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

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Original poster

South Queensferry?

22 replies

MrStateTrooper · 02/10/2019 10:34

DH has recently taken up a new job in rural Fife, sort of towards Anstruther way. We're currently in the west of Edinburgh, and at the moment it's quite a commute for him. We're looking to move somewhere a bit closer, but somewhere I can still get into central Edinburgh for my job/DD's nursery. We though South Queensferry, as at least it's closer to the bridge, has a couple of train stations and, from what I've read, some good nurseries for DD to move to when she turns 3.

I've been to SQ a couple of times but can anyone tell me what it's like to live there? Is there plenty to do for wee ones? Any areas to avoid?

OP posts:

BigFatLiar · 02/10/2019 10:46

You may be better on the other side of the bridge, especially if you can find somewhere with access to the train into Edinburgh.

SQ's ok but is a bit of a dormitory town for Edinburgh. Don't think there's anywhere I'd actively avoid, I'd be more interested in parking/access etc. As for what to do with wee ones, depends how wee. There are the usual clubs/groups.

Original poster

MrStateTrooper · 02/10/2019 12:33

@BigFatLiar thanks for the reply. By the time we move, DD will have just turbed 3. Right now we have easy access to the museum, Gorgie Farm, a great park nearby etc. I'll miss having all of that on my doorstep, but thems the breaks I suppose.

We looked at NQ, which is lovely, but just seems a bit...quiet! DH is from Fife, but isn't so keen to move back. It'd be great if we could stay somewhere still on the Lothian Buses service routes.

OP posts:

WaxOnFeckOff · 02/10/2019 12:52

Where is the main sticking point on his commute? Is the somewhere he could be on the other side of that or maybe a quieter route to it?

Invisimamma · 02/10/2019 13:09

My colleague lives is SQ and loves it, she's from Edinburgh and it was a move out of the city for her to set up home. It seems great for families and lovely shops and restaurants at the marina.

BigFatLiar · 02/10/2019 13:22

Its some time since I lived there. I grew up in SQ and still visit. It wasn't quite horse and cart when I was younger(not far off). I mentioned the parking, some of the older houses are on streets where the houses didn't have garages so on street is the norm and can mean little room to pass. There were small parks around for playing plus of course in the warmer weather you have the shore. The beach isn't sandy (used to be nicer a bit further along towards Hopetoun) but a little one may have fun pottering on the shore playing with the pebbles, splashing in rock pools, looking to see what lives in them (she may get a bit soggy though). If she likes that sort of thing go a bit further along to the hawes where you can have easy access to cafes and ice creams as well. Craiggie farm nearby, easy to get into town centre, fairly good bus service. Commuting by train should be easy but the morning service seems a bit iffy just now. Its a fairly good place as far as access to most places if you want days out.

Original poster

MrStateTrooper · 02/10/2019 17:18

Thank you for all your replies

With regards to DH's commute, he actually starts next week, so it's hard to say where the tricky points will be. I guess travelling through the city and getting onto the bypass? The thinking behind SQ is that at least he'd be nearer the road bridge. When he came home from his interview it took him an hour and 45 minutes. That was leaving Fife on a Monday afternoon at 3.30, and encountering a bit of bad traffic. He'll be working until 5 when he starts, so we'd love to cut that time down to around an hour so we can have a little bit of family time in the evenings. I have flexible working, so can be fairly adaptable with my commuting.

We have on street parking where we are now, so not too bothered about having a garage. I'm mindful of parking though, as I have seen some chaotic scenes on the SQ high street on the occasions we've visited (to be fair, usually when there's been an event on).

DD absolutely loves the sea and the beach, so she'd be in her element. I'm off with her one day a week, and my main worry would be finding activities to do together. Being near central Edinburgh, we've been a bit spolied for choice!

Anyone got any views on the local schools? I must say, all the reports I've read have been good.

OP posts:

sandyfoot · 02/10/2019 17:56

How about Cramond? Cuts down the commute a bit, great community for kids, good schools and even a beach!

WaxOnFeckOff · 02/10/2019 18:09

I'm thinking that apart from the bridge which really can't be avoided, if he could avoid the bypass bit he'd mostly be swimming against the tide as it were. So, even West lothian (Broxburn/Uphall) or that side of edinburgh might be suitable as that would still be commutable in for you?

Original poster

MrStateTrooper · 02/10/2019 19:50

I hadn't really thought of Cramond, but good idea! I'll have a look further west too

OP posts:

MoreProseccoNow · 02/10/2019 21:13

Have a think about Cammo, Barnton, Dalmeny, East Craig's.

But the commute to the East Neuk will be a good 1.25-1.5 hrs each way. Once you get past Glenrothes on the A92, it's minor roads, getting stuck behind lorries & tractors etc.

Would you consider St Andrews or Broughty Ferry? Cupar is on the train line to Edinburgh as well. These are further north but nice places.

Just north of the bridge there is Aberdour- but it's small. Maybe Dalgety Bay.

I'd think about Kinross too.

