Living in Edinburgh

[Hillary17]

Me & my boyfriend are currently debating a big move and so far Edinburgh is very much a favourite. It would be a massive move as I've lived in the Midlands all my life, but we're both in agreement that 2019 is the year we make the jump! We did contemplate a move down south but it doesn't make sense financially. His company has an office in ED so it would be an easy move, but I would need to find another job [I'm not too worried about as I have a pretty strong CV].

Ideally we'd like to live somewhere with decent public transport [I can't drive], a few cafes etc. and good primary school. At the minute we rent a 3 bed semi-detached house in the suburbs for £750 a month but we have room to spend more for the right house.

Any tips on living in Edinburgh? Best areas for a young family? Has anyone else made a big move?

Hi - I live in Edinburgh - you might get a better response by reposting in Scotsnet.

Edinburgh is a beautiful and expensive city. Have a look at s1 homes rental section for prices - you're probably looking at a 1-bed flat for £750, for a house in the suburbs it's 2-3x that - sorry!

Have to agree- you’re going to have to up your price massively

Used to live in Edinburgh- Im really sorry but even 'far out' of city centre you'd be £1k+ a month. www.rightmove.co.uk/property-to-rent/property-69085693.html

Have you thought of somewhere like lenzie? Commutable for your DH and also to Glasgow if you wanted to look there? www.rightmove.co.uk/property-to-rent/find.html?locationIdentifier=REGION%5E89915&maxBedrooms=3&minBedrooms=3&sortType=1&propertyTypes=detached%2Csemi-detached%2Cterraced&primaryDisplayPropertyType=houses

On the bright side, Edinburgh has a really good and well-priced bus system compared to many cities so your public transport should be easy enough. Is your partner’s office in the West end or elsewhere? That makes a difference to where you should look.

We've just left Edinburgh because its becoming so expensive - we were £1100 per month for a 2 bed in Trinity/Leith and the landlord put the rent to £1250 when it was being re-let. You'll definitely have to up your budget if you want somewhere nice.

At those prices you could rent in outer London! Plenty of two beds in places like Plumstead, Welling or Sidcup - good schools and as safe as London gets. Good commute to central London too for jobs and, dare I say it, warmer than Edinburgh!

There are some advantage to being a tenant in Scotland, though. No tenancy fees or minimum rental contracts.

If you're looking for an area with good schools;

Braehead Avenue, Barnton, Edinburgh
www.rightmove.co.uk/property-to-rent/property-59029164.html

Orchard Drive, Edinburgh, EH4
www.rightmove.co.uk/property-to-rent/property-58551843.html

Parkgrove Road, Edinburgh
www.rightmove.co.uk/property-to-rent/property-58003782.html

Corbiehill Road, Davidson Mains, Edinburgh, EH4
www.rightmove.co.uk/property-to-rent/property-57021657.html

Kimmerghame Terrace, Fettes, Edinburgh
www.rightmove.co.uk/property-to-rent/property-67827481.html

These are all 3-beds in suburban areas, there are some in areas where you would probably not want to live (Pilton/Granton/Muirhouse).

Rents are cheaper in commutable areas eg Livingston, Dalkeith, Dunfermline.

I'm in Midlothian, which is on the other side of Edinburgh bypass (I can drive to city centre in less than 30 minutes) prices are way more reasonable here, but brilliant public transport in and out of Edinburgh. I love the city and cannot recommend enough 😀

Thank you! At the minute we’re about 20 minutes out of the city so happy to commute in. The public transport aspect is the biggest issue for us really. Will take a look at the area

My boyfriend is a consultant at the minute and oddly, earns more now than he would in London due to supply and demand! A move down south would tie us to central London really! I don’t mind it for a weekend - but I’ve never felt a desire to live there or raise a family there! We also really want to be on the doorstep of good country walks and the coast.

Thanks! Will repost We’re happy to spend more for the right place - we have a bit of a bargain where we are now and have been here for quite some time with a good landlord.

You should look at Fife. Inverkeithing, Dalgety Bay and Dunfermline has good commuter links to Edinburgh centre and you would find a house similar to what you have for roughly same price.