Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Scotsnet

Welcome to Scotsnet - discuss all aspects of life in Scotland, including relocating, schools and local areas.

Flip

Original poster

Flats in Edinburgh

25 replies

MissBabbs · 06/09/2017 07:59

My DD is looking to buy a flat in central Edinburgh (with some help from DPs) and which I will visit occasionally.
I was wondering why there are so many ground floor flats on the market. I would have thought they'd be seen as desirable but is there a risk of break-ins or something?
Any ideas?

OP posts:

WaxOnFeckOff · 06/09/2017 18:46

I lived alone in 3 different ground floor flats but not right n the city centre. I think although break ins might be the reason, it's probably more likely to be less desirable because of noise or passers by if you are right on the street in a front flat. You could have people walking past your bedroom window so I think it might not feel very private if it's a busy street.

I think it would really depend on location, in a quietish street or rear flat with a secure entry system I think it would be fine.

Original poster

MissBabbs · 06/09/2017 20:01

Yes, that could be it. There will be less privacy.
To me it seems a good idea to be on the ground floor - no climbing several flights with the shopping.

OP posts:

mintbiscuit · 06/09/2017 20:04

Ah... but in Edinburgh you could be missing out on awesome views by being on the ground.

Sunbeam18 · 06/09/2017 20:15

Grown floor and top floor (if its a 3-floor tenement) are usually the cheapest flats as least desirable. I always chose to be top floor in that situation as i felt safer plus liked to get views.

WaxOnFeckOff · 06/09/2017 20:19

plus usually roof lights in the stair on the top floor so it was much brighter too Sunbeam. I used to deliver leaflets for spare cash.

MorrisZapp · 06/09/2017 20:20

We're top floor. Great views, plenty privacy, no footsteps overhead. Also great fun pissing off tradesmen with their pantomime of knackeredness.

It's three flights pal. Toughen up.

KingLooieCatz · 06/09/2017 20:28

Less light and typically less space. Very noticeable when we viewed, due to the main door entrance through to the back door, which the upper flats don't lose space too. Not sure if I'm explaining that very well. Everyone I know dreams of a "main door" flat.

WaxOnFeckOff · 06/09/2017 20:31

I had a main door flat with my own front garden. Some bastard stole my garden bench!

Original poster

MissBabbs · 07/09/2017 03:57

Yes, if we view some properties it will no doubt flag up the negatives, there's lots on the market which is good.

OP posts:

LindyHemming · 07/09/2017 07:18

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Ifailed · 07/09/2017 07:32

in the mornings my living room floor was covered with beetles.
You had the Fab 4 stopping over?

Sunbeam18 · 07/09/2017 09:12

Yes, having people overhead is an annoying thing. Plus anyone ringing the buzzer to get into the building tries the ground flat buzzer first, also annoying.

StatisticallyChallenged · 07/09/2017 10:58

Where are you looking op?

As well as the factors mentioned above, it could be that your search parameters - mainly price - are excluding the higher floors. I've seen lots where the ground floor flat has a bedroom less than floors above due to main door, back door, communal cupboards etc so that might be having an impact. There's also lots of double uppers in some areas which might have 3 or 4 bedrooms and so not be in your search due to size or price. Plus smaller places are likely to have a higher turnover as people move up to bigger places.

Original poster

MissBabbs · 07/09/2017 22:18

Thanks Statically good point about the upper floors having more bedrooms.
We are looking Leith Walk roughly.

OP posts:

fluffygreenmonsterhoody · 07/09/2017 22:22

I love Leith Walk.

Don't buy a ground floor flat on it though.

LindyHemming · 07/09/2017 22:22

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Sunbeam18 · 07/09/2017 22:42

Def don't buy a ground floor flat on or around Leith Walk.

Sunbeam18 · 07/09/2017 22:42

Great vibrant area though!

StatisticallyChallenged · 07/09/2017 22:52

I also wouldn't go ground floor on Leith walk.

There's a lot of locals on here so if you can say roughly what you are after and budget we might be able to suggest options you haven't considered.

StatisticallyChallenged · 07/09/2017 22:53

Euphemia we have seasonal beetles, only a few but August September is beetle season for us.

expatinscotland · 07/09/2017 23:01

We had a lovely 2nd floor flat off Leith Walk. I really felt for the bastards on the ground floor, though, that shit was noisy, especially at weekends.

dotdotdotmustdash · 07/09/2017 23:09

I would head more towards Abbeyhill/Meadowbank area if I were you - much quieter and still close to town with lots of amenities. Leith Walk can be very lively!

Sunbeam18 · 07/09/2017 23:09

Some lovely tenement flats in the streets around Leith Walk and Easter Road. If you need advice on first-time buyer areas, ask away!

Sunbeam18 · 07/09/2017 23:10

My first bought flat was in Meadowbank/ Willowbrae. Walkable into town, but not too rowdy.

Original poster

MissBabbs · 08/09/2017 20:22

Thanks for suggestions. Will take the 'avoid ground floor' advice for Leith Walk. It is DD's choice so too much advice from me won't be welcome. But I may come back here in the coming weeks once she has narrowed her search, thanks all.

OP posts:

Flip