Moving to London or Edinburgh. Which would you choose?

[BetwixtandBetween2]

I'm single, childless, in my mid 30s and thinking of making a move to London or Edinburgh over the next few years or so, possibly sooner. I'm currently living in the Suburbs outside of Glasgow and work from home. I've been in and around Glasgow for all of my life and feel I need a change.

I love my street because it's quiet and I look onto a farm and green fields. I love watching the wildlife and it lifts my mood, but the local town centre while ok is very small and not very varied. I'm only 20 minutes from Glasgow city centre but I feel as though going into the city has worn off for me because I feel as though I've done it all before and it feels rundown.

I don't have an exciting life but I used to go to the theatre every week, or to a talk or event, when I worked in the city centre. I love wandering about high streets and finding bookshops, independent shops and delis to explore. I also love museums and visited them regularly but again I feel as though I've been there, done that, and I want to do all of those things in a new city.

I've been considering Edinburgh because I love it so much but the cold dissuades me a little, not to mention the hills as I have disabilities and I worry that it'd feel a little stale to me after a fewyears or so.

I love how huge and varied London is, and can't imagine running out of things to do there, but it's so expensive and I wouldn't know where to start looking but then there's no hurry, and the thought of living there excites me.

Apologies for length, but any opinions would be appreciated. TIA

I love London and enjoyed living there in my 20s but I did find the environment quite full on and relentless. Also your enjoyment of it massively depends on your income. I lived in a very rough part but within walking distance of a beautiful, very upmarket part. I would have been weary of buying a house or bringing children up in my area but couldn't have afforded a better one. I've only ever visited Edinburgh but I in would choose here out of the two. Really depends on your circumstances though.

Edinburgh. London is too big and too crowded

What do you do for work and what’s your rough budget for accommodation (rent or buy). Then we can advise what’s affordable in London and if it would be a viable option.

There’s certainly lots going on (normally!) including talks, events etc and it’s exciting. It’s also exhausting and expensive as you say, so you’d need to think about the quality of life you’d want.

London. I’d move there in a flash for all the reasons you said, if I could afford it.

I know that I wouldn't be able to afford a 3 bed house in London, but I think I could live with a one bedroom flat. I'd have a budget of around 680,000. It could be stretched a little. Hoping that would cover a one bed in a half decent area.

rent for a year and see what you make of it!

Still a lot more career opportunities in London, and while I love Edinburgh, I couldn’t cope with the cold (though living near Glasgow I’m sure you’re used to that)

Edinburgh. No contest.

London is an amazing place if you are child free and want to have fun. I loved there until my children were in need of school.. then we moved a little further. Go for it!

Why not have a look at ESPC website to see what you'd get for your money in Edinburgh.
Then look at Lothian Transport to see what buses would be available to take you about.

Edinburgh....London is a crime ridden shit hole.

I couldn’t cope with the cold (though living near Glasgow I’m sure you’re used to that)

I am, as it's certainly not the warmest place, but Edinburgh is cold even for me, though a bit drier than Glasgow so it makes up for that, and I do love going East to visit it.

I’m a Londoner and love Edinburgh - but for me the weather would tip me towards London. £680,000 could get you a house if you go to zone 3.

Edinburgh.

Stay in Glasgow!

Edinburgh. We made the move 7 years ago and didn’t look back. But we are at a different stage of our lives. Three kids and established careers. London was exciting when I was young though.

I'd choose Edinburgh. But I appreciate it is very very cold.

You could get a great garden flat in zone 2 for that budget. Why not go to London and rent for a bit, see what you think?

Edinburgh, no question.

I've lived in both. Love them both. Very difficult decision. Will try and think through some of the arguments for each:

London is more of a collection of small villages / towns. Friends in Bermondsey / Hackney / Kew might not get together that often as it's quite a distance between the areas. Edinburgh has distinct areas. Stockbridge has a very different atmosphere to Leith. But it isn't actually that far between the areas if you want to meet friends.

Where are your family and friends now? Will it be easy to see them. If you travel far away will you miss them / their support

Without prying (and please don't feel you have to answer) what is the nature of your disability? I know the DDA meant that everywhere is supposed to be accessible but in reality is that the case. Will transport / accomodation in either city be in any way an obstacle?

How would the tube etc be with your disabilities? London is fantastic but (to state the bleedin obvious) central London is very very crowded and busy.

I’d probably say Edinburgh, because with your house budget you could get something really nice there, plus obviously it’s much smaller but there are still plenty of galleries, theatres etc that will be easier & quicker to get to. In London you could look at somewhere like Blackheath perhaps, which has independent shops etc but good transport links.

Edinburgh million times over. I lived there for 13 years and miss it every day

Edinburgh, but I'm biased because I live here! Moved back just last year after 15 years living in England and abroad. Best thing I ever did!
I love long weekends in London but I would never want to live there.
I spend a lot of time in Glasgow for work and I haven't noticed it being significantly warmer there so I don't think you should worry too much about the temperature.
My advice is to think about what you might want long term - London might be fun for a couple of years but would you start to miss friends and family in Scotland (if they are based here, you haven't said)? Do you see it as a permanent relocation or just a place to live for a few years?

I lived in Edinburgh for nearly 8 years - it is beautiful, inspiring, so convenient to get around, compact but lots going on. A great city. However I don’t miss living there as I found Edinburgh people quite cold/snooty. Glasgow (visited lots, never lived there) are much warmer... not sure if that makes a difference to you?

Edinburgh. It has magic.

Edinburgh is dreich as fuck

(Also a weegie)

Come to London - it's 25 degrees here right now and so bloody balmy

Been here 3 years and I could not love it more.