Which area of Edinburgh to live in (on a budget)?

[sleepingdragons]

We're moving back to DP's hometown (Edinburgh) and we've just started looking at houses.

I know Edinburgh only from visiting so I have a visitor's eye view of the city and I can see we can't afford to live in any of those nice central places, sadly!

DP has suggested:

Balerno / Currie / Juniper Green
Leith
Musselburgh
South Queensferry
I also found some nice houses in Willowbrae

What are schools like in these areas? My eldest is not long off secondary, and my youngest is primary age. I know Currie's a good school but there's a bit of a question mark over school provision in the SW of the city at the moment (anyone know what's going on with that?) but I don't know much about the other areas.

We have a budget of about £300K, or maybe up to £325K at a push which feels like a lot to me, but obviously - not in Edinburgh.

Are there any other areas you'd suggest? DP hasn't lived there for a couple of decades at least!

Thanks :)

IF you want to live in the city might I suggest you don't torture yourself by looking at further out places which will give you more house for your money, but obviously at the expense of being far, far away.

Both pretty self sufficient but commutable by bus (night buses too!). Bonnyrigg has pretty good schools, not entirely sure about Dalkeith in that respect. One pp mentioned Penicuick and Roslin, they’re lovely too but in terms of commute I think Bonnyrigg and Dalkeith are easier (unless you’re planning on driving everywhere).

Oh OP if you have your heart set on the city, you won’t like any of these options. I’d suggest Liberton or Gilmerton then, still close enough to the centre but not as extortionate.
If money was no object, I’d live in Stockbridge (one can dream).

I personally would do everything I could to be near the centre. No point moving up here only to live in the arse end of nowhere. I love Leith, it's close to the city centre and the water, so best of both worlds. You would need to be careful when choosing schools though. Lots of families living in the Leith Links area.
Trinity, Craigleith and Canonmills might be within financial reach if lucky.
Good luck!

More buses to Penicuik than Dalkeith I think.

Penicuiks a bit of a shithole though, sorry, that town centre is the most depressing place ever.

Def don't do the borders, we're 20 miles from edinburgh. Takes 45 min to drive, 1 hour 15 ish on the bus. And the shops are shite

You've obviously never been to Cowdenbeath then. Penicuik has nice areas, some quite posh, and is excellent for bus access to Edinburgh etc.

@Ohdobakeoffdear

I skim read and thought I saw Gorebridge, Stockbridge. I wondered about your dreams!

Dalkeith is nice, big house on your budget easily, lots of nature and close to centre. Car or bus. Is actually Edinburgh rather than town outside.

I'd go for by the water too, some lovely places.

I have a house very city centre, on one of the streets parallel to Princes' Street. Lots of good school choices but kids in a city centre is a personal choice. Edinburgh is quite good for families though, I don't worry for kids there the way I would in other cities.

Also, I have not been able to park my car anywhere near my house and I have two parking spaces. I practically drive to the water for somewhere spacious enough for my useless parking. So I may as well have bought there:)

Do not, under any circumstances, move to Bo'ness unless you're a fan of The Wickerman

What about East Craig's?

I'm near Willowbrae and it's a nice area. Maybe a 20 minute walk from Portobello, 10 minutes walk from Arthur's Seat and Holyrood Park. Plenty buses running into town. Some if the houses going up the side of the hill have amazing views. I would love one of those.
Primary school is Parsons Green which is lovely. Portobello High School which is a bit mixed but generally I only hear good things from parents. My eldest starts there in August. Or Mountcastle? The area just nezt to Willowbrae. Mainly 1930s style bungalows, I don't know if that's your thing.

Sorry, I'm not sure loys of people suggesting lots of new areas is helping you narrow down your search!

I lived on Bridge Street in Musselburgh about 10-15 years ago, unless it’s changed a fair bit I’d look further in to Musselburgh. It’s a lovely place to live, the river and bridge are gorgeous. But Bridge St wasn’t quiet. I lived at 13a and your link is 19. There’s a theatre, the Brunton Hall, and the council offices too.

