthshire. Just lovely!

[expatinscotland]

I'm in the Western Highlands so probably a bit far for you, but we love living in the sticks.

[iusedtobecool]

I'm from round that area expat. It's so beautiful and we like going back. The problem for us is lack of jobs in the area in from. And midges!

[lilydaisyrose]

Not sure I'd recommend Eyemouth! Coldingham & Duns are nice though.

[iusedtobecool]

Fair enough! I thought it looked nice in theory :) good to get some opinions.