Edinburgh or Bath?

[NotThatKindOfDoctor]

I know this probably isn’t the right place to post this, but I’m looking for as much input as possible and I know it gets traffic (plus it doesn’t really fit neatly into any of the other categories).

My family and I have been living abroad for the last 7 years, but we’re having to live back to the UK so I can open up offices for my company. As it’s my company, I can set the offices up wherever I like, but it turns out too much choice is almost as bad as not enough choice.

We’ve whittled it down to Edinburgh (and surrounding areas) or Bath ( and Bristol and surrounding areas).

The quality of the schools seem to be pretty evenly matched (we’ve 4 kids so that’s important!), and house prices are not too dissimilar. Family are closer in Edinburgh (within 2 hours) but we have a lot more friends in the South West (and my best friend lives within 2 hours which would be amazing).

Where do you think would be a better place for a family? And why?

Thanks!

I love Bath. I haven't ever lived there, but was there on a regular basis for a course. Great shops, easy to walk around. The traffic can be bad, but I think it is worse in Edinburgh. It's also easy to get to Bristol and London. Much better climate, and proper pubs.

I swear the people commenting have never live in either Bath or Bristol. Firstly the traffic in Bristol is far worse than Bath, although admittedly neither are great, as are the secondary schools. You can’t go wrong with schools in Bath and it’s a lot safer than Bristol.

Lived in Bath for decades and don't recognise what others have said apart from cost of housing and parking, but then in the South of the UK almost anywhere'nice' is the same?
What is your budget and what is your business? From Bath you can be in London in 1.5 hrs, tons of good school state and Indy, two universities, wonderful countryside, access to the Cotswold and the SW, lots of cultural stuff, theatres, cinema and close to Bristol!

@vinicunca

Edinburgh is freezing. Winters are bitter and grim. Summers are short / barely existent. The kids are back in school in the middle of August because summer is finished! Weather has a huge impact in quality of life and mental / physical health.

Bristol and Bath are milder and better summers, but the south-west is wet in general.

In other words - If you really must move to the U.K., come to London / SE Or stay where you are!

Schools go back in August cos we finish up mid/end of June. There's still 7 weeks of summer holidays.

Winter is winter. It's cold,wet and it sometimes snows. Buy proper boots and a decent wind/waterproof jacket.

I used to live in Edinburgh and loved it. Only reason I ever moved was because of DH's job.

Edinburgh every time over Bath, especially if it's for setting up a business.

Edinburgh is a capital city with an international airport and much deeper talent pool for employees. Bath is lovely but the traffic is horrific (the Georgians didn't have motor vehicles in mind when they designed it). It's touristy in the middle and quite rough around the edges.

I advised against Bath central having spent a miserable year in a mouldy, noisy, expensive flat, but I definitely would never ever advise Bristol! It's the worst city for driving that I've ever been to and I've never felt safe on a night out there. Somewhere like Corsham is great for families and close to Bath for work.

Bath all the way. It's lovely. And your'e only down the road from Bristol.
Scotland is too cold.

Edinburgh of course. Bath isnt in the same league.

It's not freezing at all . Perhaps those that think is are older/ill health?

I love the weather in Edinburgh. I've seen so many people complain about the heat in the South of England recently. It's been just perfect here. Warm enough to really enjoy it but not too hot so that it stops you from getting out and about. The winters are really not bad here, not compared to what I'm used to. It's drier than many places in England.

Having said that, the decision for me would largely depend on the friends/family thing. Would it be more beneficial to your life to live closer to your friends or to your family? Only you can answer that.

I love both.

I’ve often been to Bath and Edinburgh, but not lived in either. I would vote Edinburgh, it’s stunning and easy to get to beautiful countryside and coast.
One of the best visits to Edinburgh was to go to a Rugby match in January. It was cold, but crisp and sunny. I’d never seen the city look so beautiful.

