Where not to live in Edinburgh

[Loveislandaddict]

Please can anyone advise where Not to live in Edinburgh?

I can see plenty of articles about good places (too expensive), but not where not to live.

Or can anyone recommend any middle-of-the road areas. Or upcoming areas?

Family member had a bad experience in Wester Hailes (car theft, vandalism etc).

Other family members live in Leith atm and seen to like it. Also have family further out and to the south in Penicuik, which they like but of course it's not very central.

Seem*

Don’t live in:
Pilton
Wester Hailes
Niddrie
Muirhouse
Burdiehouse

There’s some nice bits of leith and some terrible bits.

It's a while since I lived there but the main 'not so nice' areas that I knew of were Sighthill, Wester Hailes, Granton, Muirhouse, Pilton, Niddrie, Craigmillar. Parts of Leith weren't overly salubrious when I first moved there for uni (2000) but it was subsequently massively gentrified. We always avoided Lothian Road at kicking out time on Friday/Saturday nights!

Thanks for all your replies.

What’s Peffer area like? I can see it’s near Niddrie and Craigmiller, but wondered if it’s okay?

Most of the places listed above would be classed as deprived. Catchments is a major deal here in Edinburgh. Does that apply to you? What sort of budget are you looking at for rent/purchase? Peffer is not terrible as far as I know.

Don't live in Peffermill it's basically Niddrie

I certainly wouldn't class Penicuik as Edinburgh, its practically in the Borders!

I'd avoid Gorgie/Dalry, Wester Hailes, Saughton, Pilton, Granton etc.

I'd probably look to buy in Leith (not Leith Walk) or Newhaven.

Agree to all the places above in terms of where not to live.

More middle ground places might be:
Corstorphine
Meadowbank
Restalrig
Davidson Mains
Musselburgh (outskirts of Edinburgh)
Kirkliston (again outskirts of Edinburgh)
Leith/Newhaven is a great place to live too, with a few streets to avoid

I'd avoid Oxgangs, though DH has a friend who likes it there.

What sort of budget are we talking OP?

Areas that I would say would have some accommodation on the cheaper side but not really rough - Colinton Mains, Firrhill, Oxgangs, Fairmilehead, Forrester, Clermiston, east Craigs, Carrick knowe, Shandon, Duddingston, Portobello, - I don't know the south of the city very well, but maybe silverknowes and davidsons mains.

Try to go for areas which have mixed types of accommodation or mature ex council areas.

Penicuik isn't that far out, it's 4 miles from the by-pass with a direct frequent bus service and decent schools

Looking at 1-2 bedroom flats, first time buyer, not big budget (working out budget/mortgage etc)

This too expensive?

Nice street tucked away:
www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-73342411.html

Bit cheaper:

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-84384479.html

One bed in Porty

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-73271710.html

OP just to say (in case you are not already aware) that offers over in Edinburgh really means offers over of anywhere between 10 and 20%

If you can give a rough budget then I'm sure a few folk(me included) would be happy to have a look and give you our best options for the budget.

Approx £100000-£120000

It’s for my son who will be living in Edinburgh (not a student). It’s not a huge budget :(, but he can’t get a huge mortgage (not sure exactly what he can get yet) and doesn’t want to waste money renting, if possible.

Happy house-hunting,

..and thank-you.

Ooh that’s not much of a budget for Edinburgh! I’d look at gorgie/fountain park area. Good bus routes close to town and it’s improving with a lot of student housing about but also solid flats.

Gorgie or Leith are about the most affordable, but central areas, that attract first time buyers. I’d go for Leith myself! Lived in several flats there in my student days.

Niddrie has had millions invested into it recently. I wouldn't avoid that area. It has a bad reputation but I don't think it deserves it. I lived near there for many years.

Wester Hailes isn't all bad, my friend lived at the Colinton side and it was nice and much cheaper than Colinton. Not sure if there's many flats at that side though. Would he commute to Edinburgh from other towns or does he want to be right in the city?

That's the thing, no areas are all bad but I think you need to have a a bit of very specific local knowledge to know which streets are the best bits.

Realistically he knows he’s unlikely to get somewhere in the centre, so will be commuting in.

Really appreciate all your help,and advice. When you don’t live in an area, it’s difficult to know good and bad places, and we don’t live near enough to visit to explore areas

Tollcross is a bit grim and grubby. I find it a bit odd it hasn't been gentrified the hell out of.

I think maybe he should rent first then buy, it's hard if you don't live near by. Or at least go for a week long visit to check out some areas. Might seem like a waste of money but better than spending £120k on a flat in an area he ends up hating.

This needs a bit of updating but is right on the bus route - also has night buses so easy to get and home from the town centre.

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-64602075.html