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.

rosycheeks - I've got a friend who lives in the Leith Colonies and she's never short of childcare - all the kids are in and out of each others houses. A bit of me would love that for my kids. However, maybe our Dp's have a point - in the Stockbridge Colonies it might be that stockbrokers would be in and out of your house all day - and that's an entirely different proposition... .

mozzies like to float along on the water like birds.

they're bastards, too, but they don't swarm you like midgies.

Do they maybe just get blown away?

i'll have to research them a bit more.

mozzies have prickles on their legs which give them super strength on water and they can literally ride out hurricanes on top of water.

midgie is smaller, but a mozzie cousin.

i need to wicki them, i think.

Get to work Expat - I want to know!

hmm, appears they might be in a different genus from mozzies and they might be flies.

their larvae are aquatic, though and there are even non-biting midges.

i hadn't realised that they can spread livestock diseases like blue tongue.

I moved to Edinburgh almost 7 years ago and I love it DC goes to South Morningside Primary, it's a fantastic school. Only problem is that house /flat prices are v high... I was very lucky and found a flat for very reasonable rent.

k, the first guess appears to be right.

midgies seek shelter in cool, humid locations sheltered from the wind.

What is blue tongue?

So, they lay eggs in the water then? Didn't know that. Might stop paddling..

it's a nasty disease that affect large livestock like cattle.

yuk, yes, they lay eggs in water.

i hope they all blow away to hell tonight, it's howling out there and the girls haven't been able to play with their sand table in days for them.

i went out to put slug tape and vaseline on my herbs and they bit the hell out of me, even with Jungle on - it doesn't work as well as Skin So Soft but that is soooo greasy.

Maybe you should move back into the city?

they're only a seasonal nuisance, whereas neighbours in our city flat were an ongoing bother, especially Coldplay fans.

I must agree that Coldplay are a perennial nuisance.

they make me want to get medieval.

chris martin is a twonk and a eunuch.

Actually the violent neighbours were complaining about us! We dared to let DS crawl around our (carpeted) living room floor and that was too noisy for them and sparked a relentless campaign of intimidation and threats! They were nuts But{deep breath] we are free now!
Would have loved to have moved to Leith colonies and there are real bargains down there now [ESPC addict]but DP vetoed for same 'everyone living on top of each other' reasons... that and the smell of shite !!

has the OP been back to this thread yet?!

I had to leave to deal with small wailing child last night and missed all this chat!!!

Looking forward to trying to spot redrobin and herecomethegirls in their wanderings around the Grange! I will try not to give you the Edinburgh frosty glowr if you spot me and dd and come to say hello!

ooh sorry, I am back ( christening party on sat to arrange taking all my time !
Ladies, what a lot of FAB advice. Thank you so so much and do keep it coming. DH's company pays for first 6 months and I think will pay up to £3k a month for rental. Morningside sounds fab, the villagey feel sounds wonderful as although we are just outside London at the mo, there is a real village feel which I will miss. I walk everywhere at the moment and want to continue that. DH is trying to get a visit arranged in next couple of weeks so we can see some houses and areas. Having done a quick search I cant find much to rent which has 4-5beds but will keep searching.
Please keep any more advice coming. Thanks to you all I am now really excited about coming !

4-5 beds are more scarce, and they're in very high demand by groups of students at this time of year.

Perhaps hire an agent?

An agent might be better able to spot such properties for rent.

yes am having a look to see if there are any relocation agents

Rettie & Co do posh houses so give them a go they'll find you something

I was also having a nosey at this site - have a neb at:
Wester Coates Avenue: 2 mins from centre
Landsdowne Crescent: West End/centre
Gloucester Place: West End
Eglinton Crescent: West End
Denham Green Park: Trinity North Side - lovely (I used to live round the corner)

Message withdrawn

I'll be up there in late July, m'dear (not local but would love to be!)

I do that too Pruners!

I'll put a Fruitshoot in the bottle pocket of my nappy bag and shout loudly about fanjos so you can spot me next time I'm at the Botanics!

Give your child an empty Fruit Shoot bottle to suck on, Pruni. An orange one.

That will get everyone's attention in the Botanics .