Edinburgh to the East Neuk is not a commute I'd like to do. I go from north Edinburgh to Kirkcaldy & that's about 40 mins. Going against the traffic is fine, it's the distance & small roads further into east Fife that are the issue.

whiskeysourpuss · 02/10/2019 21:26

OP there's no way you'll get the commute to less than an hour unless you come this side of the bridge.

I used to work in Cupar & it took me almost an hour to get home (Dunfermline) leaving work at 5.

I'd be 45 mins to an hour getting to Anstruther from my house at this time of night with minimal traffic on the roads.

Wheelson · 02/10/2019 21:31

Would you consider moving into Fife? I used to live in Dalgety Bay.

dementedma · 02/10/2019 21:32

No trains from Kinross, nearest would be Cowdenbeath or Dunfermline. Dalgety Bay might be an option - the “right” side of the bridge for DH with a train link to Edinburgh for you.

the whole bridge thing is a fucking pain in the arse to be honest and the new bridge hasn’t made the blindest bit of difference to traffic queues.

WaxOnFeckOff · 02/10/2019 21:44

We've attempted to go over the new bridge a few times when coming back to Stirling from Edinburgh and just out for a drive. We've ended up joining a massive queue and thinking "fuck it" and heading back across to get on the M9 again. We were heading that way to go to Culross one day and still ended up going back up the M9 and over Kincardine and back round again - was still quicker...

MoreProseccoNow · 02/10/2019 22:38

OP's husband will be going the other way from the rush hour traffic though. I wouldn't consider in a million years doing the commute from Fife to Edinburgh by car in the morning but it really isn't bad going to other way.

It's a bit unfortunate that so many of the towns on the main train lines eg Lochgelly, Kirkcaldy, etc aren't places you might want to live. (Sorry!)

It's a tough one if OP works in Edinburgh & they need to be somewhere commutable for both. In that situation, I'd personally go for Kinross, Dalgety Bay (although it has no real centre) Aberlour or Duloch in Dunfermline.

WaxOnFeckOff · 02/10/2019 22:45

yep, More wasn't commenting about the bridge for OPs husband, more that it's not really made any difference to the traffic :)

DrMaryMalone · 02/10/2019 22:54

I grew up in the East Neuk (went to school in Anstruther) and now live the other side of St Andrews. I do a fair bit of driving around the area for work and once you get off the main roads there's no telling what you might be held up by - tractors, sheep and lost tourists feature heavily! To get an hours commute you're really looking at this side of the bridge. Its not helped by the lack of trains to that area although it looks like that may be changing when the Levenmouth rail link is reinstated in the future. If you would consider moving to really cut down on travelling then there are nice new homes being built in my neck of the woods in both Dairsie and Guardbridge, both of which are 5-10 minute drive to Leuchars train station for trains to Edinburgh which take about an hour. You've got beaches at St Andrews, Tentsmuir and the East Neuk plus loads of outdoor activities but can be in Dundee for city stuff in 20 minutes.

MoreProseccoNow · 02/10/2019 22:58

@WaxOnFeckOff - yep, the new bridge has made sod all difference to commute times! Although in fairness it rarely (if ever) closes due to high winds so it's an improvement from that perspective.

I would self-lobotomise if I had to do that conjure every morning.

MissMarks · 02/10/2019 23:02

Kirkliston handy for the bridge too

Groovee · 03/10/2019 14:49

I used to work in Queensferry. It took me 17 minutes from Corstorphine to my workplace. The travel was pretty smooth for me.

Dd was on placement in Inverkeithing and I had to drive her once in Easter Monday. It took me 35 minutes round trip but never chanced it on a work morning as I couldn't be late.

Dalmeny is a lovely little school. Queensferry has got really big. Echline is sort of in between them. There are plans for a new school on the Builyeon Road to try and ease the load with all the new houses planned. Echline had their new nursery which had only just received planning permission cancelled.

The only problem with trains is how busy they are. My ex colleague now commutes into town and says she's regularly squashed in the carriage as they have reduced how many carriages her usual train has when there are issues. It's about £100 every 4 weeks for a 4 week pass on the train.

There's lots of groups go on in Queensferry and it does have a lovely community feel.

lynzpynz · 03/10/2019 17:37

I live in SQ, been here 3 years and have a 1 year old. I recommend you follow the queensferry pram pushers page on Facebook as it has loads of info on what's on in the area. Schools all good it's childcare that we struggle with here - nippers nursery has a big wait list and 30 childminders in area are all pretty busy so look into this soon as you can if moving here. Happy to answer any questions you have in a PM.

Lynz xx

Original poster

MrStateTrooper · 04/10/2019 00:31

Thanks all once again. A lot to think about! We're not looking to move for at least 6 months, possibly even a year, so plenty of time to do some proper research.

We have considered moving over to Fife in the past. We're renting at the moment, but prices in Edinburgh are just ridiculous. It just seems like such a big change, even though it's only over the water! I've lived in Edinburgh for nearly 20 years, and just love it so much. It'll be a wrench, but I've a feeling it's something we'll end up doing...

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