Edinburgh family property...

[hiphophippity]

I am posting this with very little prior knowledge so be patient please! We are British expats thinking that we will hopefully move to Edinburgh in next 2 years. I am tentatively looking at property. We have 2 dds who will be 10 and 7 next year. We will probably send them to private school, but open to state options too. If you were spending £700,000 and definitely needed 3 beds and outside space, where would you look? I have a lot of family in Scotland but more in the countryside towards St Andrews. My DH will be travelling quite a lot, and I prefer to be in a city. I don't mind an apartment if it has high ceilings...! Any thoughts greatly appreciated.

This is quite nice

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-78334246.html

Also ESPC.com or zoopla sometimes have different properties.

Are ex manses not normally the biggest houses in the blumming area? Likely to be detached too. That’s a nice house tho.

Mine is😂 though mine is a current manse.

[quote hiphophippity]This is quite nice

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-78334246.html[/quote]
That’s lovely but the closing date is today.

espc.com/property/37-st-albans-road-grange-edinburgh-eh9-2lt/35860882?sid=275200

espc.com/property/9-burgess-terrace-edinburgh-eh9-2bd/35857438?sid=275200

espc.com/property/3-ravelston-place-edinburgh-eh4-3dt/35857860?sid=275200

espc.com/property/20-1-chester-street-edinburgh-eh3-7ra/35840737?sid=275200

It’s just lovely but there are always so many tourists around that part of town in fact there are so many Airbnb’s in the centre of the town that’s its kind of ruining it a bit. But Edinburgh is still my favourite city in the U.K. So much going on.

Much as I like @Sexnotgender's taste (and I really do!) I think you need to start with schools, specifically if you want to go private or if you want state. For state, you need to be thinking about catchment - most primaries are actually fine, and given the age of your DCs, it's high school to look at.

If private is your choice then you won't be alone, 25% of DCs in Edinburgh are educated privately. And children travel all over the city for school, but given the ages of your DCs you maybe don't want to in the car every morning and evening. That wil pass quickly though as they become more independent, but you'll still be 'mum's taxi' - my friends with kids at private spend a lot of time ferrying kids about because obviously their pals can be based all over the city.

So narrow that down, then look at property. You will be able to get what you want for your budget if you're happy in a flat, and if you're planning to spend that money, you won't be in a 'bad' area.

I’d start with schools too and work from there to the area to live in. There are a lot of nice areas to live in but depending on where you pick some school runs can be a pain.

Don't forget to factor in the Scottish Government's land & buildings transaction tax (much higher than stamp duty in England) www.revenue.scot/land-buildings-transaction-tax/tax-calculator/lbtt-property-transactions-calculator

Hi, I need your help please! We are looking to buy a new house and can’t decide. We are relocating from London to Scotland because of my new job. DH will commute back for the time being so proximity to the Airport is also a consideration. My DS will be going to Clifton Hall School. We are considering moving to Muireston near Livingston. I wanted to know about the area, how is the general vibe. Someone at DS school mentioned that it is very Cliquey, not sure because we would like to make new friends. Hope you can help.
Thanks in advance ☺

Originally we lived in the old town. Lovely flat but we've moved further out and now we are an hours commute from Edinburgh and Glasgow. So much more for your money.
Schools smaller and less of a fight to get into another catchment. Although a lot of our city friends have spoken of looking to go rural after Covid.
I'd rent and check out areas before buying.

I have friends who's children are privately educated in Edinburgh and they work there and drop off and collect daily.

Anna Watkin, I would check out Balerno and Ratho if you need airport and Clifton Hall proximity-many children in these villages attend CH. Both have a lovely village feel, Balerno is nicer but more expensive but a wider range of housing. Cala are building new houses in both villages I believe. Murieston is a nicer part of Livingston but imo it wouldn’t have the same feel as these villages. Broxburn and East Calder would be other options if you don’t need to worry about school catchment and will get more for your budget.

Edinburgh centre so old town is included in that is v v noisy at night.

Hi, I need your help please! We are looking to buy a new house and can’t decide. We are relocating from London to Scotland because of my new job. DH will commute back for the time being so proximity to the Airport is also a consideration. My DS will be going to Clifton Hall School. We are considering moving to Muireston near Livingston. I wanted to know about the area, how is the general vibe. Someone at DS school mentioned that it is very Cliquey, not sure because we would like to make new friends. Hope you can help.
Thanks in advance ☺

Anna - I'd start your own thread.

I can't help as I have no experience of clifton hall (which is surprising as I although I no longer live in Edinburgh am born in bred and have a wide network including kids in pretty much every desirable school - both state & private in the city).

The only bit of West Lothian I would seriously to live consider would be Linlithgow.

It's been a fair few years since my child's time at Clifton Hall. They were there for one year of senior school after which I removed them as the standard of teaching and general ethos of behaviour was poor. Promised much more at the open day; was very disappointing.

I’d start with schools too - work out which you’re interested in and look at the commute/areas around them. Craiglockhart/Colinton have loads of lovely houses with gardens in proper family areas, but only a short journey to Bruntsfield/Morningside for a nice evening out/shops/decent coffee. Craigleith, Ravelston and Murrayfield all popular as there’s good private schools nearby and good houses with gardens too.

i’d avoid living in the city centre - definitely the old town at least - as it’s just so noisy and touristy. Edinburgh isn’t a big city so you can live in one of these other areas and be in the centre within 15/20 mins yet have a much more family friendly community to live in.