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Original poster

Edinburgh southside with £550k budget

37 replies

Jintz · 20/05/2019 12:56

Hi,
Looking for some local advice. Considering moving over to Edinburgh and would be keen to get in to James Gillespie or Sciennes (heard rave reviews). Love the meadows, walking proximity to town/work and neighbourhood but aware that it is expensive and highly desirable. Realistically, what can you get for £550k that is not an upper or flat? We would like 3 +beds and must have garden space, somewhere to park. There isn’t a lot on the market just now.

OP posts:
LizzieMacQueen · 20/05/2019 18:47

Which websites are you looking at? Edinburgh housing market still largely relies on ESPC rather than, for example, Rightmove.

Original poster
Jintz · 20/05/2019 20:30

Hi @LizzieMacQueen Thanks for replying, looking at both of the above.

OP posts:
Sexnotgender · 20/05/2019 20:36

espc.com/property/68-priestfield-road-edinburgh-eh16-5jb/35757872?sid=410951

Nice area. House could use some modernisation but is under budget.

Original poster
Jintz · 20/05/2019 20:42

Thanks, @Sexnotgender. Had a look on map and was wondering if we could get closer for the budget.

OP posts:
Sexnotgender · 20/05/2019 20:43

I’d be surprised. You’re looking in one of the most expensive areas.

museumum · 20/05/2019 20:47

Somewhere to park? You’ll be very very lucky.
In those catchments the buildings are mostly tenement flats. Would you consider a large “main door flat” (means you have your own entrance and often garden but you will have people above). If not then you’re looking at VERY big houses in the grange etc. Probably more than 500k

Sexnotgender · 20/05/2019 20:48

Sorry just realised that’s an upper.

museumum · 20/05/2019 20:53

This is in gillespies catchment but as you see it’s still a flat and it’ll go for over your budget.
espc.com/property/97-st-albans-road-edinburgh-eh9-2pq/35759003?sid=498155

I’d suggest widening your search to other primary schools like Bruntsfield

Original poster
Jintz · 20/05/2019 20:54

Thanks @Sexnotgender and @museumum. Was hoping/dreaming budget would stretch to something in Grange area or the observatory hill area. Had a walk up there. Wishful thinking.

OP posts:
museumum · 20/05/2019 20:55

Or try tollcross?

Original poster
Jintz · 20/05/2019 20:56

Will check out Bruntsfield.

OP posts:
LonnyVonnyWilsonFrickett · 20/05/2019 20:58

Completely wishful thinking I'm afraid - things are going for well over the asking price at the moment too. Your best bet would be a doer-upper in Greenbank but even then I think a) you'll be at the top of your budget before doing the work because b) the competition is fierce.

The one thing I always say to people moving to Edinburgh is don't fret about the primary. They're all pretty good. Worry about secondary. Have a look at Boroughmuir, for example, rather than JG.

Original poster
Jintz · 20/05/2019 20:58

And Tollcross. 👍🏻

OP posts:
NuffingChora · 20/05/2019 21:02

I keep a very, very close eye on this bit of the market and I can’t think of a single house that’s come up in that particular area for your budget in the last couple of years. Upper villas, absolutely, but may not be catchment for both Sciennes and Gillespie’s. Also unlikely to get placement request for either as I understand it. You’re looking at one of the most expensive areas in by far the most expensive city in the country unfortunately. On the plus side, there are lots of other excellent schools in Edinburgh so don’t limit yourself too much.

Original poster
Jintz · 20/05/2019 21:03

Heard great reviews about Boroughmuir. Thanks for that advice.

OP posts:
Ellabella989 · 20/05/2019 21:04

I went to Sciennes primary and absolutely loved it! All the other kids seemed so happy there too

xtinak · 20/05/2019 21:05

I don't think it's feasible to meet all your requirements at that budget from my knowledge of the situation when we moved 6 months ago. At the time we were told to expect this type of property to go for at least 10% over valuation (not asking) and in our experience this was true - and for nice properties very much an underestimate. If you drop one bedroom or the garden or the catchment then yes. However I hope I am wrong and I wish you all the best!!

LonnyVonnyWilsonFrickett · 20/05/2019 21:09

What a difference a catchment makes

Buckstone isn't bonny by any manner of means, but this is a LOT of house...

LonnyVonnyWilsonFrickett · 20/05/2019 21:10

And I'd rather somewhere suburban like Buckstone than Tollcross, for example, which is very busy and studenty.

CaptBarnacles · 20/05/2019 21:10

Look in Buckstone (just slightly further out than morningside). It’s the most affordable part of the Boroughmuir catchment, Buckstone primary also v good.

AloneLonelyLoner · 20/05/2019 21:10

The Meadows or by Gillespie's will be a flat (main door or upper) but I can't imagine an actual house for that money. Maybe in Tollcross so only 10/15 mins walk. But even that will be tough. Look also at Polwarth near the Tennis club but it may be out of catchment. Mine went to Bruntsfield and Boroughmuir while we were there. But daughter got into Gillespie's nursery on pure luck.

Original poster
Jintz · 20/05/2019 21:12

Hi @Nuffingchora, thanks for the insight. Can understand why it’s so popular. Colleague lives walking distance to observatory and she was convinced I could get a modernish house for money. I think she was being kind and positive.

OP posts:
WaxOnFeckOff · 20/05/2019 21:15

If you are going on academic performance, here is the list recently produced by the press. Personally, I'd look at Firrhill or Balerno, a bit more affordable.

www.google.com/amp/s/www.thescottishsun.co.uk/news/4020266/scotland-secondary-schools-results-chart-best-worst-highers/amp/