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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:
McT123 · 04/05/2023 22:17

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

Google maps is very good for rush hour traffic.
Just put in the time you want to travel and it will give you average times or, even better, search at the time that you want to leave and it will give you the time for the journey at that moment.

Leith to North Berwick - arriving 8:30 - typical time 40 -55 minutes.

Vieve1325 · 04/05/2023 22:42

Why don’t you live in Musselburgh? Best of both worlds in itself and and between the the two.

I love being in the Honest Toun. Beach ok the doorstep, 6 minute train to Edinburgh 15 to North Berwick. Fort kinnaird nearby and access to the countryside.

misssunshine4040 · 04/05/2023 22:56

I did it daily for 2 years and it's fine. You can get a direct train at 8am or something like that time.
Winter can be an issue with the trains being cancelled due to bad weather but other than that's it's no issue

Passivhaus · 04/05/2023 23:00

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…?

Probably cheaper to get a house in Edinburgh than North Berwick tbf

CaptainSeven · 04/05/2023 23:14

Vieve1325 · 04/05/2023 22:42

Why don’t you live in Musselburgh? Best of both worlds in itself and and between the the two.

I love being in the Honest Toun. Beach ok the doorstep, 6 minute train to Edinburgh 15 to North Berwick. Fort kinnaird nearby and access to the countryside.

The Honest Toun is fab. I wonder if we know each other?

CherryPieface · 04/05/2023 23:26

No beach in Edinburgh or Leith though? The seaside resorts are much better for access to beaches.

Honeysuckle16 · 04/05/2023 23:36

For 12 years I drove several times a month from North Berwick to a consultancy job near Constitution Street, Leith. There are several ‘rat runs’, the best of which I found to be to cut from the A1 through Craigentinny (Sleigh Drive) to Duke Street. Obviously you’d be doing it in reverse. There are virtually no hold-ups. The journey takes around 30-40 minutes.

If your job is local to North Berwick, you could drive to Musselburgh station (limited parking) or Wallyford and get the train from there. Train journey time around 20 minutes.

ohfibonacci · 04/05/2023 23:38

Leith traffic is just hellish.

ohfibonacci · 04/05/2023 23:39

@CherryPieface Portobello is in Edinburgh!

CherryPieface · 04/05/2023 23:53

ohfibonacci · 04/05/2023 23:39

@CherryPieface Portobello is in Edinburgh!

Yes, but I got the impression that OP wanted to live in city centre/Leith?

LaviniasBigBloomers · 04/05/2023 23:59

Musselburgh would be perfect, potentially you could walk to the station.

Leith - I wouldn't love, it's either a drive through traffic or a bus/train situation and a bit of a PITA. And so many streets are becoming parking restricted at the moment.

Porty entirely possible but you'd have to drive - or actually, you could drive to Wallyford then jump on the train.

But yeah, it's all doable, just personally I'd get irked by the Leith to A1 bit, there's a lot of snarls there no matter what route you pick.

liveforsummer · 05/05/2023 06:53

CherryPieface · 04/05/2023 23:26

No beach in Edinburgh or Leith though? The seaside resorts are much better for access to beaches.

There definitely is. I can walk to the beach from my house and I l also live walking distance to the city centre. There is a small beach at Wardie/Granton harbour. From there you can walk along the path to silverknowes, gypsy Brae and crammond. Beaches a plenty!

Original poster
NovemberFrost · 05/05/2023 06:58

Amazing folks, thanks very much for all this. Super excited for move and everything you’ve said will be taken into account!

OP posts:
MrsMonkeyBear · 05/05/2023 07:14

I would say Musselburgh. There's both direct buses and trains. The Wallyford Park and Ride (just outside Musselburgh Town centre) is probably the best place to access this if you don't want to drive the whole way or you end up in one of the smaller villages around the area.

liveforsummer · 05/05/2023 08:29

Exciting times! Keep us updated. Musselburgh whilst lovely isn't going to give you the city lifestyle you're after. People answering are thinking of rush hour in the typical direction where as you're likely to be pre and post. I have to do a stimulant journey in the mornings just pre rush hour and sail through from the far side of Leith so I'd not think twice. I assume the poster stating there are no beaches in Edinburgh doesn't actually live here so not best places to advise however I'm glad they are such a hidden gem as it means you can always get parked if you cba to cycle or drive. North Edinburgh is the best imo as you have the best of all worlds and can get to the A1 and pretty much anywhere without ever having to set wheel on the hell that is the COE bypass which is something I avoid whenever possible

ohfibonacci · 05/05/2023 10:17

Funny @liveforsummer I feel that about Leith traffic. 3pm yesterday 1 hour. 😡Saturday is brutal. I think Portobello is a good choice and is does have more of a city vibe and it’s very quick into central edinburgh and you can train to NB.

JanetandRita · 05/05/2023 10:20

Yes absolutely doable by train or car

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