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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:
RaspberryCoulis · 04/01/2021 09:37

Completely agree - I grew up in Edinburgh and my parents moved away about 20 years ago. Since then prices have rocketed. Just looked on Rightmove for houses round where I grew up - gulp.

SacreBleeeurgh · 04/01/2021 09:51

I completely feel your pain OP, even with a bigger budget. We only want to make one more move as LBTT is so prohibitive, but want/need two reception rooms and a kitchen diner, and not a new build, in a decent area. Could we find it? Not for love nor money. Anything that did come up that we liked went for so far over HR that it was just a joke. Wish we’d got our acts together and bought there a couple of years ago when things were a little more realistic.

FWIW I know Peebles well and think it’s absolutely lovely, so things could be a lot worse!

anon444877 · 04/01/2021 09:55

Absolutely what mrsamaretto said - your life is about to change hugely. I'm not sure Edinburgh for the under 5s is a must do, despite what the book says. Edinburgh for the over 5s is fantastic.

ProseccoThyme · 04/01/2021 10:05

I also think it's very hard to adjust to a new area during covid times.

Normally, you'd be having playgroup/nursery play dates, meeting families at local events, playparks etc and generally building up a local network.

Having young kids is a great way of meeting people - just not in covid.

And although I live in Edinburgh (very suburban) I could probably count the number of times on one hand mine have been in to the city centre (beyond museums and the odd festival show) - they are 7&12!

WaxOnFeckOff · 04/01/2021 10:24

Unless you are really trying to cut down on commute times for work, I don't see any point in swapping Peebles for a closer commuter town or a not great suburb. For me, the choice is trying to get a decent garden level flat in the city or staying where you are. Unless you really hate Peebles of course.

If you do hate it, I think you need to think what it is you hate or what you'd love instead before making the jump.

Original poster
Ready2020 · 04/01/2021 10:24

@MrsAmaretto

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!

Thanks for all the responses. Sorry for the long response!

I think the issue is we went from a flat in Slateford to a house that's not in walking distance to anything but fields. I say Peebles but it's really 10 minutes drive to Peebles and 10 minutes to Penicuik. The nearest village is West Linton and its 5 minutes by car. We were seduced by the house (its an old mill) and by the fact we were sick of being in a roasting flat during lockkdown. When I found out I was pregnant it dawned on me that I'll be in this house with no friends near me and no access to anywhere apart from the car. We had planned to get another car as eventually OH will go back to the office and I'll need transport but it's an expense we want to avoid if possible.

Another minor issue (and this is probably just my inexperience of being a mum) I worry about the set out of this house. It's over 3 floors with the kitchen and a wee snug on the ground floor, lounge and our room on middle and 2 spare rooms plus bathroom on top. I worry that I'll need to just keep taking baby with me as I go up and down the stairs at I can't leave them (obvs!) and I'll need lots of stair gates. Plus it's a cold house in winter and our heating system needs an overhaul. This house could be a money pit if we let it.
As I say this is minor and people have raised children in worse places I'm sure.

Now my OH, this was a big step for him. He loves Edinburgh and his passion is film. Knowing that a baby would change everything he/we still hoped he can keep up his movie group for his moments of me time. (I craft and sew for mine). He has issues with depression and I think the house is a bit too isolated for him.

We both love the culture of city living, the cafes, cinemas, museums etc. Plus we have friends in the city. Though saying that we have good friends in Melrose who we would see more often if covid allowed and I'll no doubt see more of once baby comes if I have a car if my own.

My OH and I work from home just now but hopefully that will change as the year goes on. We both miss the office so much. We both work in the same office in the west of Edinburgh (near Gyle).

I think really this was just a very big change for us. I would be happy to keep trying and see if we settle in but OH is pushing for a move sooner.

OP posts:
WaxOnFeckOff · 04/01/2021 10:28

Sorry OP, crossed posts. I think you are in the wrong place, you need a community, that doesn't necessarily need to be in Edinburgh, just somewhere where there are people and places to go. Some of the closer commuter places might fit the bill, south Queensferry? Musselburgh? I know South and West better but these seem popular.

WaxOnFeckOff · 04/01/2021 10:36

I'm Edinburgh born and bred, moved out to Penicuik before having DC. Once DC were born we made some really nice friends but we did still use Edinburgh for lots of stuff socially. However there were toddler groups and shops and cafes and a couple of nice places to eat.

We moved again when DC were toddlers due to work but I think we could have been happy there.

ProseccoThyme · 04/01/2021 10:41

Ah, that sounds tough @Ready2020 . I can see why the isolation is affecting you - it's very rural. I would personally have gone bonkers somewhere like that (sorry, that's completely unhelpful).

Have a look at some of the links I put in to the west of Edinburgh upthread - they are all within a short distance of the Gyle area & you would only need 1 car.

