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

Original poster

Where to live in Edinburgh / Lothians?

86 replies

howmanyleftfeet · 28/03/2019 23:30

Please can you help me narrow the areas we're looking at?

We're planning on moving to Edinburgh this summer. DH is Scottish and lived in Edinburgh for many years as a young man but has never lived there as a child or as a parent, so I need some help with choosing good areas to live in as a family.

Our budget is "only" £325k (seems a lot to me but I know it's not much for Edinburgh). So we're looking at areas on the edge of town, or possibly out of town but a small commute in.

We've been looking, online, at Musselburgh, Linlithgow, Portobello when the occasional one comes up, Leith, Juniper Green / Currie / Balerno, Ratho, Gorebridge and lots of villages.

We're spending Easter visiting places with fresh "do we want to live here" eyes.

If we could choose anywhere I'd chose the centre and DH would choose totally rural! But we're both open to compromise.

Our eldest will be going to secondary soon.

Have I missed any places off the list? Where would you choose?

Thanks :)

OP posts:
MoreProseccoNow · 29/03/2019 16:02

Eek, posted too soon.

Here's another one in West Ediburgh, below budget, the catchment of Craigmount High.

Craigs Park, Corstorphine, Edinburgh, EH12 8UN
www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-70743958.html

It's got good transport links, schools & an easy commute, right on the edge of the city.

Ellabella989 · 29/03/2019 16:08

Linlithgow is really nice and I have a relative who teaches at the high school.

Currie and Balerno are both quite nice but i’d say Linlithgow has a nicer community feel with it being a proper town.

Wouldn’t recommend Leith as the school is quite rough (at least it was when I was growing up near there but may have changed).

WaxOnFeckOff · 29/03/2019 16:18

I quite fancied this - catchment for Broughton High which sits mid table in terms of academic performance but it depends really on whether that's the only criteria you want to judge on. I have no idea what it's like. That wasn't my area growing up.

www.s1homes.com/Flats-for-sale/2019032806221225.shtml

IMissGin · 29/03/2019 16:19

Linlithgow has an EH postcode but it’s pretty much Falkirk, Roslin is really good- great school, lots of new builds but period properties inly come up pretty rarely. I’d look at Lasswade and Dalkeith too.

Saw Stockbridge/ravelston mentioned which would be my pick but I don’t think you’ll get what you want in budget

IMissGin · 29/03/2019 16:21

Bear in mind that actual Edinburgh properties are still going for 10-20% over offers over and offer over home report in desirable areas

WaxOnFeckOff · 29/03/2019 16:22

Or this for Craigmount High

www.s1homes.com/Houses-for-sale/2019032602393916.shtml

MaderiaCycle · 29/03/2019 16:22

Edinburgh property market is fierce at the moment. We regularly offered 15-18% over asking and got nothing for about 6 months. Our current property was on for 395k and we bought at 445k but needed a lot of decorative work (think pink panther pink bedrooms)

justanothernameonthewall · 29/03/2019 16:48

Colinton/ Bonaly. Right on the edge of the pentland hills, excellent primary, secondary school, bus only 20 mins to town centre, lovely village feel. Make sure you get a house in the catchment for Bonaly primary. And if you need a childminder.... 😊

Puffinhead · 29/03/2019 16:53

A friend of mine recently moved to Scotland with her family. They were originally looking at Edinburgh but actually ended up in Dunfermline- easily commutable to Edinburgh and a lot cheaper. And they can see Edinburgh Castle from their window!

MoreProseccoNow · 29/03/2019 17:08

I would not like to do the Dunfermline to Edinburgh commute by car, in rush hour - it's hideous.

Tavannach · 29/03/2019 17:30

North Berwick?
About a half hour from Edinburgh on the train AFAIK the school has a great reputation.

Would be this kind of house.

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-78779738.html

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-60511386.html

Puffinhead · 29/03/2019 17:49

Ahh, I wouldn’t know about driving the commute, they go by train.

ManchesterBees · 29/03/2019 17:55

I'm in west Edinburgh, there was an Edinburgh news article this week ranking the state high schools. Balerno and currie were near the top. The canal is a great way to cycle into town for work. There is a lot of new builds in Prestonpans and East Lothian. Hope that helps x

justbeginit · 29/03/2019 17:56

Mussleburgh is good if your on the Edinburgh side of the river. Into town in 6 mins by train and good family accommodation. Inveresk is a nice area, anything around stoneybank and campie schools tend to comannd a higher price.

CaptBarnacles · 29/03/2019 17:58

I would recommend that you also look at Buckstone. It’s in the only affordable part of the catchment for Boroughmuir High School (the highest performing secondary school in Edinburgh). The primary (Buckstone) is good too. Buckstone is inside the bypass, and has good transport links into town.
You would be able to get a 3 bed just about for your budget.

WaxOnFeckOff · 29/03/2019 18:14

Firrhill also did really well from that end of town and has more affordable bits too.

Wacadu · 29/03/2019 18:17

Kirknewton in West Lothian (but only just) is nice and Balerno is the catchment high school.

Original poster
howmanyleftfeet · 29/03/2019 19:25

WaxOnFeckOff ideally I'd prefer a house - but I love that flat for the location and the massive shared garden - if it's still on the market when ours sells that'd be very tempting indeed!

(As we're moving from the English to Scottish systems we're selling up here first, and will stay with Scottish family while we house hunt if needs be, I can't see how to make it work otherwise).

OP posts:
Original poster
howmanyleftfeet · 29/03/2019 19:31

WaxOnFeckOff the West Craigs one is right up my street also (no pun intended!). I'd already spotted that one. The garden is lovely.

OP posts:
Sexnotgender · 29/03/2019 19:35

Have you thought about Kirkcaldy? You get so much more for your money.

Balwearie High School is very good.

Snowoctopus · 29/03/2019 19:41

South Queensferry. 20 mins by train into the centre of Edinburgh. Lots of lovely walks in easy reach: Dalmeny Estate, Hopetoun Estate, Dundas Estate.
Great community. All the very best with your search!

WaxOnFeckOff · 29/03/2019 19:44

I tend to know the west and south side of the city better than the other areas and also lived in penicuik for a while. if I ever moved back i'd probably still be looking at those sides as that's where I feel comfortable. You have the entire area to choose from so definitely worth just having a bogle about.

Haddington?
espc.com/property/denovo-brewery-park-haddington-eh41-3ab/35615777?sid=428062

Lorelaithe1st · 29/03/2019 21:24

howmanyleftfeet DH is starting a new job next month but might be a long time until we move as we’ll be selling in a very oversaturated market Sad

Good luck on your search!

Groovee · 29/03/2019 21:26

I live in Corstorphine. Originally grew up in Slateford. Moved to the gyle then we moved to Corstorphine. Close to trams and buses as well as train stations. I work in South Queensferry so easy commute for me and Dd is at uni in Dundee so easy for her to get up and down by train or car.

Never dreamed we'd end up here but we are happy.