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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Commute from Edinburgh to North Berwick???

42 replies

NovemberFrost · 04/05/2023 20:30

Can I live in/around Edinburgh (looking at Leith/Portobello/Musselburgh) and commute to North Berwick every day or would that be horrendous?

OP posts:
Tatiepot · 04/05/2023 20:33

Think the train is less than an hour so sounds doable….

Original poster
NovemberFrost · 04/05/2023 20:36

Journeys either side of the train might make that difficult? Might have to drive?

OP posts:
Kaffiene · 04/05/2023 20:37

Musselburgh and take the train would be my first choice. Drive would fine depending on where in Musselburgh/ Porty as you want easy access to the A1, Musselburgh traffic can be slow. Commuting from Leith to NB daily would be a total PITA

Stompythedinosaur · 04/05/2023 20:39

It's about 45 mins. Sounds alright to me. I commute further than that.

It might be a pain without a car, I suppose.

Mintyraindrop · 04/05/2023 20:42

Why would it be horrendous, it's such beautiful country and seaside to look at on the way? The train from Musselburgh to North Berwick only takes 27 minutes and similar if your driving, although the bus takes about an hour. Of course this would all take longer if you were commuting from Portobello or Leith.

Somethingsnappy · 04/05/2023 20:46

It's fine! I did a longer commute than that in a similar area.

Original poster
NovemberFrost · 04/05/2023 20:53

Thanks @Kaffiene
Would going from Leith add tons onto the journey even though not that far further along?

OP posts:
Mintyraindrop · 04/05/2023 21:00

Once you leave Musselburgh, there's only a few small villages between there and North Berwick, so very little traffic and a nice easy drive. Leith on the other hand is in a busy part of Edinburgh, so lots more traffic to contend with. You couldn't get the train from Leith, you'd need to head into the Waverly station to catch one, or go the Musselburgh train station, although you could take a bus but again, there's the extra traffic.

BoxerMam · 04/05/2023 21:03

My sister commutes from Morpeth to Edinburgh without a problem. And I commute further than that 50% of the time.
You should manage it fine 🙂

EVHead · 04/05/2023 21:13

From Leith or Portobello you could park near the route of the X5 bus - takes about an hour to North Berwick. Asda at the Jewel is near the bus stop.

liveforsummer · 04/05/2023 21:15

Drive would be fine providing you were at the right side of leith and there is a train so definitely doable

Didicat · 04/05/2023 21:19

My husband used to commute from North Berwick to The Edinburgh Academy from age 9 on his own. Totally doable - just depends on you tolerance.

do you need to be in Edinburgh very expensive housing costs…?

rookiemere · 04/05/2023 21:21

Why wouldn't you just live in North Berwick, it's a lovely place ?

NeedToChangeName · 04/05/2023 21:22

Google Maps would answer your question .....

Kaffiene · 04/05/2023 21:22

NovemberFrost · 04/05/2023 20:53

Thanks @Kaffiene
Would going from Leith add tons onto the journey even though not that far further along?

Leith to the start of the A1 there is a lot of traffic and lights which just seems to take forever. Again it would depend on where in Leith, east of west side. You would miss the Porty & Musselburgh traffic but the Milton junction gets blocked up and who knows what will happen around there once all the houses get built around Newcraighall/ QMU/ Craighall

Original poster
NovemberFrost · 04/05/2023 21:23

Thanks @Didicat I don’t need to be in Edinburgh, I just want to be! Want loads to do with access to beach as well as pubs, gigs, restaurants etc

OP posts:
Original poster
NovemberFrost · 04/05/2023 21:30

Thanks @NeedToChangeName really helpful 👍🏻 Google Maps not exactly famous for its helpful info on rush hour traffic, common local opinions etc

OP posts:
Original poster
NovemberFrost · 04/05/2023 21:32

Thanks @Kaffiene this is exactly the sort of info I was looking for. Good to know.

OP posts:
liveforsummer · 04/05/2023 21:33

Leith to the start of the A1 there is a lot of traffic and lights which just seems to take forever.

There are but it's only really bad at certain times of day - namely school run and OP is heading the opposite way to most of the traffic. I'm the wrong side of leith and have to head to the A1 most mornings and that's never a bother, neither is it coming back in the evening really as the traffic is mostly all going the other way. If I didn't have to battle past ocean terminal or foot of the walk and the shore it really wouldn't be a bother

Original poster
NovemberFrost · 04/05/2023 21:34

Thanks @rookiemere It’s not the kind of vibe I’m looking for, but agree it is beautiful. Mostly out of my price range for what I’d fancy too.

OP posts:
ameliameerkat · 04/05/2023 21:34

Will you be driving or on public transport?

midsomermurderess · 04/05/2023 21:37

North Berwick has become very expensive. And it's quite limited for things to do.

Original poster
NovemberFrost · 04/05/2023 21:38

Thanks @liveforsummer i thought it might be going against most of the traffic too

OP posts:
Kaffiene · 04/05/2023 21:42

liveforsummer · 04/05/2023 21:33

Leith to the start of the A1 there is a lot of traffic and lights which just seems to take forever.

There are but it's only really bad at certain times of day - namely school run and OP is heading the opposite way to most of the traffic. I'm the wrong side of leith and have to head to the A1 most mornings and that's never a bother, neither is it coming back in the evening really as the traffic is mostly all going the other way. If I didn't have to battle past ocean terminal or foot of the walk and the shore it really wouldn't be a bother

Yeah it was the Foot of the Walk and OT I was thinking of specifically. Neither junction ever seem to be clear.

liveforsummer · 04/05/2023 22:01

Foot or indeed any of leith walk I avoid at all costs. I take a shortcut and bypass OT junction from ferry road but in all fairness it's not been as bad the last couple of months. Or maybe it is bad but better than the abysmal it's been the last few years while the tram works have been ongoing so just seems that way 😆. Put it this way a shed load of people live in north Berwick and commute in to far harder to access parts of Edinburgh than the north east and as already said the reverse is a better option too traffic wise. I have to head out along the A1 pretty much daily