Moving to Edinburgh - need *all* the advice :)

[NeedCrisps]

Hi all,

I hope you’re safe and well during lockdown.

We are considering a move to Edinburgh in the very near future. We’ve heard good things about the education system, and my husband has always wanted to live there. His sister lives there too (bonus).

We have one son, he’s 5. We currently live in England (Coventry). The sale of our house is almost complete and we will rent until we find somewhere suitable. My husband is currently wfh and we are hoping he will be able to continue doing so.

We would like to live in the centre as we like a bit of bustle. However I’m now wondering whether it is family-friendly or is it mainly young professionals living in the centre?

I guess where we live will depend on the school. So using that as a starting point which schools would you recommend please? I’m more keen on a school that has a gentler nurturing ethos than one focused on academic excellence.

Our budget is £550-650K. Which areas should I focus on and which ones do I avoid? Even if we don’t live right in the centre, I would like to be able to walk there I think. I don’t drive, but I’m hoping this won’t be an problem.

Finally, how ethnically diverse is Edinburgh? I’m Indian, and my son is mixed race. Given recent events, this is an issue that is preying on my mind.

I would be grateful for your advice. The idea of moving feels like a crazy leap of faith, but we’d like to try it!

Given what I’ve read about catchment areas that’s where I should start. Bracketing the various neighbourhoods for the moment, which schools would you rate as being suitable for a little boy with hearing difficulties and who may have additional needs? He hasn’t been formally assessed for additional needs yet, but it is obvious that he struggles to engage with other children. I’m really keen on a gentle, nurturing space, I’m not fussed about official ratings.

Worth getting in touch with the national deaf childrens society. They have a family support officer that covers Edinburgh and will know what support is available in Schools for children with hearing difficulties.

Thanks @umberellaonesie, my son has congestion behind his ear drums, I’ve been advised it is unlikely to be a permanent thing. But on reflection it can’t hurt to get in touch.

Buckstone is South of Bruntsfield / Morningside, but feeds into the same (very popular) high school boroughmuirhighschool.org/

I think you'd tend to find more younger people in Polwarth, more families in Buckstone

And Buckstone Primary is smaller than Bruntsfield / South Morningside Primary Schools. I wonder if a smaller school would be quieter and perhaps that's helpful for a child with hearing difficulties?

I just love Dean Village, but the last few years so many people have bought to use as holiday let’s, I think the Scottish government are going to stop Airbnb soon, it’s really is changing Edinburgh to much.

Buckstone/Fairmilehead very family orientated. Kids can play out, walk to school themselves when old enough. Not too boden - real mix of families. Quite suburb I suppose, but outdoors on your doorstep, handy for bypass, regular bus service to city centre. About 30 minute walk to Morningside. In Fairmilehead watch out for different catchment areas though.

Gosh I'd live by the sea in st abbs. We head up that way for holidays and we are hopefully still visiting Port Seton this year. North Berwick is also nice, has its own little town for day to day needs and is 30mins from Edinburgh Waverley Station by train.

Can't speak for schools though.

Buckstone Primary is a nice school, but Buckstone and Fairmilehead are kind of suburban in feel. It's very family friendly and your kids can walk to school/play outside early on. It hasn't got a city feel though as there is literally only houses on cul-de-sacs.
If you are after a smaller school there is also St Peter's, which is a Roman Catholic school. Their catchment is bigger as it overlaps with quite a few of the non denominational schools. They accept everyone, but baptized children get preference and I think they are oversubscribed (bit of a theme in South Edinburgh).
Also there is a new school being built in Morningside. It should be ready for the 21/22 school year. It will change the catchment for South Morningside, Bruntsfield and Gillespie's Primaries I think. Maybe even part of Tollcross Primary if I remember correctly. Here's the link from the council website
www.edinburgh.gov.uk/new-education-buildings/new-south-edinburgh-primary-school-canaan-lane

Buckstone and fairmilehead are genuinely lovely but don’t for a moment feel like “living in the city centre” as the OP requested.

I grew up in Edinburgh but now live in Fife. My Dd currently lives as a student in Edinburgh and I love visiting as I enjoy the buzz.

I would try for a large flat near the Meadows - Marchmont/Bruntsfield/Newington area.

Something like this..www.zoopla.co.uk/for-sale/details/54359974?search_identifier=8a1f71730ba489a86c9e893d44915072

Thank you all for your responses, you're so kind. We've had a bit of bad news, our buyer pulled out of the sale. We were due to complete in a couple of weeks. Just.....argh.