Edinburgh is so blimmin expensive

[Ready2020]

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?

Just wait , at least until your hormones subside. Now is not the time to even think of moving house.

When you have a new baby in summer you will really appreciate having a garden (to sit in with baby/park pram and baby/dry washing) and living on the ground floor in a clean quiet environment.

Enjoy your pregnancy, enjoy your new baby and all that you have.

@itsme1978 so offers over 200,000 and we were putting in 230,000.

@2bazookas unfortunately its out of our hands now as our house is sold and we need to be out on 14 May. We don't want to lose our buyers so....

Have your buyers concluded missives yet?
Bugger, that's crazy that's going on in Mussy just now........!

I'm from Edinburgh and would never move back there I don't think. We own a beautiful detached 4 bedrooms house in Dunfermline. Probably now worth 320k but we would have to buy a pokey place in Edinburgh for that money ! Easy to get into Edinburgh as and when we need to!

Wow OP, no need to be dismissive of someone taking time to give you suggestions.

I think because of the nature of Edinburgh, the reputation of so-called ‘bad areas’ get exaggerated by people who don’t really know them, whereas the reality is a lot more nuanced. None of them is actually that bad in my view (esp compared to some other cities).

Also, a garden is great for a toddler, but the toddler stage passes fast and a garden that’s too small can get quickly outgrown (and takes work to maintain).

Personally I’d be very happy with a shared garden - more space, less work, and perhaps also more chance for play with others, if you are having one child.

Do look at schools though... school age comes upon you fast. If your local primary school has a nursery, you’ll be checking out high school inspection reports 3 years from now!

Good luck.

Have you thought about Dalgety Bay? Much more affordable and some lovely nature on your doorstep.
Edinburgh’s a quick train ride - or even a bike ride - away.

I would say having a baby in a city would probably be okay and maybe even quite fun but a toddler maybe not so much. How about you rent out your house, move back to the city and rent something for a couple of years and see how you feel after that. Buying and selling houses is expensive and hard work so it might be an easier way of seeing what works for you while still paying off a mortgage?
Or how about somewhere on the Train line into Edinburgh so journey in is easier and more pleasant with a baby
Or You might find you like the are better once you’ve had a baby and are out doing baby things?

I saw a gorgeous one for sale in Portobello the other day. God, I love Porty.

Have you considered Carrick Knowe? Lots of two bedroom flats there. Most are four in a block so you have your own front door and private garden. Some of them have bigger gardens than others so worth checking each individual listing. Ck primary school is well thought of and the nursery is excellent. It feeds into Forrester high which isn't as well regarded but you have a few years to worry about that! Easy commute to the gyle and walking distance to all the baby stuff in Corstorphine.
Lots of properties in CK have been extended too so potential there. They tend to go fairly quickly I think.

[quote Ready2020]@CirclesWithinCircles thanks.... Not entirely sure the need for them. Most are out our price range and location. But, well, ta.[/quote]
Golly. The one at FP of £180000 was surely in your price range though? Apologies for not realising the finer nuances of your search parameters. Good luck to you - it's a stressful time.

Jeepers OP, Wallyford to Gyle may well have a number 44 bus but you’ll spend half your life on it! I’d second the suggestions for South Queensferry. That’s on a bus route and there’s the train station.

Also, Linlithgow’s under 15 mins by train to Edinburgh Park and has a bus service going past there (it’s not Lothian Buses right enough!) so worth consideration.

Good luck!

Have you looked at Clermiston? Easy 21 or 68 bus ride to Gyle. Mostly 2 beds but some extended properties have 3 beds. Plus gardens. Corstorphine Hill right behind. Local primary school is fine and in catchment for Royal High for secondary.

@Ready2020

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.

Currie is extortionate now. Absolutely awful for locals priced out of the area they were raised in. Same for other parts too.

@Ready2020

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

Noooooo, avoid avoid avoid😬 I remember having an argument about viewing a property in "Gilmerton" with DH - turns out years ago it was actually Baberton 🙄😂 easy to get confused when not up to speed with the different areas.

A lot of people I know moved to Penicuik at your budget and stage of life. Or dalkeith or Bonnybridge. Pretty sure you can find something on a bus route with more of a community feel.
Personally I wouldn’t rule out all of the the less “naice” areas so long as the schools are good. For example oxgangs is cheap but in decent catchments and good community centres /amenities.

I'm in Dunbar! Please let us know if you get your house.

To a PP, my spiritual home is Porty, I love it do much.

How did the house in Dunbar go?

Which areas should be avoided?

Which areas are upcoming?

@Standrewsschool it would be better if you started your own specific thread if you’ve questions. I’m not even sure where yours refer to given the number of places that have been discussed on this one!