Where to relocate to in Edinburgh and the surrounding areas?

[RhubarbandCust]

I am hoping to move back north with my husband and two children (6 years and 3 years) after living down south for over 15 years.
We’d like to live in Edinburgh but my knowledge of areas is quite dated. We’d be looking to rent in the first year and then hope to sell our London home to buy a house once settled.
Ideally we’d like a house with a garden and a home office as my husband will be working from home with the occasional trips to London for work. I’ve got extended family members in SW Scotland and a few relatives in Edinburgh South. We could afford Morningside but it would be a stretch and I’ve heard that schools in the local area are over subscribed. Therefore, we are looking to expand our search areas.
Colinton, Crammond, Bonaly, Trinity, Portobello sound nice, but I know nothing about these areas. We are also debating whether to look further afield at areas such as Haddington or North Berwick - perhaps we could get more house for our money there?
Any insider information would be gratefully received. Thank you!

Edinburgh airport is one of the few in the UK which still operates night flights. As PP said they operate 24/7 even with covid (although less flights just now).

There are some lovely houses in Barnton for that kind of budget.

I moved up from southern England to Edinburgh 20 years ago when my DDs were primary school-aged. Without a shadow of a doubt it was the best move I ever made. I'm in Portobello which is a lot pricier now than it was back then, but with your budget, OP, you could afford a lovely house here. My DDs thrived at Towerbank Primary and then Portobello High (it was in a dilapidated old building then, it's since moved to a spanking new one). Obviously that's a few years ago now, but I have neighbours and friends with kids at Porty High and they're all at least reasonably happy with it. The Portobello lifestyle is fantastic, with the beach on your doorstep, loads of activities for children in the vicinity, plenty of cafes, independent shops and supermarkets within walking distance and good bus routes into the city.

Craigmount also good high school, on a par with Royal High. If you are searching for houses, enter EH12 as the postcode on ESPC website. Could probably get nice stone built villa on your budget. Near airport for commute, but not on flight path.

I love portobello but it is expensive and busy. Have a look in duddingston and willowbrae. Great primary school, right next to holyrood Park, easy bus or walk into town or to the seaside, amazing views, lovely community.

Thanks everyone for your input and sorry I am only replying now - I have been so busy with work.

From what you have been saying, I think Portobello or North Berwick sound the most attractive options. On the dream list I would love to live in a period property, with a decent sized garden and ideally a semi.....but I know this may not be possible with our budget.

My only reservation about North Berwick is whether the area has lots of young families living there? I thought this was an area people tend to go when they retire? Not that I have anything against older folks! But after moving north after being away for a very long time it feels like in someways I will be re-starting all over again as quite a few of my old school friends have left the Edinburgh area and we will need to develop new roots. I am hoping we can meet some people who are open to new friendships and wonder whether it would be better to stay in Edinburgh for that? Hhmmm......

There are loads of young families in NB! And a really good sense of community too. Don't worry at all about either of these.

North Berwick has loads of young families. Good school definitely attaches people.

it's a lovely community

There are some lovely small towns and villages between Edinburgh and North Berwick. Longniddy/Haddington/Gullane/not as long a commute, sea on your doorstep and you get more house for your money.

@RhubarbandCustOP which area did you live in previously? Would you want to return there?

That’s very reassuring to hear that about North Berwick! Thank you.
@skeemee I previously grew up in Newington/Grange area. As lovely as it is, I don’t think we can afford the type of house that I’d like in that area and I also fancy starting afresh somewhere new rather than go back to where I left all those years ago. Not because I have bad memories of growing up there......quite the contrary....but mentally I want to feel like I’m moving forward rather than back, if that makes sense?

Loads of young families in North Berwick but it's a bit 'keeping up with the Jones's' IYKWIM. I like it for a day trip though. Parking is horrendous! Used to live in Trinity when daughter was in primary but moved away for secondary as Trinity Academy not as good as it used to be, sadly. It's a lovely part of Edinburgh though.

@chestnutmares that’s a shame you had to leave for a better secondary school. Where did you move to?

We moved to East Lothian, we're not in Dunbar but that's our catchment and my daughter is really enjoying high school at Dunbar Grammar. Good mix of decent exam results and pastoral care. New building added last year so lots of space. We love East Lothian, it's a fab county and we can still easily access Edinburgh (in normal times anyway!).

@chestnutmares- sounds like you have found the perfect balance.

South Queensferry might be worth a look for you?

Be very careful with Cammo as I believe the school catchments are getting extensively re-jigged.

If you want space, access to the outdoors etc Cramond is pretty good. When you are actually there you stop noticing the planes (honestly). I spent quite a bit of time there during lockdown 1 and really used the local amenities - it was lovely to be able to run along the river/ promenade from the door of the house. Our neighbour was out kayaking most mornings before he set up his home office.

If getting into town is a real priority then Blackhall has better buses and more local amenities (shops/ cafes) but houses are quite a bit more expensive (although with your budget I think you would still get something pretty substantial). Your teens would probably prefer Blackhall (I know I would have).

I don’t want to steal someone else’s thread (never posted before, not sure of the etiquette). We are considering a similar move but with less money sadly. Can you get a family property (4 bed, garden, parking) for 500k in these lovely areas you mention (whether Porty or N Berwick)? Our older DD is Yr7 so she’d have to transition at summer from primary to secondary - friendly school and area are big plus points for us. Any advice greatly appreciated.

For North berwick most detached 4 beds will start at around £450 k (usually offers over). But can be higher

Check out ESPC website

Hi @Luna2020 Check out Dunbar - great wee town, good community vibe, good school and cheaper than North Berwick. And on the East Coast train line too.

You could add Fairmilehead to your list OP. Catchment for Boroughmuir, not far to Morningside or the city centre, lots of green space on your doorstop and not too far for a trip to the beach. Good road transport links to elsewhere.

@Luna2020

If you could manage with 3 bedrooms, this house is within walking distance of Portobello. It's the area I grew up in and is well-served with facilities and not to far from the city centre.
espc.com/property/112-craigentinny-avenue-edinburgh-eh7-6rh/35831336?sid=178276

Realise this is an older thread, but we were in a similar situation and recently bought in Dalmeny/South Queensferry. If you haven’t already moved I’d highly recommend it. Love how close we are to the train station (for when my DHs office reopens), so it’s actually easier to get into the centre of town than say from crammond or Davidson Mains. Much closer to town than North Berwick is, and we are still costal.