Moving to Edinburgh from USA - need recommendations on catchment areas

[Felicia44]

I'm hoping for insight on the areas of Edinburgh best suited for an expat with a 4 year old. Friends and family have recommended the areas of Leith, Bellevue, and Trinity, but we want to ensure we can land in a great Primary catchment, preferably with lovely parks and not so "student-y". Any recommendations would be helpful, we are leaving in a few weeks and trying to narrow our search area.

Our must haves: great schools, 2 BR, respectful neighbors, a yard or park close by, walking distance to public transport/train and grocery (preferred).

We have a preschool spot held in Merchiston (Corner House Spylaw), but are unsure if we will use it - how is that area for little ones?

How is Cramond? Can anyone advise on schools in that area?

Any insight you can provide will be appreciated.

SB is lovely but get on the waiting list for Arbor House now as places go like that, it's a magical forest nursery where we might send DS if we're lucky.

Grange area is also lovely

I like Spylaw a lot because of the water of Leith path and the tunnel.

You said one of your must haves is catchment for a good primary. So if you’re renting, you’ll need to check the property address is in catchment because placing requests are risky. And if you want to buy in the medium term, you would want to be able to afford the areas near the school (assuming you won’t want to change schools).

I’d second Blackhall and Craigleith, which might be more in budget than Stockbridge. Stockbridge Primary is good and near enough Inverleith Park (the old head is a friend). Flora Stevenson Primary is popular in Craigleith and close to lovely Inverleith Park but at a busy road junction. Blackhall Primary (1970’s building) is very popular and close to Corstorphine Hill nature reserve, and Ravelston Woods and Park but the area is more suburban.

Morningside would work well and South Morningside Primary is great.

People rave about Stockbridge (and I like it too) but why rent in one of the most expensive places (and hence have a small flat to work from home in) when there are so many other decent areas that would give you more home for your money?

Which part of states are you coming from?

Trinity, in the north of the city, is lovely, very settled, quite secluded-feeling, not remotely studenty, some beautiful big houses, close to the sea, parks like Victoria Park and the cute little walled Starbank Park. There is a network of paths/cycle paths on the old suburban railway line, throughout the area, one leading up to a big Tesco. The tram will run into town from nearby Newhaven from next Spring. The local School is Trinity Academy, Leith Academy is not too far away and for private, The Edinburgh Academy also isn't that far. It's a very lovely part of the city.

All those schools have primary feeders as I understand it.

The Pacific Northwest

Thank you for this info! I have heard a lot of great things about Trinity -- is there a strong case to being on the North side vs. South side of Edinburgh? What are the main differences?

Be aware that Morningside, Trinity, Blackhall and Cramond are all expensive areas. Houses
go for way over asking price . The ‘offers over ‘ system means closed bids on desirable properties.

I live in Stockbridge. It's definitely worth the extra money to stay here. It has a community feel at the same time as being 5 min from the centre of Edinburgh (on foot) and the high street has independent florists, bakeries, fishmongers and butchers. It's a really lovely place to live. It's also next to the botanic gardens and and a big park with ducks 😊

The rental market is hot right now. You’ll get 2 beds but not in Stockbridge.

North/South Edinburgh is very much a question of preference. I live on the edge of Trinity and like that you can escape the business of the city here. Being near the sea is also a bonus. It feels a little less densely populated too. I also think getting to and from the airport is easier if that’s a consideration. The area just generally has a good feel to it. But as a previous poster said, it can be pricey but there is a good mixture of houses, houses split into flats and flats, so quite a lot to choose from.

It's easier to get to the university from the south