Dunbar - relocation questions

[FroggyWentACourtin2]

Hello mumsnetters! Talk to me about Dunbar :-) Hoping to relocate within the next year or so with DH and DD (2) and have a few questions..

-Does anyone have any knowledge of what the nurseries/ primary are like?
-Thinking ahead, what’s it like as a place to live for teenagers?
-Are there any particular areas that are nice/ should be avoided (not sure if it’s a big enough place to have ‘rough’ neighbourhoods but would be good to know if particular areas have more anti-social behaviour/ teenagers loitering at night etc..).

It looks like almost all the properties that come on the market are new builds or very recent builds. Does anyone have any first hand experience of buying a place like this in Dunbar? all experiences (positive or otherwise) welcome.

Obviously we’ll be visiting to do our own research but it’s always useful to hear first hand from people who live there or have spent significant time there.

Limited experience myself, but friends moved out there and are so happy. They moved from a quite dead Edinburgh suburb which probably took about 45 minutes to get to Waverley by bus. They love that Dunbar is still a train ride away but because it’s its own place there is stuff going on there too like social clubs for running etc. they say their old suburb lacked this entirely as it was just a commuter spot.

It’s a really beautiful bit of coast. Moving either there or North Berwick is part of my retirement fantasy.

I am in EL and have friends in Dunbar. They live in new builds. All seem happy there. Some estates are a bit further out of town than others.

My friends used the private nursery called cherry trees and all were happy with it. I think there were waiting lists to get in so maybe contact them sooner than later incase thats still the case.

The primary school is the largest in Scotland and split over 2 sites for the lower and upper years. A couple of years ago there was quite a number of local reports and rumours about problems at the primary school (not sure which site). Then they got a new head not long after who according to my friend was a no nonsense head with a reputation for turning around schools with problems. I havent heard anything since so I guess that could be seen as a good sign.

For older kids wanting to go to Edinburgh, the last train is very early. Im sure iv heard its around 7/8pm. There will be a bus service im sure but it will be a longer journey.

Swimming pool good for young kids with wave machine and flume. Good amount of independent shops on high street although some are concerned about parking charges due to come in.

There's a private primary school that is highly regarded locally.

Overall, I think its a nice town and its handy for the motorway if you need to commute.

Thanks - that is all useful. Reassuring to hear that your friends are happy there.

Anyone else have first-hand experience of living in Dunbar?

Not first hand, sorry, but SIL lives in a village just outside Dunbar and I have a friend who lives in one of the new builds. They used to work in Edinburgh and found the commute ok. DN didn’t go to the big primary but one of the smaller ones and is now getting on fine at the grammar. It’s a lovely community and has lots of activities. I remember taking DD to a holiday club at the library (from Midlothian) because what was on offer was so much better there.

OP, feel free to DM me for more info 👍

Hello - I live close to Dunbar. It’s a lovely wee town and some interesting independent shops, etc. Great local countryside and beaches if you’re outdoorsy. Good sense of community. Primary school seems fine from what I hear from friends. My teen went to the high school and found it a good experience for the most part. However, I would say there’s not that much to do for teenagers and that does lead to some incidents of antisocial behaviour. But that seems to be on the increase everywhere post COVID.