Should we stay (in Edinburgh) or go (back home)?

[lovelylight]

I'm originally from the south east of England but I've lived in Edinburgh for almost 15 years. Married to an Irish husband with one DS aged 2. For the past year or so I've had this nagging desire to move back down south. DH is easy either way, would move if I really pushed for it but equally quite happy to bumble along as we are.

For the move:

• Better weather and longer days in the winter - I find the winters here so challenging and even the best summers just aren't as hot and sunny as they are in SE England.
• Easier to make friends, maybe? I've been trying to make new friends since I was on maternity leave with depressingly little success.
• Lower tax for the moment, at least, although council tax will likely be higher.
• More pleasant environment - Edinburgh seems so run down and grotty these days (or maybe I'm just more aware of it)?
• My home town is better for younger children - more walkable, loads of events on all year round, good schools, easy enough to get to bigger cities on public transport for teenagers.
• Closer to my parents so I could be there for them as they get older.

Against the move:

• We do have a couple of good friends here in Edinburgh and there's no guarantee of making new ones down south.
• Although we'd be closer to my parents, they would not provide childcare, and we'd move further away from my in-laws who do make the effort to fly over and help out every couple of months at the moment.
• Schools - DS is August born, which would make him one of the youngest in the year in England (although I do have concerns about the rigour of the Curriculum for Excellence too).
• Jobs - both DH and I are civil servants at the moment. Realistically we're looking at commuting into London several days a week and either taking on more responsibility to stay at the same level of pay or a pay cut. At the moment DH is full time WFH and I'm hybrid with a 45 minute commute.
• Much more to do for older kids and teenagers in Edinburgh.
• Free university - although I don't think that benefit will still be in place by the time DS is uni age.

My head says stay but my heart wants to go. Any words of wisdom?

this entire year has been the worst weather I can remember! It definitely clouds the judgment - went to see family down south - perfect 20-26 c for days on end. Come back, people wearing coats in august.

good decision - you’ve got plenty of time to think this over, with a small child I would not be keen to have a long commute.

I think it’s easy to forget what we have on our doorstep when you actually live in Edinburgh. I see your catchment is Firrhill and I have to say it’s a really, really good one.

Try moving outside of Edinburgh if you want a village feel? You don't need to go all the way back to your home town in England for that!

Did you decide what to do OP?

Do not come back to the SE. Its overcrowded and just not the same as 15 years ago. I'd give anything to move to Edinburgh! Agreed the weather is bad = but the SE had too many negatives.