Living in a flat with a toddler (Edinburgh)

[Lois345]

Hi everyone,

I am looking for some advice. We recently moved to Edinburgh because of work. We are renting now, but looking to buy. My DS is 19 months and we are thinking of moving into a top floor flat. It is in Bruntsfield, so really close to the Meadows and loads going on locally, but do I really want to confine an outdoors loving toddler to a flat? We were in rural England before, so I am also finding it difficult to imaging living in a flat without a garden, but Bruntsfield is lovely and really convenient for work and the flat is lovely, spacious and bright. Any thoughts or experiences? thank you!

[Fartlek]

I have friends who are raising their 2 boys in a top story New Town flat. They are 7 and 9 now and are very happy kids. They go out alot, they often take their bikes or scooters down to the park. It was hard to carry them up the stairs when they were wee so they were taught to climb the stairs themselves from a young age. I don't know how they managed bringing the shopping in. I think home delivery was the key.
Bruntsfield is a wonderful neighbourhood. Lots of parks and green space, loads of shops and cafes.
I think you just have to prioritise getting outside every day. Good luck!

[LochJessMonster]

Is there a lift?

The main thing I would be concerned about is walking up the stairs trying to juggle toddler, bags, pram etc

Then I would think about where he would be able to play, are you able to take him to a green area or park regularly?

[smileandsing]

Edinburgh is lovely but expensive, you can live 20 mins away and get a much bigger house with a garden if you're prepared to commute. Ultimately it comes down to what you can afford and what you're prepared to compromise on. Draw up a list of 'must haves' and 'nice to haves' then make a decision from there based on your budget.

[Puffthemagicdragongoestobed]

I have always found Edinburgh much more geared towards apartment living than London, more like continental European cities. The flats I have been to in Edinburgh were all spacious and practical with big landings and staircases and back yards for hanging up washing etc. With a small child it’s nice to be in the thick of it, so Bruntsfield sounds like a good choice. The only thing I would check though would be school catchments.

[CuteOrangeElephant]

I live in a flat with a toddler and it's fine. We go to the park a lot.

Invest in a good toddler sling rather than a pram or buggy.

[Elephantonascooter]

We are top floor flat with 16month old, no lift. Love it. The space and light is second to none. We take DS to the park, keep the buggy in the car and order shopping online for delivery.
It's difficult to carry DS sometimes but every stage with kids goes so fast so I'm not bothered as he will do the stairs soon enough. I highly recommend it.

[edin16]

I used to live in bruntsfield and I would take living in that area over having a garden. Have you found somewhere specific, a lot of the flats there have communal gardens and I know a lot of people claim a little of the garden for kids toys, etc.

[WeeBitSleepy]

Check it’s not a block with students, apart from the noise factor you’re unlikely to have easy/relaxed use of the shared garden on a sunny day. DH grew up in top floor tenement in south Edinburgh, huge rooms, lots of light- his mum stayed in until very old and the stairs became a great way of staying fit too. Bruntsfield is a fab place to live, having the meadows on your doorstep, school places sorted and great access to central Edinburgh for the DC later as teens would be a winner for me, a private garden wouldn’t matter.

[Lois345]

Thanks so much everyone! This has been really helpful! We have made up our minds and have bought the top floor flat in Bruntsfield (yay) can't wait to move in. Really appreciate hearing from people with experience of living with kids in flats. It made it much easier for us to make up our minds

[BitOfFun]

You will LOVE living there- congratulations!

[happycamper11]

Dc are 10 and 7 now but we've lived in our Edinburgh flat since dd2 was 11 months. Where we are is more like a village street rather than a city as we've parks, bike paths and a river before we have any 'city' yet just a short walk to the centre. Edinburgh is more like a massive leafy village and there's so much outdoors stuff to do you won't mind the flat. Only pain is buggy, which they grow out of, and then bikes. I think bruntsfield is slightly less 'country' than where we are but still on the cycle oath network to get you anywhere with minimal roads

[WeeBitSleepy]

Congrats, that’s great OP! You’ll love it in Bruntsfield.

@happycamper11 ooh I think I know where (maybe P area?) but if it’s not where I’m thinking, I’d love to know where you get that balance. Love so many bits of Edinburgh for that reason.

[happycamper11]

@WeeBitSleepy no, we are kind of in a no man's land - estate agents would call it trinity but it's a Leith postcode yet not technically Leith.

[WeeBitSleepy]

@happycamper11 ooh sounds a great spot and lol at estate agents ‘Trinity’ for the extra £££ I do wonder where that area officially starts and stops...

[drina27]

Re lifts:

[drina27]

I’m sure you can find the boundary lines for Trinity and Leith!

[drina27]

But yes, you do have to be careful about multiple occupancy flats on your stair. Students are nice but they do live life differently.

Even Marchmont is full of student flats these days. Ditto Morningside.

Still, the areas mentioned are just lovely to live in.