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

Original poster

Edinburgh questions about particular areas

76 replies

modernrubbish · 01/09/2022 08:02

We decided to relocate to Edinburgh to be near a family member with a long term condition. DP was raised here but moved away long ago.

Specifics: we're looking for a 4 bed house with garden for under £1m. Ideally semi-detached period but we have looked at bungalows given the market. Will do state school starting at primary. I would not want to live in suburban fringes -- in a calmer market I would live in Morningside or (without DC) maybe Stockbridge. Clearly I'm very mumsnet "naice" Smile

Questions:

  • A friend recommended The Grange/Mayfield/Marchmont but when I visited I couldn't tell if it would feel too "studenty" -- any insight?
  • It seems like we might be able to get a semi in Portobello or Trinity for our budget -- what's the local community feel there? (My husband's childhood neighbourhood was considered rough in the 80s and he witnessed frequent antisocial behaviour, which he is eager to avoid.)
  • Are there any family areas (and not massive 7 bed detached houses) around the botanic gardens?

Thank you for any advice

OP posts:
weebarra · 01/09/2022 10:48

@modernrubbish , the ESPC site will tell you that re catchments.
To get an idea of the schools have a look at the school leaver destination data on the Scot.gov website.

greywinds · 01/09/2022 10:50

I'd say 10 percent over for Newtown areas, not south side which I've heard is hotter.

I'm Newtown based and love it - warriston and orchard, craigleith, agree with what emma said. BUT if I was state school determined especially at secondary I'd go for Gillespie/Boroughmuir catchment, an awful lot of kids in north Edinburgh go private for secondary.

greywinds · 01/09/2022 10:51

Stockbridge is really busy these days - I love it but it gets heaving at the weekends. Adjacent areas even 5 mins walk away are quiet.

greywinds · 01/09/2022 10:53

Ps family areas along botantics - warriston, eildon, inverleith. Thin market!

Original poster
modernrubbish · 01/09/2022 11:06

Swedesareneeps · 01/09/2022 10:47

That's not an exaggeration, no. It used to be 10% but it's just gone off the scale recently.

Marchmont is studenty (but less so than it used to be) but you're unlikely to find a semi there - it's largely tenement flats with a few exceptions near the old sick kids.

Grange is very not studenty but expensive - your budget might get you an upper villa flat.

Stockbridge is quite chichi but also busy and expensive. Orchard and craigleith bungalows are walking distance but not right there, if you don't want a suburban feel.

Trinity has the right housing stock but not the naice local shop/amenity thing going on.

Edinburgh council catchment area maps are your friend for schools - double check as they can change midstreet.

Morningside, bruntsfield, Blackford and Grange primary school catchments have just changed to accommodate the new school on Canaan lane.

If you end up in catchment for boroughmuir, be aware that the school isn't actually in its own catchment (it's a bus ride away for a lot of kids in e.g. South Morningside).

Greenbank might suit you - 10 minute walk down to Morningside, good schools and in budget.

I think you're going to struggle for what you want (4 bed period semi) where your want it (in town with vibe) as that just isn't the prevalent housing stock where you're looking. Consider terraces and flats/upper/lower villas and you might have more joy.

Also, seems daft but if you're going to be spending years in and out of hospitals your North/South decision might want to factor in whether you're traveling to the Western or the ERI.

Good luck.

This is extremely useful thank you.

It sounds like our best best might be a 10 minute walk outside a desired area. I looked at a place in Braids that wasn't quite right, but that kind of adjacent and walkable area might be a good fit in this market.

OP posts:
NiceBaps · 01/09/2022 11:12

Look at Craiglockhart, connections to town are good. Firrhill is fine.

OP posts:
emmathedilemma · 01/09/2022 12:01

hmm if you rule out the Bungalow type villas you're going to really limit your options for a 4 bed house in that price range!!

Leithlunch · 01/09/2022 12:40

MoreProseccoNow · 01/09/2022 09:17

I'd look at the best secondary school catchment areas - Boroughmuir, James Gillespie's & Royal High, plus Craigmount.

Most of these are fairly suburban but there are parts closer to the city than others.

Firrhill high school got better exam results this year than most of those schools. Though it is definitely further out.

greywinds · 01/09/2022 12:45

There is always fluctuation in results but the reason the south side is consistently in a hot property market is all do with a concentration of consistently well performing state schools.

