Stress: Where to live? In Edinburgh, East Lothian relocation.

[flopseyR72]

I’m having a dither stress.
I am relocating back home to Scotland.
wfh.
I have two young primary kids ( single parent) need good state school.
Aiming for a forever move suitable for young through teenage children.
I’m quite old so not interested in night life etc.
I have around £700k house.
I need to move ASAP and it’s hard for me to visit view because of kids school and work.
I won’t rent ( been stuck where I am doing that) to try as kids need school place and I need to buy in the permanent area.
Where is the best place to live. It has to be Edinburgh or East Lothian no other places.

I think a big challenge of Edinburgh, on a sub £700k, budget is that you are pushed into large suburbs with very few amenities. When I hear Swanston, Buckstone, Willowbrae, etc, there is barely a corner shop to walk to.

The vibrant areas tend to be all flats (very nice flats, mind).

If I were moving to Edinburgh, I would want to live in either Bruntsfield or Stockbridge.

If I were moving to Edinburgh, I would want to live in either Bruntsfield or Stockbridge.

Me too. With your budget I would buy a huge flat near the Meadows. Good schools, lively social scene and lots of shops and cafes.

@CraftyGin

I think a big challenge of Edinburgh, on a sub £700k, budget is that you are pushed into large suburbs with very few amenities. When I hear Swanston, Buckstone, Willowbrae, etc, there is barely a corner shop to walk to.

The vibrant areas tend to be all flats (very nice flats, mind).

If I were moving to Edinburgh, I would want to live in either Bruntsfield or Stockbridge.

100% agree with you @CraftyGin

@CraftyGin

I think a big challenge of Edinburgh, on a sub £700k, budget is that you are pushed into large suburbs with very few amenities. When I hear Swanston, Buckstone, Willowbrae, etc, there is barely a corner shop to walk to.

The vibrant areas tend to be all flats (very nice flats, mind).

If I were moving to Edinburgh, I would want to live in either Bruntsfield or Stockbridge.

Ditto... such is my (hopefully early) retirement fantasy. I'd love to live in Edinburgh again ( left lovely Stockbridge in 1996 and haven't managed to relocate back their yet).... budget wouldn't be as generous, mind...

I really don’t want to buy a flat.
The shortage of properties is really pushing up the prices. People have lost it IMO.

We are really happy in the pentland /firrhill catchments. Not as far out as fairmilehead, easy walk down to morningside. Super quiet neighbourhood but easy to get everywhere (both town and hills).

@flopseyR72

I really don’t want to buy a flat. The shortage of properties is really pushing up the prices. People have lost it IMO.

And yet you're about to join them.

Lots of remote working and hybrid means lots of folk from London can relocate to cheaper Edinburgh. It used to be that limited income opportunities/jobs etc kept a lid on things but now not so much. I agree that 20% over value is nuts, but "value" is what someone else is willing to pay, even if it's a greater fools market!

Yes true but I am from Edinburgh originally. I’m not
Sure many English people would relocate now due to the LBTT higher income tax and lack of housing. TBH it’s more affordable in the Home Counties in many ways. You need less cash up front in any case !

Population density still feels lower here than in Home Counties though, always shocked when we go back south to visit family and we live in central Edinburgh. Did feel crowded during lockdown in the parks though! I can't say what we'd do if we had to choose again.

Dunbar. Friends live there and it's great, much nicer community than N Berwick and a great school too.

Yes down south is busier . I guess their are pros and cons to both. I’m moving for non financial reasons though and just have to take the bad weather for what it is!

Have you ruled out Linlithgow OP?

Yes it has to be Edinburgh or East Lothian

Dunbar is lovely, but it's a long and boring schlep from Edinburgh by car.

Hi, out of interest where did you decide to move to?