Off all of your choices, I would also go for the Meadowbank/Willowbrae area. I grew up just a bit on from there in Craigentinny and I walked home from Princes Street many times! It's definitely the most central area, and it's a fine place to live.

I’d also recommend Willowbrae from your list if you went to actually be in the city. It’s a respectable area and you have Arthur’s seat within walking distance and can get to Portobello easily.

If you don’t mind commuting then Linlithgow is by far the nicest choice that has been mentioned already.

I agree that Bridge Street isn't the ideal place to live - it's on the main road into Musselburgh.

This house in Willowbrae looks lovely though the offers over system may take it out of your reach.

This one which is right by the park isn't as pretty from the outside but may work for you?

There a similar high school issue going on in West Fife at the moment, mainly affecting catchments in Dunfermline and Rosyth but even once the current issue is resolved there are still longer term questions over capacity and potential new schools and yet the housebuilding continues....

My advice would be to steer clear unless this HAS to be your location (which it doesn’t sound like it has to be)

Can I recommend the ESPC for properties.

You also need to take into account that with the current market what it’s listed at is the lowest. 2 houses in my street were listed £290k but sold for £320k. Houses are selling super fast.

Penicuk town centre isn't great but I lived in Penicuik for 6 years and was rarely ever in the town centre except for the GP and Dentist. Some lovely areas and right on the bus route with night bus too. Schools are decent and it's less than 10 miles from Princes street. What end of town will your DPs work be OP?

I live in Dalgety Bay. It's definitely a community, so if making friends and feeling part of things is high on your priority list I would recommend it. You also get a lot on your doorstep and Edinburgh is 25 mins by train.

You don't get many particularly old houses with period features - it can be new build city.

It's still pretty Scottish 😆 (although I have to confess I'm originally English), although you do get a good mix of other nationalities here also. I find it very inclusive.

I find you get the odd comment - fairly few and far between though - of people saying "oh very posh" with a slight sneering but not unkind tone (but only slightly) when you say where you live. It tends to be people from elsewhere in Fife or Falkirk who have said this for some reason! I don't know is it is to do with old perceptions? Who knows 🤷‍♀️

I see you have a ratho property on your list. I know it well and can highly recommend. Ratho is 8 miles from Princes Street, 4 miles from the Gyle (major business park and shopping centre). 15 min drive from airport. Well placed for those with family members working west (west Lothian or Lanarkshire, Glasgow) or north (fife) but wanting to live in Edinburgh or who travel with work via airport. It is a conservation village with greenfields all around it, but well connected to Edinburgh centre via bus, tram and train.

Village school is nurturing and wants the best for pupils. The school and the community centre are the hub of village life. The primary school feeds into Balerno High school (a well regarded State school) and will now be unaffected by the re organisation of catchments impacting upon our neighbours in Currie.

On this subject the council are due to make an announcement regarding their plans for Currie/wester hailes catchments on 21st June, so if interested in Currie as an area to live, there should be some clarity coming soon.

In the last 20 plus years I have lived in many areas of Edinburgh, including Trinity, Colinton, Slateford and Saughton. I think the community of Ratho has been the most welcoming and is a great place to bring up kids.

I think a lot depends on where you will be working and what lifestyle you want. Ratho is semi rural yet has easy access to all that Edinburgh offers. If you really yearn for Stockbridge it maybe isn't for you though.

I wouldn't consider Gilmerton or Liberton, at secondary level state education is below average on academic results.

Good luck with your hunt for a home

I came across this thread, gushing about "lovely" Linlithgow and being less than positive about neighbouring Bo'ness. The posters don't say where they live, but I live in Bo'ness, and it's a good place to live. It has a restored cinema and a proper theatre, nice independent shops, amazing walks and green spaces and fantastic history. Anyone thinking of living here should maybe come and see for themselves. Certainly plenty of housebuilders are keen to build in Bo'ness. They must see something in the town. unlockboness.com/