TheGirlOnTheLanding · 04/01/2021 10:57

If you'd consider a garden flat in Musselburgh (which effectively is a suburb of Edinburgh with an easy commute) there's this:
https://espc.com/property/12d-monktonhall-terrace-musselburgh-eh21-6er/35898198?sid=239902

Baycob · 04/01/2021 10:57

What about Livingston or out that way ? It’s 20 mins from the motorway. South Queensferry is also nice.

anon444877 · 04/01/2021 11:04

Would another car be cheaper than a move though? Driving a baby/child into Peebles or Penicuik where it's easier to park than many parts of Edinburgh may still be a feasible option while you save up for a move down the line.

cities can be isolating too if you move to a part where you don't know people. Hobbies typically takes a hefty back seat in the small kid years.

chipsandpeas · 04/01/2021 11:07

@Baycob

What about Livingston or out that way ? It’s 20 mins from the motorway. South Queensferry is also nice.
if your working at the gyle with a 8/9am start under normal circumstances the commute would be about 45 mins
Mrsfeathersword · 04/01/2021 12:09

Look around the Gyle/Clermiston/East craigs - you might find there isn't much coming up at the very start of January to give you an idea though. I never thought I'd swap Victorian living for an ex council property but a good garden and three bedrooms became very important when the dc arrived - and we didn't want to actually move out of the city entirely. Your current home sounds lovely, but not very child (or maternity leave) friendly

emmathedilemma · 04/01/2021 13:54

If you work at the Gyle then I'd focus on the west of the city for your house search. I would not want to be driving round the bypass daily to places like Musselburgh if you work standard sort of office hours and will have to be back in time for nursery/childcare pick up. South Gyle, East Craigs and Silverknowes are more affordable areas but I still think your budget might be stretched. Kirkliston gets very good reviews from families (it seems very cut off to me) or South Queensferry if you don't mind being a bit further out. Your house sounds lovely but I totally hear your concerns, I'm too suburban to live somewhere like that. I love being able to walk places or hop on a bus and not have to drive everywhere.

WaxOnFeckOff · 04/01/2021 14:01

If you can be flexible on working hours then I'd say South of the city is also fine for a commute but you probably wouldn't want to be further round than Lothianburn junction. I worked 8 til 4 at the gyle while in Penicuik and was about 20-30 minutes commute by car. Bus is a pain as you need to go into town and back out to gyle.

FlyPiggy · 04/01/2021 16:18

Have a look at this great property I found on ESPC - 6 South Gyle Mains, Edinburgh, EH12 9EP espc.com/property/35867214

Bang on budget OP and close to your work. Small, paved garden but you could change that in time.

Callisto1 · 04/01/2021 17:01

I think given your budget if you want to live in Edinburgh and in a house it will be a small terrace with a mini garden. It probably won't feel like living in the city, but you'll have a decent bus network.
I would say a private garden is really useful for when your baby starts to move about. Since you can make it safe and fun even if it's small. Also a house on many levels is a bit of a nightmare with toddlers. A baby you can carry, but a toddler is a totally different problem.

peapotter · 04/01/2021 17:53

I’d go for south queensferry over Edinburgh if you work in the gyle. You can catch the train in, and you’ll have nice cafes on your doorstep and the coast.

You can get into the city centre much faster on the train from nearby small towns, rather than bus from the Edinburgh suburbs.

Confused1975 · 04/01/2021 20:46

@Ready2020 totally understand. We live very near to you and I previously lived in city centres all my life and it was a big change. Had first child early 2019 and actually all worked out well as life changed significantly anyway. Made lovely friends locally and a good mix of classes, meets and walks in Peebles, as well as more local groups, and took her into Edinburgh lots of times. Also enjoyed going to different places on the outskirts - Dalkeith Country Park, Vogrie, Portobello prom, different soft play etc etc. When I stopped bf started to meet friends for dinner, theatre etc but downside was couldn’t have a drink due to no public transport to get home! Sometimes I still really miss the city though mainly being able to get a takeaway delivered! Now though I am missing the city a lot but I think it’s because I’m banned from going there with it being a different LA 😫 as much as I like the country walks would like a city wander and a stop in a cafe. Hope you manage to find something I occasionally browse on Rightmove but you’re right Edinburgh is just so expensive!! A lot of Midlothian is well served by Lothian buses but not quite the city feel

Original poster
Ready2020 · 04/01/2021 22:26

Thanks again all.

I think our plan is to get some work we had planned for the stairs then get the house valued and see where we stand. We were going to update our boiler but think we'll get advice first if it's worth doing it to add value to the house. Then we'll start looking properly in the spring.

I'm due in August so it'll need to be a quick move! We've agreed that if we don't find the right place then we'll obviously have to stay where we are until the next summer when the baby is older. Though that then poses the issue of I'll not be working as much so we'll get less mortgage! So hopefully we'll manage it before August. South Queensferry looks like a good option. That Gyle house looks ideal though!

@confused1975 I think the lock down doesn't help as we were going into Edinburgh every other weekend when we first moved to get our fix but then the tiers came in and we couldn't go. But tbh if covid hadn't happened I'm not sure we would have moved house in such a rush and be in this situation now. Hindsight eh!

OP posts:
Original poster
Ready2020 · 04/01/2021 22:28

Oh and @confused1975 I am craving a Maki Ramen chicken ramen so badly!

OP posts:
Lucienandjean · 04/01/2021 23:07

@Ready2020

We had thought about Gilmerton but a Google search doesn't have it as a great area to be in.
I live in one of the new builds near the bypass in Gilmerton. Only lived here about a year (moved from England) but I've found it a nice enough place to live in. It's convenient, the houses are good value compared to more established areas, and it feels safe. OK, it's not Morningside or Colinton, but it's a decent area, and it's only a few minutes on the bypass to get to those places!
Confused1975 · 05/01/2021 11:41

@Ready2020 ha also pregnant with #2 and the cravings are real!! One of us would occasionally driving in for our favourite takeaway as don’t mind the driving in decent weather with a good podcast on but I don’t think that would be acceptable under current Covid rules or weather conditions... at least houses seem to be selling very well around here at the moment so you shouldn’t have too much of a problem for once you find somewhere

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