Move to Edinburgh

[sarahepeel]

My husband has been working in Edinburgh for 7 months now but the commute (from Somerset) is getting a bit much so we're considering a move to Edinburgh (12-18 months initially and then reviewing the situation). I have one son in Y7 and one in Y5 so schools are important. We are homing in on Musselburgh for rental prices, its transport links to work and the distance to archery, climbing and sailing clubs, as well as decent walks for the dog. What is this area like? Do any kids in Musselburgh go to school in Dalkeith?

There's a quick back-roads route from Musselburgh to Dalkeith that avoids the bypass entirely, if that helps. Takes about 10 minutes.

@GrouchyKiwi - tried to do that last week and it took ages, I knew my DSDad had got us lost and wasn't admitting it!!!

Thanks again, everyone who has contributed - we are adapting our search to consider places on bus routes and are looking at a house in Fairmilehead next week (Firrhill/Pentland Primary catchment).

Heh Lonny. I guess it depends on which part of Dalkeith you need to get to, but for the high school it's very easy.

If you're looking at Fairmilehead, Eden Rock is a newish bouldering centre one junction down the bypass at Straiton and is used for lots of comps and has a youth squad or as others say EICA at Ratho is excellent and has their own squad and a speed wall too. (it is v cold in winter though!) ClimbScotland is the best resource for youth climbing and has regular comps including YCS for selection of the Scottish youth squad. Feel free if you want to PM me for any details as my wee one climbs lots. Bypass is awful in rush hour so maybe try possible commutes at key times to see how you find it.

I actually think it would be a good choice. Fairmilehead is an area I'm very familiar with and Firrhill is a good school. Handy for the hills and lovely walks. Good service into town and Morningside and Colinton village nearby. Very fresh air!

I would happily live in Musselburgh. It's near enough for all the city living you might want, but really close to the East Lothian countryside and beaches. Yes it's not the poshest place, Dunbar and North Berwick are posher, but they're further from Edinburgh and more expensive.
Most places in and around Edinburgh are easy enough to get to. The bus service is great. Unless you have an awkward commute. And there is a train station in Musselburgh. Dont rule it out.
There is a sailing club in Portobello also, just 5 minutes away from Musselburgh. It's smaller but active.

Actually OP, flitwit has reminded me you should look in Portobello itself. Doesn't have the train, but there's a beach, great bus service to the city, brand-new high school and a great (if crowded) primary right on the beach.

I was going to suggest Portobello as I've seen quite a few MNers saying how happy they've been there, both about the school and the community.

My only real experience of it is visiting a friend from Uni who lived there (but that was 40 years ago ) and walking through it at 6am in the morning when I did the Moon Walk a few years ago. It looked very nice though!