thinking of moving to edinburgh, any tips/feedback/friendly people who want to reassure me that we are doing the right thing?

[lissiethelover]

dh and i are hoping to relocate in sept to edinburgh, both studying at Napier university. any insider knowledge of the area gratefully recieved. we are both v keen on the idea, but need to make sure we are doing the right thing!¬

anyone?

hi. i went to uni in edinburgh, and have lived on and off in and around it for best part of 10 years, having lived in other parts of UK as well. i reckon its probably one of the best cities in the UK to live in, if not the world, really - its got a real mix of people (students, visitors, long term residents, boho types, stuffy upper class types etc), amazing cultural life (endless festivals all year round, but lots more apart from that), great restaurants/cafes etc, lots of interesting independent shops and cafes (e.g. heatlh food, fair trade etc), different parts of the city each with their own feel and local centres (e.g. stockbridge, morningside, southside, leith), superb architecture, a real civic feel to the city with amazing museum on chambers street and free art galleries on the mound and elsewhere, close to the sea, loads of green spaces (gardens right in the centre on Princes St, and Arthur's Seat in Holyrood Park - just like a bit of the highlands in a city!) and good base for getting out and about across the rest of scotland e.g. inverness is about 3 and half hour drive, or 3 hours on train. downsides - very expensive property wise, probably because it is such a popular place to live.

which areas should we be looking at? we will be renting.

it depends really on what you are looking for, and where you will be based - which napier campus will you be at?

its at the canaan lane campus. it seems like a big move! but i feel that if we dont make it now then we never will.

just checked the web to see where that is, and in morningside - so, would probably recommend renting in morningside, as its a lovely area with local shops etc, and lots of rented accomodation there, as big student population, but local people as well - might be pricey though, as one of the more upmarket parts of Edinburgh. another nice area close to morningside are bruntsfield (closer to town but on main bus routes up to morningside and on same main road, close to the Meadows, vast green park, big student population in this part of town as close to Edin Uni, so i guess might be a bit noisier). we rented in colinton when moved back to the city some time ago - very expensive and well to do area, but really nice and quiet, on edge of city to the south, just next to start of the Pentland Hills if you like walking. areas to avoid in the south part of the city, although bear in mind i haven't lived in the city for a few years now and loads of areas being regenerated - sighthill, wester hailes, craigmillar, oxgangs. if you want to really get out of town and live somewhere quiet close to hills but still on bus routes into town, Balerno.

thank you so much for all this, we shall trawl the net tomorrow. are there many mn meet-ups? im worried about being lonely.

well, open day is 15th March, finding flights/B&Bs. anyone know of a cheap b&b?

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I'm in Edinburgh and it is an excellent city although housing is pricey (comparable iwth south of England although much cheaper for comparable parts of london)

My quality of life has been brilliant since I moved here 18 months ago with my DH (he studied at Heriot Watt 11 years or so ago)

I've lived in Edinburgh most of my life and can highly recommend it. (I have spent about seven years living elsewhere so I do have something to compare it with!).

If you are renting then you're in a pretty good position to be honest, as you can probably afford to rent in some of the more expensive areas to live such as Morningside or Bruntsfield - where house prices are well out of the reach of many people. Check out this to find lots of rental properties listed. (You could also look at the places for sale and laugh!)

I've actually spent most of my time living in North Edinburgh (Leith, Murrayfield, Barnton) so I know that side of the town better, but Edinburgh is such a small city that nothing is really THAT far away from anywhere to be honest.

hope that helps!

don't really know any b&bs in edinburgh as have rarely stayed there as a visitor. some friends of mine stayed at Edin Uni student accomodation though, and said it was alright and fairly cheap - search "edinburgh first" in google UK. there are lots of b&bs around gilmore place in edinburgh, just off the main bus route on Lothian Road/Bruntsfield Place that leads to Morningside, might be a good location as close to city centre and not far from Morningside either.

thank you!!

I also love Edinburgh, and have lived here for about 7 years. I find it really different to other cities - it is really small so easy to get to most places. If you'll be using public transport when you move - check out lothian buses website to see which bus routes service your campus and what's in easy travel distance etc.

thanks, im so excited! but there seems to be so much to do!

Hi lissielou, just a thought but I think that the Travelodges are pretty reasonable - there's one on St Marys Street that's quite central that you could use as your base when you come up in March.

Hi lissielou, I have lived in Edinburgh all my life and I love it. Was fortunate enough to have been brought up in Morningside too, tho I couldnt afford to live there now!
The public transport is excellent although massive parts of the city are being dug up right now because of the coming trams.
Housing IS pricey but Napier Uni should have accomodation dept.
I take it you'll be looking for a flat rather than a room? From a recent flat search you can expect to pay about £495 a month for a one-bed flat I know. Obviously flatshares are cheaper. Get on Gumtree which always has lots of properties advertised but you have to get in there quick as they are very popular.
Its impossible to be bored in Edinburgh, and of course being a student gives endless socialising possibilities.
Good luck!

thank you!

hey just to say although previously oxgangs has had a bit of a reputation it is now a good district to live in. I live in greenbank and my partner was bought up in fairmilehead. High house prices have meant that oxgangs now houses the grown up children of those brought up in fairmilehead, morningside, greenbank etc. Id have no probs with my kids living there.

thank you!

Just to chip in, I moved to Edinburgh from London 4 years ago and LOVE it!!! There's so mch to do and I've made loads of great friends here. I'm sure you wont feel lonely at all

thanks, how old were your dcs when you moved? dh is worried about ds intergrating

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thats fab christiana! ds will be 3 this month, and we will be moving in september i think. bit scared

how have you adjusted?

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