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Scotsnet

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

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Original poster

Edinburgh is so blimmin expensive

95 replies

Ready2020 · 03/01/2021 23:12

Hello all

My husband and I lived in Edinburgh for about 15 years but only the last 2 together. We moved out to by Peebles just in August last year and fell pregnant in November (planned). It's out first and maybe only child.

The problem is we both miss Edinburgh terribly and thought that we would enjoy living in the country more than we do. I was brought up on a farm so it's surprising that I feel so isolated now. I didn't think I would have a city child but think Edinburgh is a brilliant place to raise a child with loads to do (minus covid restrictions).

We would love to move back to Edinburgh at some point but our budget of £220k will not get us far at all. I've never lived on an estate (modern or council) and when living in Edinburgh was always in the old tenement flats in Morningside or the New Town.

The house we have now is 3 bed with a garden and while I'm happy to go to a 2 bed a garden is still a must for me.

Am I being too ambitious? What areas are open to us now?

OP posts:

hMG206 · 03/01/2021 23:22

Currie/juniper green/longstone?

LouiseTrees · 03/01/2021 23:22

Could you live in suburbs or surrounding towns? My husband’s aunt lives in Collinton ( I think that’s how it’s spelled). Super close to Edinburgh. Lots of buses. Quick drive down the bypass to get to the gyle/city centre.

Timeandtune · 03/01/2021 23:28

I don’t think your budget will get you very much in Edinburgh OP. Your best bet would be a new build in one of the regeneration areas like Niddrie

Original poster

Ready2020 · 03/01/2021 23:29

We would love to live in Currie but in our original search just couldn't find anything in budget. We had thought about Newtongrange but think that's still a bit far out for us.

I think my husband would happily move into a 2 bed flat but I'm trying hard to steer him away from that! I don't think he gets that it's not worth losing the space of a house compared to a flat just to be closer to the city.

OP posts:

LouiseTrees · 03/01/2021 23:31

Don’t think you answered about whether the suburbs and surrounding towns were viable? I have loads more ideas if so.

Original poster

Ready2020 · 03/01/2021 23:32

We had thought about Gilmerton but a Google search doesn't have it as a great area to be in.

OP posts:

Original poster

Ready2020 · 03/01/2021 23:34

@LouiseTrees

Don’t think you answered about whether the suburbs and surrounding towns were viable? I have loads more ideas if so.

I think as long as its on a Lothian bus route then it's doable. I just know the centre of Edinburgh far better than the outskirts so am not sure what's considered a nice safe place to live with good schools.

OP posts:

Callisto1 · 03/01/2021 23:34

So a flat with a shared garden is not an option?

Timewasyesterday · 03/01/2021 23:36

Prices in Edinburgh are ridiculous these days, even in the council estates! Born and bred in Edinburgh but I will never be able to buy a home here or even the outskirts and instead move from one private let to another.

Original poster

Ready2020 · 03/01/2021 23:36

I think it would depend on the flat. It would need to be ground floor. We have 2 cats as well and one needs to get out otherwise he is a pain in the back side and I don't think I could deal with him plus a baby.

OP posts:

HerMammy · 03/01/2021 23:40

6 Woodbine Terrace, Leith Links, Edinburgh, EH6 8DA
www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-87782548.html

13 Currievale Farm, Edinburgh, EH14
www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-86738629.html
8 Whitehill Street, Newcraighall, EH21 8RA
www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-87630517.html

A few ideas, also Winchburgh has huge new developments, easy commute into town.
Towns like Linlithgow, Queensferry are lovely.

Original poster

Ready2020 · 03/01/2021 23:40

@Timewasyesterday

I was born in Broxburn and have lived in Edinburgh over half my life. I love it and rented for all of it so buying in the city has been an eye opener. It's so frustrating. I see other friends buying houses in Queens Park or Newington and just wonder how on earth can they afford it!

This house we are in is our first house bought together as we lived in my husbands flat before that. I think he has major regret about moving but I'm glad to be out of the flat!

OP posts:

Original poster

Ready2020 · 03/01/2021 23:43

@HerMammy

6 Woodbine Terrace, Leith Links, Edinburgh, EH6 8DA www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-87782548.html

A few ideas, also Winchburgh has huge new developments, easy commute into town.
Towns like Linlithgow, Queensferry are lovely.

