Edinburgh- best places to live for a Londoner and young family

[mousemole]

I am London born and bred and have finally been convinced to move with hubby's job to Edinburgh. I love it as a visitor but am nervous about moving so far away from family and friends. We have 2 boys, 3 and 1.
So, what are best city centre areas to live in ? Where should you live to be near the best nurseries and schools (private or state)?
Am I totally mad or will I fall in love with the place ? Any other tips gratefully received. We will be renting at first.

Not to worry, beans, you'll get over it after your first fortnight in NZ!

yeah, I know. I'm over it already. I just have little moments of sadness occasionally.

If I were moving from London, I would move to either Stockbridge or Morningside (or Grange).

Schools would be either Edinburgh Academy or St Margarets.

those are independent schools as something to keep in mind.

but morningside and bruntsfield are in in very good catchment areas for public schools.

the author ian rankin sends one of his sons to the local secondary school (his other child requires an SN school, however).

those are independent schools as something to keep in mind.

but morningside and bruntsfield are in in very good catchment areas for public schools.

the author ian rankin sends one of his sons to the local secondary school (his other child requires an SN school, however).

I'm in Edinburgh. I'd rent as close in to town as you can afford to begin with until you build up your own area preferences. Morningside, Bruntsfield, Grange are all extremely popular with families and there are plenty gorgeous big flats or houses for renting. Plenty local buzz. New Town is beautiful but not sure of how great for young kids. I think these other areas will have much more for them to become involved in and therefore you will have a much stronger chance to meet up with people. People often joke that everyone knows everyone in Edinburgh....its almost true!!!

What is your renting budget? Will DH's firm pay?

The New Town, as it is called, covers the centre of Edinburgh. Not to be mixed up with Newington which is just outside city centre.....its is great too but not quite as posh

Ooh I love giving Edinburgh advice

As previously mentioned, Morningside is brilliant for families, there is also, at that end of the price range, Barnton, Cramond, the Grange, New Town (which is where Stockbridge is), Dean Village and Duddingston.

Stockbridge, Cramond, Dean Village and Morningside are like little villages, they have a very villagey feel, and are packed with lovely little independent shops, restaurants, bars and have good schools and parks and things.

Cannonmills is right beside Stockbridge in the New Town and is just as nice, but property is slightly cheaper.

Barnton, the Grange and Duddingston are a bit more suburby, though Edinburgh is very small and nowhere is more than 15 minutes or so on a bus. And the buses are great, frequent, fast, reliable and comfortable.

If you are looking at a lower budget, there is Willowbrae, Currie, Silverknowes, Leith, Holyrood/Abbeyhill, Portobello, Liberton.. all nice places, and all still have some very expensive properties in them, however there are much more lower priced properties in these areas.

If you really want to live in the centre, then try anywhere in the Old Town; Royal Mile, Canongait, Cowgate, Grassmarket, Lauriston, Marchmont, or anywhere around the Bridges (though the bridges tends to be full of students).

Hope this helps

Have a look here for house prices

Would agree that on the Southside Morningside, Grange, Bruntsfield are all lovely - but also Newington.

On the North side try Trinity and Stockbridge

Edinburgh is great - it is a city but still small enough that you don't feel lost. I live quite far out on the South side and I walked home from the New Town in under an hour.

Pick an area and we'll tell you what we think [meep waves to fellow Edinburgh folk!]

BTW mm - Newington and the Bridges are the same thing. I should really have said Newington, sorry.

DSM - I live in Newington but I'm nowhere near the Bridges!?

Except you don't want to live on or near any of those bridges except if you are a student.

Where's nailpolish?

She's lived in loads of places in Edinburgh.

Agree - Bridges not good unless you are a student.

Where is Newington do you live?

I always refer to Newington as the Bridges, most people I know do.. even though I know it stretches quite far from the actual bridges

Newington is much further south. I would start at the Odeon and go as far as Cameron Toll.

dirtysexymummy - no WAY is the grange suburby! i can walk to princes street in 20 mins, 5 mins on a bus. I think of myself as tres sophisticated - haha - can't bear to think of myself in suburbia!

Having lived in both Newington and the Bridges I would say they are most definately not the same thing - very different property and vibe. Newington more suited to family life IMO.

If thinking of state schools - at primary level you are fine, secondary schooling is trickier with about 4/5 high school you would chose/consider I think. This is our big dilema in trying to move back to Edinburgh - house v. school; mortage v. 3x school fees - although given current climate might be a moot point

agree with Squeakypop and I am a Southsider from birth! There are some fantastic big houses in Newington on either side of Minto Street.

Definitely agree that Bridges is for students - Marchmont can be the same but is much lovlier than the bridges!

and to the OP, if i were you, i'd aim southside - great playgroups, nurseries and schools...also near the Meadows (a big green...meadow), the museum (although frustratingly half shut for about twenty years), commonwealth pool (although shutting next year for refurb), good local shops but best of all real communities. you will LOVE it.

In Marchmont, the students are on the top floors, Long term rsidents are on teh ground and intermediate flors

By Suburby for the grange, I meant the feel of it, it is quieter, you wouldn't think you were 10 minutes from the centre of town. The houses have gardens.. that kind of thing. I don't mean its actually the suburbs!

Yes - I know what you mean, I would say that Newington goes all the way from the Bridges to Cameron Toll as well. However, I still call it the Bridges.. right up Minto street. Don't know why. I totally agree that the closer to Princes Street you go, the more studenty it is.

phew was just about to get out my polyester slacks and start washing the car! or swinging or whatever they do in the burbs these days.

Not quite yet..

I should really make sure I am being clear in my posts however..

oh wouldn't worry about it, most of the time i post rubbish (usually cos i've had my medicinal drink by now!)