Where to live for nature and city?

[nestinginnl]

We're thinking about relocating to Edinburgh, I know the city well but not really the surrounding areas and hoping someone has pointers. We have two young kids and two border collies who need lots of walking.

Would like somewhere that's easy to get into Edinburgh city centre (under 30 mins with no traffic) and also has good access to nature, hills, parks, endless walking.

Somewhere with some personality and cafes and things to do on the doorstep, not having to commute every time. Maybe Dalkeith but I've never been there. Would love to have local friends for me and the kids.

Might as well ask for everything eh 😂

Anywhere we should look at?

The traffic round Barnton is horrendous at all times of day and night and if there’s any incident or roadworks on the main routes in the area it becomes gridlock. It’s also under the flight path and not got the best bus service.
whilst Edinburgh is a pretty green city by city star cards if you’re looking for endless walks and access to nature then I think you need to be looking beyond the city bypass and be more than 30minutes from the city centre on public transport (you don’t want to be driving into the city centre). Dalkeith and eskbank are still very suburban, is that what you’re looking for or do you want more rural village feel?

The place I would want to live is North Berwick but that's more about beach. Easy to get to hills though and a train direct into edinburgh.

North Berwick is lovely. 30 mins on the train to Waverly. Expensive property though!

Definitely not rural village feel, and not busy city, so I guess that leaves us with suburbs 😂 our house right now is right on the edge of nature, then a walk or short drive into a town of 40,000, which feels about right - but to get to the city it's an hour which is too far. Similar to what we have now but with the city 15-30 mins away instead would be ideal.

15-30minutes by any mode of transport puts you still firmly within the boundaries of the city bypass which is really very much “busy city”.
msybe somewhere like Linlithgow would suit you? Are you willing to tell us where you live now as a guide to what you’re looking for?

I'm in the Netherlands so it's not so comparable, it's VERY populated here we we're in a major commuter suburb of Amsterdam. Colinton and maybe Kingsknowe look like the best options from peoples suggestions on here so far.

You could also look at Currie, Juniper Green and Balerno (Curriehill train station)
Or Dalmeny, South Queensferry (Dalmeny station)
All nice family areas which are technically city of Edinburgh but actually just out side the city. All on the edge of countryside but about 20 minutes on train into city centre.

I think Currie or Balerno might be closest to what you’re looking for.

Honestly, @nestinginnl go for Edinburgh city.
great wild hill and woodland walking at Arthur’s seat, blackford, , costorphine hill, and cammo with no sheep issues.

Once you get outside the city you’re looking at more sheep/grazing issues.

if you don’t want to be right in the city the look at S Queenferry area - cammo, crammond, almond river and Dalmeny estate on your doirstep.

Or Joppa area for portobello beach, braid path, portobello, Musselburgh salt flats, and newhailes estate.

dalkeith has the estate but that’s about it.

I'm also going to suggest Linlithgow

Fairmilehead/Buckstone. Mortonhall estate on your doorstep for dog walking, pentland hills in spitting distance, Morningside (cinema, shops, cafes etc.) 30-40 min walk (10-15 mins by bus/car) city centre under 30 minutes with no traffic (longer with, 40-60 mins in rush hour depending on route or mode of transport), good school catchment, easy access to road network and airport.

Ooh yes sounds ideal

Dalkeith, Lasswade, Bonnyrigg, Roslin. It takes 35 mins on the bus to get to the city centre, or 15 mins by train, beautiful walks (Gore Glen, Roslin Glen, Gladhouse Reservoir, Vogrie, the Pentlands, Dalhousie Castle etc etc).

Ignoring my bias, one criteria I would have would be that it’s on a Lothian Buses route.

Cheddar - yes, that's always my stipulation too!

I agree with previous posters that parts of south Edinburgh would probably work for you. Colinton has a lovely park and is v close to the Pentlands. If you can afford it, areas around Blackford Hill would give you access to this area and the Braid Hills for walks. And yes also to Fairmilehead and Buckstone - the fields and walks around Mortonhall have the feeling of being in the countryside.

Anywhere Southside of Edinburgh. Like previous posters have said, fairmilehead is great. Also consider the Grange. Halfway between the Meadows for a studenty vibe and the Hermitage. Time it right and it feels like you can walk for miles round the hermitage without seeing anyone. it has a lovely burn through it for washing the dog. Hop in a car for 15 mins and you have the Pentlands.

Walking into town takes 45mins.

Downside is that it's pricey.

I would also be looking into school catchment areas (unless you're planning to go private), particularly high schools if this is planned to be a long term move.

This 😁