Leithlunch · 01/09/2022 12:49

I don't disagree but it also leads to schools being oversubscribed (and inflated house prices) when there are other schools offering the same.
Gillespies seems to be in fashion in particular and I'm never sure why. There are also, of course, schools that will never be at the top of the table due to their catchment, but do a great job for the pupils.

greywinds · 01/09/2022 12:52

Absolutely @Leithlunch

Namechangeforthis88 · 01/09/2022 12:54

You will save money getting into Firrhill catchment over Boroughmuir and Gillespies. I hear Firrhill is much improved. If I were you I'd be looking at Greenbank, it's all bungalows though. Lovely family area. You might struggle to get a 4 bed semi detached period property in Boroughmuir/Gillespie's catchment. If they come on the market it will be an absolute shark attack feeding frenzy of buyers. To be honest it will be not far off that in Greenbank. People are looking at saving 13 years of private school fees for a couple of kids by getting into a good catchment so they'll pay good money.

Original poster
modernrubbish · 01/09/2022 13:02

emmathedilemma · 01/09/2022 12:01

hmm if you rule out the Bungalow type villas you're going to really limit your options for a 4 bed house in that price range!!

We are definitely looking at them -- just not a first preference, but given available housing would not be surprised to end up in one

OP posts:
BarkylLoner · 01/09/2022 13:31

Will you be regularly supporting the family member @modernrubbish?
That may help narrow areas down as the traffic travelling north to south Edinburgh can be bit of a nightmare

Original poster
modernrubbish · 01/09/2022 13:44

BarkylLoner · 01/09/2022 13:31

Will you be regularly supporting the family member @modernrubbish?
That may help narrow areas down as the traffic travelling north to south Edinburgh can be bit of a nightmare

yes, we will probably be helping out and assisting with medical appointments I would guess weekly or so. DH DP lives in Swanston, hence my disregard of suburban bungalows, am very familiar with that lifestyle in Edinburgh and wish for something more walkable and dynamic.

OP posts:
BinBandit · 01/09/2022 13:49

For Firrhill you also have colinton village as an option.

I went to Firrhill back in the rougher days (late 70's/early 80s) and even then it had a really decent mix of pupils with me having friends from the village that were into drama clubs and played the Viola and the clarinet and such things. A complete revelation to me as a child from a council scheme :)

Good luck with the search OP, I wish I could afford to move back to Edinburgh.

Cheapaschips1 · 01/09/2022 14:42

The traditional tenement flats, especially overlooking the meadows are stunning but you’ll have students as neighbours so best avoided for the rowdiness factor. anywhere else in the James Gillespie / Boroughmuir catchment ought to be nice. Firrhill secondary school is v well regarded too.

Check the catchment areas very carefully as it is extremely hard to get into a good school of out of catchment. If a property is good value it will be probably be out with a good catchment.

BarkylLoner · 01/09/2022 16:58

Trinity to Swanston regularly will be a pain OP. I would definitely try to be south, east or west.

emmathedilemma · 01/09/2022 17:07

I've now the half the day down the rabbit hole that is espc! Missed this one earlier espc.com/property/73-argyle-crescent-portobello-eh15-2qe/36114695?sid=109350

Original poster
modernrubbish · 01/09/2022 18:14

emmathedilemma · 01/09/2022 17:07

I've now the half the day down the rabbit hole that is espc! Missed this one earlier espc.com/property/73-argyle-crescent-portobello-eh15-2qe/36114695?sid=109350

This is very pretty! I'm not familiar with that area and wonder if we'd like it, and whether it would feel disconnected or not?

TBF I'm also worried about prices, having read this thread -- is this "offers over £850" house going to sell for £1m!?!

OP posts:
Gonewiththewindbeforelong · 01/09/2022 18:20

Yes, be wary of offers over. We had our house on market recently and it went for 18.9% over valuation …! Not all will be like that, but edinburgh and the Lothian’s is hot right now. I would still bid on something you liked but aim to be at least 10-15% over

greywinds · 01/09/2022 18:27

You need a good solicitor ideally based in your target area to advise on the bids. You can also start tracking sale prices on properties you missed out on as they usually can be found out online a couple of months post sale.

Tapsaffweather · 01/09/2022 20:13

I’m not sure if anyone has mentioned yet or not but for each property advertised there’s a home report that shows the condition of the building and the value. I’ve found people tend to look at the HR value first and the ‘offers over’ value is a little meaningless. Often offers are over the HR value. You can usually download the HR from the estate agents website. Good luck, Edinburgh is a lovely city. Hope all is ok with your family member too.

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