Kirknewton

[Nevertooearlyforcake]

Thinking of moving near there but know nothing about it. Currently in Edinburgh and PFB due to start primary in August. Any info on the primary school, after school club and local amenities gratefully received. Will probably be working fulltime or near as damnit so won't have time to drive back into Edinburgh on week days for kids activities so there needs to be some options locally. It would also defeat the purpose of moving out if we spend then spend half our life in the car.
Thanks!

Kirknewton PS has a good reputation. I think it has one class per year. Places might be tight for p1 this summer due to maximum class sizes so best to ask the council. There has been a number of new houses built in recent years so number of kids has risen slightly. Strangely although this is in west lothian, for secondary school kids go to Edinburgh council school to Balerno.
Sorry can't help with the rest of your questions.

I used to live there a long time ago. Then there was a bit of rough pub in the centre of the village, and you would get cases of cars being messed with - windscreen wipers pulled off, mirrors, etc. Also had beer bottle thrown at front window on one occasion. I would stress, that this was a long time ago, may have improved since.

I have friends who's children go to the primary school and they are happy with it.Balerno High School is also very highly rated. Facilities wise, Livingston has all that you could want and is about 10 minutes away by car. Kirknewton has a station so commuting into Edinburgh is easy, but the bus service is very slow.

I'd suggested that you have a look at Balerno too. House prices are a bit higher though.

I'm in East Calder, about 1.5 miles away from Kirknewton. I don't know about the schools, expecting my PFB in 2 weeks :) but in East Calder there is a sports centre with outdoor 5 a side pitches, 2 primary schools, doctors surgery (this would be the surgery for Kirknewton too), dentist, hairdresser, 2 beauty salons.

Livingston would be your main shopping centre, there is a huge Asda, Sainsburys, Morrisons, shopping centres and retail parks.

I've only been here 2 years but I have settled in really well. I'm sure you would like it.

Thanks for your responses - didn't think I'd get any replies and all your comments are really helpful. Will phone council about P1 places. Might have left it too late for the start of the school year as still need to sell up and buy. Not too worried about rough pubs, the village pub where I grew up was pretty dodgy but no-one was ever served underaged as the bar staff all knew exactly how old you were and would threaten to tell your dad Have been keeping eye on Balerno for ages but nothing suitable's been coming on to the market. Let me know if you know anyone who is planning to sell!

Have you thought about Currie. Closer to town, got the train station and buses very frequent and still got the good schools. Currie High is as good (some might say better) than Balerno High.

Nether Currie PS is the preferred of the two primaries (in my opinion!). Houses pretty affordable (cheaper than Balerno).

Also lots going on for kids.

Kirknewton pub is fine now. I've never seen or heard of any trouble.

As Cuckooclock said, space could be tight in the school, but it's very good.

There is a village hall with various classes going on in the evenings and weekends. I know there are brownies/rainbows/street dancing amongst other things.

Just checked this thread on the off chance - thanks for the later replies! Looks like we might be staying in town for now - going to offer on somewhere tomorrow - hope we don't regret it!