Just got here from California......

[andisea]

Hello, I have a few questions so I will just list them

1. Advice on a school/playgroup for a 2.5 year old in the East Craigs area
2. What taxi service is the cheapest/best for locals?
3. We looked at David Lloyd gym and the fees were $165 per month. Is this worth it or should we look elsewhere or just join the local leisure center?
4. Our six year old will attend Erskine Stewarts Melville school in P3. Are there any moms out there who can give me advice, tips etc to help him and us navigate the start of school?
5. Anything else I should know?

Thank you

Hi, Welcome to Edinburgh.

Craigsbank Church has a playgroup 4 days a week and has a second one at the East Craigs Church Centre which I think runs the same days. 0131 334 1190 and ask for Mrs Walls. She will help you.

Edinburgh Private Hire seem to be quite cheap. The 31 bus service and the 26 (drumbrae end) is pretty good too.

Drumbrae Leisure centre is very good. DL became too social for me and a lot of the classes didn't suit for timings for me and I grudged paying £180 a month for a family of four. We only miss the outdoor pool.

Get yourself to a book shop and purchase and Edinburgh for under 5's.

I do know a few of the girls about to start my brownie unit live in East Craigs and go to Mary Erskines which will be the same as your 6 year old, so you may find a family nearby to meet up with.

WelcomeEdinburgh is a great place to live. The school is lovely. My two boys went to the junior, then senior school. It is big, but friendly. Do jump out of your car at pick up time and you will soon get chatting to the mothers at the school gate. Try to volunteer to go on class day trips etc. There are frequent parent events which I would encourage you to attend. Also, although it is important to make local friends, there is an American presence in Edinburgh. The American women's club is at www.awccs.org. Good luck! It takes a while to settle I did a similar move from Edinburgh to NJ as a newly wed and then again with small kids. Give yourself time to adjust.