Locations for 1st time buyer in Edinburgh

[Opalgatherer]

My son is looking for his first flat in Edinburgh absolute max £235k (couldn’t have a factor payment on top which seems to rule out most modernish places) but he’d prefer significantly less . His life is based around South Gyle, any ideas about safe nice areas where he could afford a 2 bed in reasonable condition? He’s seen a flat in Clermiston online but I’ve heard very mixed things about the area.

Ratho village and the surrounding areas? Close to south gyle and safe. Quite out the way through

Thank you, he seemed to consider Ratho and Kirkliston to begin with as would suit hobbies and work but a little out of it socially.
He’s veering in and out quite randomly to be honest via Maps, I think we have to drive / bus / tram around a bit at various times but a couple of fixed price cheap flats have come up and I think he’s very tempted to rush in.

Clermiston is absolutely fine, or East Craigs which is the other side of the Drum Brae might be a possibility.

Can't edit my first post but if he is prepared to go to the top of his budget he could get a nice wee house in East Craigs (or Corstorphine in estate agent speak, LOL!).
https://espc.com/property/14-stuart-park-corstorphine-edinburgh-eh12-8yd/36342142?sid=961719

East Craigs is fine. I lived there for a while and it's a mix of council and private. Nice enough though that I felt safe living there as a female on my own. It is rather out of the way mind. Perfect for travel to his job in the gyle (could probably walk it) but dead socially.

If he is looking for safe areas 'in town' I recommend Abbeyhill. He'll have a bit of a commute to work but I lived there too (and worked at Ratho) and it's a friendly feeling area with lots of community spirit. Prices were always quite reasonable compared to the rest of Edinburgh and good for Parks, Beach and walking into town.

Depends really if he wants to live beside his work (but be away from the social buzz) or if he prefers to live in town and travel a bit to his job.

I did both (while working near Ratho) and both had their pro's and cons.

Good luck to you son. Trying to buy in Edinburgh (or even places like Dunfermline now) have gotten really expensive and competitive.

If he only needs a one bed, he should be able to stretch to some of the cheaper streets in stockbridge (Dean Park Street for example). Then he's in a good area, in town with all the social things and on the right side of town for commuting to the gyle (does he drive?).

If he is really social there is lots of nice pubs, eating places etc there on his doorstep.

Is the 2 bed requirement because he's getting a lodger? If not I'd seriously consider a 1 bed in the more lively gorgie, slateford, polwarth, fountainbridge areas. Quite close enough to walk to haymarket for tram to s gyle and plenty bus choices. You'll get s tenement flat (1 bed) with his budget. Maybe even a 2. Harrison Park is nice.

Not a chance you would get anywhere in Stockbridge for £235k!

Oh I love the look of this one! I’ll show him.

The second bedroom is mainly for working from home. He has a quite large set up of 2 wide monitors work computer and gaming one, a boom mike thing with big electric standing desk - just changed jobs within same firm and old job was 10 hour shift pattern so also big comfy chair. New job more but not entirely 9-5 and office based but will still need to put in the odd shift from home and this would be how he’d pick up overtime. Had this set up in living room of previous one bed rental flat and hated it as he could never switch off though that flat was very small. Similarly always had study/gaming set up in his bedroom at home and through uni and is looking forward to separating it out.

2nd room rental would be a safety net but hoping and planning to go it alone.

He does drive and has a wee car.

For a young person I’d look at areas going in towards the city like corstorphine, Clermiston, Roseburn, Slateford which are all easily commutable. Areas out on the periphery like Ratho and Kirkliston are more family areas

What about the gyle area itself? This looks nice:

https://espc.com/property/78-5-gylemuir-road-corstorphine-edinburgh-eh12-7dw/36363365?sid=466526

Or as others have said, Gorgie, Fountainbridge, Polwarth, Slateford

5 flats have sold in that street for £235k or less in the last year.

Another 2 just slightly over.

It depends how old your son is but if he’s in his 20s and enjoys socialising / going out etc I’d advise him to buy a shoe box in a central place rather than live in the Gyle / Corsorphine.

You'd be surprised. Rightmove sold prices for Dean Park street in stockbridge.

Last one sold recently for just under 235K.

House Prices in Dean Park Street, Edinburgh, EH4

When you say his life is at South Gyle, do you mean his work, or also hobbies and friends?

I’d second looking at Dalry, Gorgie, Slateford. And it’s still just about possible to get 2 beds walking distance to tram in Leith, where there’s loads going on for young people.

I stayed in Gorgie in my 20s and also recommend Dalry and Slateford areas. Easy walk into the city and haymarket. Mostly young professionals when we stayed there.

I'd look around Murrayfield / Roseburn for ease of commuting to work and access to the city centre. Dalry and Gorgie he'll get more for his money. I wouldn't go any further east of there or his commute will be painful. Parts of Leith could work if he doesn't mind a slightly longer commute on the tram.