I saw the first 2 already and love the Currie one but OH says its too small.

Not seen the last one before... That looks interesting.

OP posts:

Callisto1 · 03/01/2021 23:49

Could try Corstorphine, Clermiston or thereabouts. I have no idea about schools. Friends live there and seems ok. Houses seem more affordable. Some nice walks on Corstorphine Hill.

WaxOnFeckOff · 03/01/2021 23:50

I just came to link to the woodbine terrace one as well :)

I spend a bit of time looking for properties for no reason at the moment. I love Peebles :)

Callisto1 · 03/01/2021 23:52

This sort of thing?
espc.com/property/41-durar-drive-edinburgh-eh4-7hw/35874864?sid=457555

Labobo · 04/01/2021 00:05

Meadowbank Crescent www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/99097082#/

JamMakingWannaBe · 04/01/2021 00:12

Where do you / DH work - or can you/are you WFH? Ideally, you don't want to change buses so have a look in areas on direct bus routes to your place of work. I know the Gilmerton / Liberton / Inch / Gracemount area quite well and even with its "reputation" your budget will not go far there either. As with everywhere some areas within areas are better than others. Newtongrange has recently lost its swimming pool and will possibly lose the gym and library too - so not great for a young family.
Have you considered Loanhead?

PurpleishDahlia · 04/01/2021 00:22

We've been in East Lothian for 1 year now, after moving up from Brighton. 3 bedrooms and big garden, paid under 180k. We're 13 mins from Waverley on the train :) We're not from Edinburgh originally, so we had no strong preferences or preconceptions about neighbourhoods - we just liked the house and got it 🏡

JamMakingWannaBe · 04/01/2021 00:26

Steading conversion?
espc.com/property/13-currievale-farm-currie-eh14-4aa/35895419?sid=278720

ApplePie86 · 04/01/2021 00:38

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/97242470#/

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/86201449#/

Being an Edinburgh city girl, I'd save for a couple more years so you could up the budget and get something a little more central than Currie.

emmathedilemma · 04/01/2021 08:28

Don't assume that flats have less space than houses, mine has better floor space than many houses I've been in, the only different is it's all on one level. Your budget is very tight for edinburgh, 2 bed flats in my development are going for offers over £250+, that's with parking but no private outdoor space and little in the way of shared gardens. Great location and easy access to parks and the city centre. I really can't think of anywhere within edinburgh that you'll get what you want within your budget, or if you it's probably not somewhere you'd want to live e.g. pilton, Muirhouse. You'll probably need to go into the lothians but then you might feel as removed from Edinburgh as living in Peebles. Musselburgh might be affordable for you.

ProseccoThyme · 04/01/2021 08:35

I think you will struggle with a house for that budget, but here's a few in good school catchments - the bottom one is ground floor so might work for you.

Barntongate Drive, Edinburgh, EH4
www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-101512667.html

12 The Green, Davidson Mains, Edinburgh, EH4 5AF
www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-87611113.html

15 Falkland Gardens, Corstorphine, Edinburgh, EH12 6UW
www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-87374356.html

26/9 Avon Road, Barnton, Edinburgh EH4 6RD
www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-73743423.html

16 Burnbrae Drive, Edinburgh, EH12
www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-95146499.html

2 Clerwood View, Corstorphine, Edinburgh, EH12
www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-86071678.html

MrsAmaretto · 04/01/2021 09:16

What is it you don’t like about where you live currently? Is it friends, lack of leisure, change in lifestyle, restaurants etc?

I really think you need to work out what is making you unhappy, as your life is about to change with having a baby and you may not be able to recreate what you feel you’ve lost. Personally the thought of having a young child with no outdoor space would be horrific and living near the Meadows is not the same as opening the back door and letting the 3 year old into the garden!

TheShapeJaper · 04/01/2021 09:24

Don’t forget to download the home reports and then expect to add 10% on to the valuation price. The offers over price is a marketing gimmick to get people through the door... if you can get a ground floor flat closer to the city centre, it’d be far better than a house in the outskirts by the sounds of things.

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