Alternatives to Edinburgh

[Doughnutholes]

Has anyone moved out of Edinburgh and found somewhere with as much enrichment but it is somehow half the price? I’ve lived in the west of Glasgow for many years and grew up west coast but I’m not sure I’d go back there. Could consider Southside Glasgow. Would like somewhere with good clubs etc for kids and opportunities for meeting other adults.

Do your research first though. Yes there’s lovely cafes etc but not a huge amount of things for young kids to do, the beach can be a bit manky, prefer to take mine to Cramond. Lot of pressure on nurseries, schools etc with the house building along Buileyon Road, houses in the older parts are pricy compared to other towns / villages nearby. (I live here and get a bit cabin fever at times!) great, if you have a car as loads of places become easily accessible. It can be a bit more challenging if you’re solely reliant on public transport.

I love Edinburgh and Glasgow. From one, went to Uni in the other. Both too bloody expensive to live in these days, lol. I moved to West Lothian, on a train line, for the best of both worlds. Got a decent sized house for the same price as my Edinburgh flat. I don’t have kids though, so schools etc wasn’t a consideration.

This is the only thing that puts me off queensferry. The pressure on services due to the large sprawls of new builds.

I have a health condition and I have a great menopause nurse where I am so rely on my GP practice quite a bit.

In theory Queensferry ticks most boxes though and I do drive so don’t mind using the car.

Yes- the poster who said just make the most of where you are. I will probably do this first. I’m getting inpatient with the place. It’s expensive for what it is and needs a new kitchen, new plastering in walls- it’s a really long term project but could be lovely. There are just lots of times where I question why I paid what I did for a 2 bed flat that needs loads of work done. The answer is location and schools!

And those are super valid reasons! Plenty of children all over edinburgh living in smaller spaces for schools. A lovely location is a massive bonus. Remember it would cost thousands and thousands to move with stamp duty and movers and all that so if you can invest that into the home you already have you aren’t out of pocket anything extra. You can’t recreate your location elsewhere, it will always be a compromise from where I think you are living now. I did compromise but with 3 ND people in the house we weren’t sharing nicely and it was super worth it to me for the bigger space.

I also have an ND child! Maybe the space is for me more that anyone else 😬

How about looking for a slightly larger flat? I'm Scottish originally but we live in Bath now (DH from near here) which I think is a bit similar to Edinburgh

We have a 3 bed flat and this has worked out well, large kitchen with room for a dining table.

It has really come into it's own as the DC have grown, no running them around anywhere as they can get buses / taxis / trains or walk. Not suggesting you move to bath btw, although it is great for getting into London or Bristol. Prices are really high for housing, we can only afford it as DH is a bit older and bought the flat when prices were lower.

Haha that could easily describe Livingston..."houses upon houses with not much else around " but you're sorted for shopping at least 🤣🤣

I’m wondering how old your dc are - we thought about moving out but by the time you’re wanting them to be more independent and start moving about on their own you realise central Edinburgh is an unbeatably good place to do that. I’ve had more space and less space and with more space, I put stuff in cupboards and never find it again…so there is that downside.

my dc are still primary age. As someone who ended up drinking buckfast on the street at age 13, I’m very very aware of needing to be somewhere with stuff to do so your point is very important to me.

Exactly, I do remember that tug at primary age when you’re peak stuff, hobbies, toys, drowning in clutter and wanting to escape a bit, and then all of a sudden you’re into the next stage. I was glad I didn’t go elsewhere for more space, as you start getting your life back a bit too, wanting to go out more and then being further away hampers that.