I used to live just outside of Bath so my travel was usually either to one of the car parks to go out or shopping, or trying to get through the centre to get to the RUH, both could be pretty savage and I know many people where I lived would avoid looking for work unless they lived near our train station and could get in that way. It also has high levels of air pollution as its in a 'bowl', if your business involves any sort of deliveries worth being mindful of the clean air charges if you look into Bath. That said its a beautiful place, as there are 2 unis some of the population can be quite transient, but it sounds like your business isn't so much dependent on location, just where you want to live? In which case I'd recommend it.

Edinburgh maybe be a couple of degrees cooler but it's dry
No perpetual damp/drizzle/rain like in the SW.
good transport links - if your friend is in Cornwall or London you could fly there from Edinburgh faster than driving from Bath

Watching with interest as we are planning a move back to the UK and considering Edinburgh (currently have a place in London).

Schools is the thing I don’t know much about, apart from the fact that something like 50% children in Edinburgh go private. Are the schools not great? (Sorry to jump on your thread OP).

Edinburgh every time. The only thing Bath has going for it over Edinburgh is that it's warmer. Edinburgh is a capital city, I would be very happy to live there but would never consider Bath - if you want that area I would choose Bristol or potentially Cardiff instead.

I've lived in Edinburgh and the SW. As much as I love Edinburgh it really is a different climate and I just couldn't do it. It's so dark and cold in winter. State schools in Edinburgh are poor in general and unless you can go private I'd avoid it just on that basis.

Another vote for Edinburgh, I live in glasgow and visit Edinburgh frequently. Yes it can get cold in winter but it’s not the coldest place in the UK. It has a lot to offer and great places near by with lots to do and see. I visited 3 weeks ago and it was lovely and warm. As pp have said, there is a large international airport in Edinburgh with a large variety of destinations. Just because it can get cold in winter, definitely isn’t a reason not to move.

Edinburgh - if you have 4 children, the “free” university places may add up to a great saving for your family.

The income tax rate is higher in Scotland than Bath.

All the people saying Edinburgh because Bath is so busy, full of tourists, terrible for parking and traffic is horrendous.......you're also describing edinburgh!!
The school system is completely different in Scotland, taxes are higher and if they get another referendum vote and get independence I would consider what that might mean for your business.

I also don't recognise some of the comments about Bath! Not sure how it can be 'rough' and 'stuck up' at the same time...

I would say think about the size of city you want to live in - do you want somewhere bigger or smaller? Bath will never be able to compete with Edinburgh for big city facilities/cultural opportunities etc, but on the other hand its size makes it walkable, which is one of the things I really like about it, and it still has plenty of theatres, museums, parks, events etc.

Weather better in Bath plus your best friend. I'm Scottish and would pick Bath.

@emmathedilemma

All the people saying Edinburgh because Bath is so busy, full of tourists, terrible for parking and traffic is horrendous.......you're also describing edinburgh!! The school system is completely different in Scotland, taxes are higher and if they get another referendum vote and get independence I would consider what that might mean for your business.

Yes. You only have to be in Edinburgh for the Festival. All year round the city is heaving with tourists now and the traffic is horrendous.

I'm in Edinburgh and I'm sitting here recovering from sunburn 😂.

I don't agree that all the state schools are crap and shock, it gets cold in winter. Like PP's, you are near hills, beaches, lovely scenery a mere drive away and an international airport and train system.

Downsides are the ridiculous Spaces for People that have ruined the place (IMO), the Festival in August when it's back up and running makes the place heaving, the cost of housing and the impact of your business in the event of independence.

Never been to bath so can't comment there.

I've been in Edinburgh for the past 13 years. It's an amazing city to bring up a family.

I lived and worked in Bath for a long time and love it, though it is expensive. I now live in one of the nearby towns mentioned above, secondary schools are very good here which is one of the reasons we are here, also only 5 minutes from the M4.

Wiltshire has its own beautiful countryside but one of the other great benefits of this part of the SW in general is that you can get to Dorset/Devon/Cornwall and also West Wales within 1.5-3 hours drive (depending where you go) which opens up so many options for holidays.