If you were thinking of moving to Edinburgh...

[ReshapeWhileDamp]

But had no real idea of where to go, where would you advise? DH has a job interview next week and might just get it. I really, really don't want to move again (have literally just moved, expecting DC2 in a couple of weeks, love it here) but I think if he gets it and really wants to, we have to do this. We currently live in a village near a small town and between two much larger towns/cities. We like it like that - close to amenities but quiet and set in beautiful countryside.

So Edinburgh centre wouldn't be ideal (or affordable, come to that!). I did a bit of searching on Rightmove, just to make me feel a bit better about the whole thing, and found that there are some really nice houses that we could possibly afford (have no idea about the 'guide price' and what that actually reflects). We just paid 370 for our current house and it does look like we could afford a 4 bed place rather than this 3 bed semi. But I have no idea where to look.

Ideally, a village or very small town within 10/15 miles of Edinburgh, nice countryside, and good commute into town (DH says there's no parking for this job so train would be good). Don't want to end up cut off or feeling isolated in a tiny place where nothing much happens - we may live in a village here but there are loads of toddler groups, social events, etc, locally. Any tips?

[Omarama]

Cramond. Suburb but near sea with villagey feel. V jealous I live Edinburgh.

[ReshapeWhileDamp]

Cramond looks lovely, but a search on Rightmove says we can't afford it! Think we'd want to be further out, tbh. Thanks though, I have zero knowledge and am grateful for any detail or tips!

[TheCrackFox]

Eskbank is nice. Just outside of Edinburgh.

[lovechoc]

Balerno and Currie are both nice areas but you will pay for this - they have the best schools IMO.

These two villages/towns are outwith Edinburgh but good bus links too into the city centre.

[lovechoc]

There's also Haddington, just outside of Edinburgh.

Or...Newcraighall?

I personally wouldn't live in the city centre either. Too expensive and too much hussle and bustle.

[lovechoc]

I'm going by these towns/villages because DH comes from one of them, and the rest are where friends live. All lovely areas to bring up children.

[ReshapeWhileDamp]

Thanks! Lots of places to research and check out if it comes to it. I reckon we'd have to rent first anyway, in order not to be driven mad by selling somewhere in UK and buying in Scotland in a hurry

[lovechoc]

North Berwick is gorgeous but grossly over-priced.

SO true!!

[geordieminx]

Bathgate? Leith?

[midnightexpress]

Linlithgow? No idea about schools etc, but it always looks quite nice when I go through on the train. Agree that out on the east coast (haddington etc) is v pretty too. You could venture over the Forth into Fife?

I wouldn't discount Edinburgh itself either though(and I'm a country-lover too). It's a very liveable city - you can walk everywhere (when it's not waist-deep in snow anyway) and there are some lovely areas, not necessarily all prohibitively expensive. I'm in Glasgow though so better to get an Embru MNer along to advise on specific areas.

Guide price: Scottish system operates on closed bids, based on an 'offers over' system. In good times (and seemingly at all times in central Edinburgh), the % over the asking price that places go for can be up to 40% or so, but atm, in most places it's much lower than that. You're also seeing alot more places being offered at 'fixed price' (what it sounds like - that's the price the vendor is looking for), or oiro, where a deal could be struck.

[midnightexpress]

[BubsMaw]

Linlithgow, South Queensferry, Dalmeny?

Possibly even Stirling, if your DH is happy with a train commute? Might be too far though, but 'tis lovely!

[midnightexpress]

Yes, Stirling is lovely. And you can commute fairly easily to both Glasgow and Edinburgh.

[BubsMaw]

IIRC Linlithgow academy is very highly regarded, but this pushes prices up. This may be a good time for a cheeky offer though. Personally I wouldn't want to commute from Fife to Edinburgh, especially not by car, but I do know lots of people do it. Trains might just be do-able.

[Abr1de]

I don't like Bathgate.

Haddington is good.
Temple?

[paddypoopants]

Linlithgow is nice, is on the direct rail line on the main Glasgow/Edinburgh rail line and has one of the best secondary schools in Scotland. Bit of a nightmare to get anywhere else mind you. I have just moved from Portobello which is a fantastic place if you are looking for somewhere nearer the city centre. It's an old village by the sea but only 25 min bus ride into city centre, and £370k might buy you a 30's bungalow or a large maindoor flat. Musselburgh is nice as well.
If you fancy any of the towns/villages outside the city that rely on bus travel to get in you will find the commute a bit of a long haul. We have friends who moved back into the city centre from Roslin which is a lovely village but the commute was awful.
The offers over system for buying used to be a nightmare but now you get to see the homebuyers report you can see the acctual valuation of the house. Loads of houses are on at offers around or fixed price as the arket is slow.

[ImeldaM]

Eskbank is nice, prob not much of community feel though, more of a commuter village. Would say no to Linlithgow, sorry, but been there a few times. Musselburgh quite nice but bit rough (apologies to any locals) quite a community spirit though. North Berwick v nice but as said above, very expensive. Gifford is nice, as is Garvald and Longniddry. For large town, Haddington good, school better than Dunbar, from what I've heard. Haddington & Dunbar both well equipped with facilities, Dunbar known as 'sunny Dunny' for its sunshine record.

[ImeldaM]

lovechoc 'Newcraighall' Am assuming you joking?

[stirlingstar]

Another Stirling recommendation here. It's a bit further than Edinburgh suburb, but good road and rail to Glasgow, Edinburgh, the North & London - so fairly futureproof??

£370k would buy you a nice house or large period conversion flat.

[5GoldenFimbos]

If we ever move back to Scotland we would move to Cupar in Fife so that dh could commute to Edinburgh. More likely to get a seat there too!

[5GoldenFimbos]

\link{http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-28149874.html\Something like this if you can see past the decoration and clutter}

[lovechoc]

Cupar is nice, very out-in-the-sticks.