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Original poster

If you moved to Edinburgh , why did you do it and how did it work out?

61 replies

cherrytrees123 · 19/05/2018 08:31

Planning to move back to Edinburgh after many years away. Living in a lovely rural area at the moment, but feeling under stimulated and adrift, don't fit in with the people etc. Not sure I am ready to be in a busy city with all the traffic though! Several reasons to move back, but i need encouragement!

OP posts:
Pippylou · 20/05/2018 19:37

Yeah, we lived in the centre for 5 years, then Linlithgow for 6 years. Loved it & miss it...great dogwalking out in West Lothian. May retire there!

It was quicker to live in Linlithgow and train in than Corstophine and the bus or the traffic.

Polwarth? Round by the Uni? Tonnes of nice areas tho.

hapagirl · 20/05/2018 20:05

Also, I would say don’t get too hung up on a detached house. Our first place was a huge first floor flat and warm because of upstairs and downstairs. Now we live in a semi (detached being out of price range) and the rooms attached to next door are roasting while rooms on other side are freezing in the Edinburgh winds. I find myself fantasizing about living in a terrace.

socktastic · 20/05/2018 20:13

We used to live in Aberdeen and dh got a job in Edinburgh. We compared loads of prices and found we'd get soo much more for out money outside of the city. (Considering we were selling 2 flats in Aberdeen!)
We live in a Fife town with direct train links to Edinburgh and can get there on the train at weekends etc very easily.
We pay so much less for general services such as window cleaning, diy... because if doesn't come with the Edinburgh price tag.

Original poster
cherrytrees123 · 20/05/2018 20:24

MoreProsecco I saw that property but the garden looks really odd... otherwise it looks fine.

Hapagirl you may be right about detached. I am trying to keep my mind open..
Socktastic.. I have considered a Fife town, but don't know Fife that well.

OP posts:
Original poster
cherrytrees123 · 20/05/2018 20:26

Looked at East Lothian. Nearly bought a house in Gifford. Humbie is too far out I'm afraid.

OP posts:
Petalflowers · 20/05/2018 20:29

Watching thread with interest.

Is there any areas to avoid?

Pippylou · 20/05/2018 20:57

Yes, there are definitely areas to avoid!

If you look at the location and it's priced very low, there's always a reason.

simd.scot/2016/#/simd2016/BTTTTTT/13/-3.1768/55.9380/

I used to show houses in Edinburgh and loved the Portobello area. Very good buses.

Thissameearth · 20/05/2018 21:08

Gifford is lovely (though if Balerno is too far out then Gifford??) are schools a consideration and where are your respective workplaces?

MoreProsecco · 20/05/2018 21:40

My sister stays near Gifford; East Lothian is lovely, but I wouldn't fancy a commute up the A1, especially with the forthcoming works at Sherrifhall.

I know a few people who live in West Linton & love it.

If you are brave enough to do the commute over the bridge (I wouldn't do it for love or money!) then consider Aberdour, Kinross, Limekilns, Culross, Torryburn or Charleston.

Petalflowers · 20/05/2018 22:04

What’s Polworth like?

ocelot41 · 20/05/2018 22:30

I like it - have friends living there. Mix of tenements and houses, quite quiet but easy access to city

CormoranStrike · 20/05/2018 22:57

Half your money in Bo’ness paulrolfe.co.uk/property/4-duchess-anne-cottages-boness/

Outside of Linlithgow Manuel Coach House, Linlithgow
www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-65982698.html

Detached - 50 Kettil'stoun Mains, Linithgow, EH49 6SL
www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-53841636.html

Basically. You get a lot more bang for your buck out of town.

A project, but lovely

'Dryfemount' 13 Dundas Street, Bo'Ness, West Lothian, EH51 0DG
www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-69254369.html

AlfredDaButtler · 20/05/2018 23:03

If you consider Fife, I’d have a think Dalgety Bay and Dunfermline if being somewhere well connected is important. If rail links are less important and you don’t mind a wee drive for shops - look at Limekilns, Culross or Aberdour.

AlfredDaButtler · 20/05/2018 23:04

A think about*

knowledgeofnone · 20/05/2018 23:19

I've lived in corstorphine, slateford, Georgie and Musselburgh and I have to say I would move back to Musselburgh in a heartbeat there are beautiful houses, the river, the beach and it's 10 min on the train to the city centre and you have the fort for shopping/cinema. Although where I live now you could get something spectacular for that money and be about a 40 min drive away!

Parrish · 20/05/2018 23:31

Edinburgh has become incredibly crowded. I would live somewhere further out in East Lothian or West Lothian and commute in. If I could.

Petalflowers · 21/05/2018 07:24

Drefemount looks lovely.

Chocolate1984 · 21/05/2018 10:09

Consider as well that nice areas are in the catchment for terrible high schools.

morningtoncrescent62 · 21/05/2018 19:10

I moved to Edinburgh about 16 years ago - I was a single parent with two (then) primary-school-aged children, and I was moving up from a village in Sussex where I'd lived for a few years after living in London. It was a bit random - I was looking to make major changes in my life, including getting a graduate-level job for the first time having graduated as a mature student, and Edinburgh was where a job came up so I thought, why not give it a try.

Turned out to be the best decision ever!! I moved to lovely Portobello which has to be one of the best places in the UK to bring up children. A fantastic local community, stunning beach, lots going on locally, good schools, and very easy access to a fabulous city. Do it, OP. I'm biased because I absolutely love Porty, but further down the coast, Musselburgh is also great if you want to be slightly away from the buzz of the city, and I have friends in Cockenzie and Prestonpans which generally aren't highly-thought-of areas, but they have their nice parts and my friends are happy there.

CormoranStrike · 22/05/2018 03:23

What about this one @cherrytrees123 ?

www.scotsman.com/property/inside-georgian-farmhouse-sale-beautiful-rural-fife-location

starryeyedsnowgirl · 22/05/2018 03:43

That budget would get you a nice house in willowbrae/ duddingston. 15 minutes to town on the bus and right on the boundary of holyrood park- nice and open but not too far out.

Original poster
cherrytrees123 · 22/05/2018 09:20

Cormoron, that house is to die for! I have seen a lot of the houses mentioned and am trying to get up to view. It's just such a hassle trying to get up there as houses sell so fast.

I must admit, I do agree Edinburgh has become very busy, traffic is a nightmare etc. So many things to think about. Would love to live in Portobello, but don't want to live in a flat, and houses are ridiculously expensive. Just missed out on one in Duddingston in March.

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morningtoncrescent62 · 22/05/2018 11:32

How about this house in Musselburgh?

This one is beautiful, but I suspect with offers over might tip over your maximum budget.

Or this?

CormoranStrike · 22/05/2018 12:54

If you buy it @cherrytrees123 please invite me to your housewarming party!

Original poster
cherrytrees123 · 22/05/2018 13:27

Thanks for all these great comments... keep them coming! The index of deprivation is very useful too.

OP posts: