Relocating to Edinburgh

[itsyourmumlouriza]

Hi everyone, I was wondering if you can give us some tips and recommendations as we are relocating to Edinburgh by the end of July hopefully fingers crossed.

I just got a job offer as a theatre nurse in Vision Scotland in Ratho Station, tentative start date is on August 2025. We are a family of 3 from the Philippines, we've been in the UK since 2016, my son just turned 3 years old, but just fell in love with Scotland so when I got my offer I was over the moon and decided to move.

My dilemma is that, my husband wont be moving with us just yet, because of his current job contract bond in Yorkshire so it will just be me and my son for the meantime.

I am struggling to find a property for rent nearby, I've scoured through rightmove, ESPC, spare room etc. I am still doing my practical driving lessons so we will be commuting all throughout, I've done my research and particularly liked Corstorphine area due to great commute to the clinic and lots of things for my son.

I'm looking at Wee Gems Nursery in Corstorphine to enroll my son full time mon to fri.

Also, looking for a childminder just in case I have an on call shift.

Any thoughts, suggestions are welcome. Thank you!

Ah, thank you! that’s genuinely so helpful! I didn’t realise Ratho and Ratho Station were different, so I’m really glad you mentioned it. Good to know the Citylink bus goes near Ratho Station too, that makes things a bit easier to figure out. I’ll definitely check out Broxburn as well, especially if things don’t work out in Edinburgh right away.
And thanks for the tax info and the link, super useful to have it all clearly laid out. Really appreciate you taking the time to help! 😊

Do look at Broxburn. At least in the short term it will likely be a lot more affordable.

Thank you so, so much, that’s really helpful to know! I’ll definitely have a proper look at the midmarket rental options, even if it’s just to get a feel for what’s out there. A furnished flat share might actually be a smart first step too, especially while I get settled. Really appreciate you sharing your daughter’s experience, it’s such a big help! 😊

parts of West Lothian might also be an option given the bus routes through Ratho Station or Kirkliston / South Queensferry. NetworkMap250406
I wouldn't personally choose Kirkliston but South Queensferry has a nice feel to it by the water. Although childcare could be challenging as they're building so many new houses.

What absolute nonsense.

My family live living in Edinburgh. And having lived in south east it certainly is not the most expensive place in UK and nobody I know is miserable. Quite the opposite.

Child poverty is much lower on Scotland than the rest of the uk so that doesn’t suggest cost of living is substantially higher in Scotland

despite higher taxes at higher wages, the villages north of the border are all much bigger than those on the south side which doesn’t suggest people are keen to live 2 miles away in the cheaper tax area

it is quite clear that "Scotland is the most expensive place to live in in the uk!" @Nearly50omg has never actually lived down south anywhere!

I made the move up to Scotland from the SW and my money goes ten times further up here. I don't recognise your comments at all.

@itsyourmumlouriza good luck with your move, have you had any luck?

Ratho Station has a great bus service. If you live in corstorphine can commute with a number of buses including
X18, X19 Lothian bus. These go on to Kirkliston & Winchburgh if looking out that way. A friend commutes from Ratho Station to Winchburgh, with these buses, takes about 20 minutes. It’s 21 minutes from Holiday inn beside the zoo to Ratho Station on these buses.

As mentioned upthread, other buses from corstorphine to Ratho Station are
900 Citylink which takes 12 mins from zoo to Ratho Station. It’s very well connected.

check out commute times via this website
https://www.travelinescotland.com

There is a travel lodge at Ratho Station, if you needed a hotel.

Good luck with your search.

@Nearly50omgis talking nonsense imho.
I live in a beautiful beachfront house in a very nice area and my children had free university and enjoy free national bus travel. Hospital waiting lists etc are better than the rest of the uk although of course could use improvement.
there is a certain section of society that are so so so hateful of even the possibility of independence that they shout down everything good about Scotland.
the constitution issue is not all
that matters. Scotland is a great place to live and work (but it is cold)
welcome op

Ps racism is everywhere but far less prevalent in Scotland. It is a proudly welcoming liberal left of centre culture (individual idiots everywhere of course) the biggest societal issue is sectarianism but that’s more west coast related.

money goes further, people are largely warmer, schools are better and hospitals are better, uni is free and bus travel is free and prescriptions are free.