moving to Scotland from UK

[Anamz]

Hi, we are planning to move to Scotland within next 6 months with family. I am looking for areas within 15-20 miles from Edinburgh that have affordable housing, good schools and a mixture of diverse community. Any suggestions and recommendations?

Come back in winter

You’re not going to find good schools and a “mixture of diverse community” in the same area.

Wow, people must be really angry at you Op for that mistake in your title. It’s got to be the only reason multiple people are suggesting Falkirk 😂

@WithANameLikeDaniCalifornia

You’re not going to find good schools and a “mixture of diverse community” in the same area.

You will in Edinburgh city centre or Glasgow west end but OP can't afford those areas

Glasgow Southside (Shawlands/Pollokshields) is about as diverse demographically and ethnically as you can get and has a good secondary school (Shawlands Academy)

But it's apparently currently a hot spot for housing, with homes going for way above Home Report value so might not be affordable.

Worth a look though if you're prepared to look at Glasgow

You did make a really rude mistake in your op and didn't apologise...

This is such a strange thread. So OP randomly wants to move to Scotland after 20 years in Birmingham, despite clearly not knowing much about Scotland, because she liked it when she came on holiday (which isn't the same as actually living in a place) and her daughter may or may not want to go to Edinburgh Uni in 3 years time.

I'm also a bit at people saying you don't get diversity outside of Edinburgh and Glasgow. Aberdeen, Dundee, St Andrews, Stirling, pretty much any university town really, has people of various nationalities. Some rural areas also have a surprising number of international people.
But, as others have said, for £200k you won't get much within 20 miles of Edinburgh that is in a good area with good schools. You might get something in one of the rougher areas. I used to live in one and really wouldn't recommend it though. I wouldn't live in Edinburgh again unless I had a lot of money and could afford to be in a nice area. Don't be fooled by how lovely the city centre is, the cheaper (poorer) areas have some serious drug and anti social behaviour problems.

Moving between different school systems at 15 is an awful idea.

Do you even realise we do t do GCSEs/ A Levels??

Have you considered St Andrews, it is very diverse with an excellent university. I say that as an Edinburgh alumni... but I wish I had gone to St Andrews. The teaching is much more personal and I felt there was always a noticeable difference between the students that had gone to St Andrews Vs Edinburgh. They seems to form closer bonds friendship wise and the tutorial system there and personal attention from the professors must obviously have paid off as their anatomy and knowledge was top notch. If I was choosing my uni again I would go St Andrews. Its like the Oxbridge of Scotland and you won't ind a more beautiful part of Scotland (imo). East Fife is a microclimate with more sun and less rain than the rest of Scotland...and THOSE beaches! St Andrews is horrifically expensive- but Cupar is pretty nice, you will get a gorgeous house for your budget there... and its where many of the St Andrews/ Dundee academics live I believe. E fife is within easy commuting distance of St AAndrews, Dundee and Edin burgh (1 hour by train) V well connected by train.

Actually I'm reporting you now for spamming politics and racism.

@DemBonesDemBones

You did make a really rude mistake in your op and didn't apologise...

She did in her second post.

Sorry didn't see this was an old post!

You could consider moving a little further north, Dundee has two good universities and there are some lovely areas within easy commuting distance to buy a nice house within your budget.

@Anamz

Thanks for some wonderful advice. I agree that i wasn't very clear about my query. To be honest there is no specific reason for moving to Scotland. we've been living in Birmingham from past 20 years. We visited Scotland 4/5 times and really loved it. My husband's work is very flexible and he can work from home anywhere in the world as long as he got internet connection. Regarding to free education, i had no idea if Scotland offered free university education, it would be cherry on top i guess. So would it be available to all Scottish residents? I agree with most of you regarding specifically targeting Edinburgh University, I think i was over thinking... things might change and same for kid's plan. Its just as a parent one wants to fulfil their child's dreams. Anyways so what is an average living cost in Glasgow? is it more or less expensive then Edinburgh or surroundings?

Am from outskirts of Edinburgh (South West) - West Lothian is probably your best bet at that price. You'd have to go up to £250-£300k to get a 3 bedroom house any closer to the city. Have you considered Galashiels? It's now linked to Edinburgh by train, and is fast becoming a commuter town where you can get more for your money. It's technically Scottish Borders, so if you're interested in outdoors, you're v close to lovely rolling hills, mountain-biking etc. There are developments popping up in Gala for this reason at around £200k for 3 beds.

@EmmaC78

Sorry didn't see this was an old post!

Cripes! Now I NEED TO KNOW even more if OP has made any decisions!

Hello OP.
I moved here as a family about a decade ago, from England. It is the best move we ever made (even now, the other side of a divorce).
I do not recognise anything 'anti English' or have concerns. Scotland's diaspora is broad and welcoming, and I have never felt anything other than welcome.
Do bear in mind that, like you just discovered about funded University Fees, that there are many things that are different up here. Notably that education runs not with National Curriculum, GCSE's and A-Levels, but with Curriculum for Excellence, Nationals and Higher. A move at age 15 is a really tough one, not just because of a change of place but also curriculum.
Then there are real similarities - good areas to live, more difficult areas to live, schools of different ethos and attainment (etc).
I would personally not choose a city based on a possible university in a few years time, but that is your choice. I personally have three at the age 17-21 age, all three are doing something that I could not have predicted three years ago when they were teens. One totally changed life direction after a work experience, one decided on multiple years out, one headed directly into through Masters degree in STEM after being top student in Scotland at Advanced Higher level (didn't see that coming....).
Housing, like in England, needs thought and knowing a bit more about a place. Outwith the central belt Scotland is a rural place, I have friends who think nothing of hour+ drive's to get out from the wee town in Argyll or Moray where they now live. In the Central belt the places err on the smaller side, particularly if you are used to Birmingham and crowded Midlands. Glasgow (and surrounds) are the only city that comes close.
Politics are very different here - not perfect, but just compare our latest PMQ's with First Ministers Questions....
The other draw to Scotland has to be the place itself. I replaced an 8 mile, half hour commute in traffic with a half hour 9 mile commute along a loch shore with views of mountains and wildlife...I spend my weekends walking and cycling. The proximity to greenspace is there, even in our cities, and it can be a huge benefit.
Finally, I have three children who have settled up here and have no intention of leaving. They are scots now, in outlook and sense of belonging.
I also have a few new neighbours - 3 houses on one street of 100 homes. All three moved up for 'better' schools and life - one with nursery child. All three say it is wonderful, the only downside is distance from family and the weather can be manky at times.