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

London. Great city

I would go to London. Blackheath to be precise. However great the other cities are you are always going to get more choice in London. I can't think of anywhere better to be mid-thirties and single. You could have a lovely flat on your budget too.

Edinburgh any day of the week.

I think Blackheath has been mentioned a few times now, which seems promising. I'm not very familiar with the area but I'll definitely read up on it.

I lived in both for the same length of time,. I'd pick Edinburgh. For those complaining of the cold, the heat used to bug me in London, very sweaty at night sometimes and the tube in summer, the smell of hot bins and traffic fumes, yuck! All the parks busy. Edinburgh is relatively dry, just buy a nice coat!
With your budget you could have somewhere really lovely in Edinburgh, but a much more restricted choice in London. Having lived in London, i didnt go out in town that often it took ages to get there and was expensive, i lived in South London and it took so long to visit friends in North London that it didn't happen often!

If you like to feel you are in nature, definitely Edinburgh. I love it.

@BetwixtandBetween2 I’m in Blackheath and it is lovely - but it’s not “central” if that’s more what you’re after.

Blackheath is lovely but it doesn’t have the same “need a book, dash to Foyles, want to catch a film this evening, can be at NFT in half an hour” vibe of say Clapham or Islington or (if you’d be fine with a smaller flat) Primrose Hill or Pimlico.

I'm not sure if being central is more or less important to me than being in a leafier part of London. I'll have to do some more research and ponder that. A balance would be nice but I'm aware that with my budget compromises must be made.

I'll look at the areas mentioned and see what each has to offer. I'll probably start another thread on areas soon. I'm very grateful to you all for your help.

Blackheath is lovely, but very expensive. I’d go a but further out to Crystal Palace or the CP side of South Norwood. Close to a lot of green space, but loads of transport options, including the Overground and 12 minutes to London Bridge.

I used to walk along this road on the way to the station, it’s a quiet residential area. Anyway, the link gives you an idea of what you could get for £650k. Closer to Crystal Palace will cost more.

[[Norhyrst Avenue, London, SE25
www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-67101573.html]]

I would choose London. I always regret not living there before I had children.

Link fail.

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-67101573.html

If in doubt , follow the money 💵

Try London for a year and see what you think! It's a brilliant place to live.

I love Edinburgh (though have never lived there) but I kind of feel like London would be more of an adventure as it's further afield for you?

London!

Have you considered Richmond? Lovely town centre and you have the park, the river and Kew Gardens on your doorstep. There's Richmond Theatre and the Orange Tree theatre in the centre, cinema, restaurants etc all in walking distance. And really easy to get into Central London. If I had your budget I'd move there in a heartbeat!

I agree with Lurleene. Richmond would be an excellent choice. It feels like a town in its own right with theatres, cinemas, the river and green space galore. It has excellent transport links for your big city culture fix with the train, tube and overground. On a fast train to Waterloo you are only 20 minutes from Southbank for the National Theatre, Tate Modern etc and just across the bridge from Covent Garden. The District Line will get your to South Ken in around 20 minutes for the V&A and all the other big museums. The overland gets you up to Hampstead or all the way to Stratford for the Olympic Park.

Other areas with good access to green space: Clapham, Battersea. Or north as you suggested yourself OP, to Kentish Town, Hampstead, Camden. Or out East, Greenwich is gorgeous.

In Edinburgh I was going to suggest Marchmont / Bruntsfield. Nice neighbourhood atmosphere, close to the Meadows for green space and not too far out from the centre to get to theatres, cinemas, restaurants etc.

London. I left Scotland because of the SNP. It’s dreadful up there now

Blackheath, Greenwich, Richmond etc - all green leafy places with large open spaces and a village feel but never boring because you can easily (well - 15-20 min train ride) get into town for restaurants and entertainment.

If you have the money, London. Look at the trains and the express stops. There are great places like Bromley which are leafy yet only 15min from the centre.

London! You'll never get bored and there is so much to do and see, especially if you are on a limited budget. Edinburgh is lovely but just not comparable as it's so much smaller.

Forget about zone 3 - fine for a family but for your budget I'd be as central as possible. Yes the public transport in London is superb but you don't want to be spending hours on the bus or overground every time you want to get out and do something!

100% agree with Richmond or Kew - both absolutely beautiful places to live - on the river and Kew Gardens is wonderful. Richmond has fantastic shopping and restaurants and a vibrant arts scene. So many interesting ppl around too. I would move to either in a heartbeat in your position

Thank you all again for the advice and suggestions. I'll have a look at the other areas that have been mentioned in London and elsewhere. I thought that some of the areas wouldn't really be an option for me, with my budget, but it's interesting to see that they could be.

Sounds like you are leaning towards London OP. I have lived in Edinburgh for many years and absolutely love it. But in your situation I might have tried London for a bit. Why not? Come back to Edinburgh if you don't like it.

I can't work out how to attach a zoopla link but I found a cute little victorian terraced house in "The Alberts" which is like a little village neighbourhood within Richmond. Short walk to station, theatres, shops etc. It needs modernising but it's cute and has its own little garden. It's on for £650k. There are several two bed flats nearby for a similar price but not needing work done to them.