Living inScotland

[Fenton]

I suppose this if all of you living in Scotland...I may have a job offer over there in Edinburgh...just wondering what are the best parts to live in etc..Move wouldnt be until new year probably but just weighing up options

Many thanks

[Nosher]

I suppose this if all of you living in Scotland...I may have a job offer over there in Edinburgh...just wondering what are the best parts to live in etc..Move wouldnt be until new year probably but just weighing up options

Many thanks

The bit that is South of Hadrian's Wall

[Fenton]

Thank you Nosher for your helpful advice...Its a hard think to weigh up, leaving a place where there in no council tax no water charges and free perscriptions is a toughie

[sebigboss79]

Thank you Nosher for your helpful advice...Its a hard think to weigh up, leaving a place where there in no council tax no water charges and free perscriptions is a toughie

Not to mention more and hotter totty. I am in Edinburgh Fenton and we live in Newington (student family accommdation). This area, Morningside and some others are recommended if you wish to avoid certain behavioural patterns.

Travelling from and to work is not really an issue with our frequent and affordable bus service  . Hope to see you soon up North.

[Ithoriel]

It obviously depends on your resources but there are, as in any big city, some more or less desirable areas.

TRAVEL
Some of the decision will also depend on where you are working and what transport you plan to use.

As sebigboss says there is an excellent and affordable bus service.

Cycling is an option though friends who cycle complain that there aren't enough cycle lanes and that those there are are often filled with thoughtlessly parked cars.

Driving is an option but, again as in most cities, rush hour can be slow and constant road works compound that, though the completion of the tram works (at last!!!) should reduce the number of roadworks significantly. Parking in the city centre is a nightmare.

The trams only run from the airport to Princes Street (centre of town) and are a bigger joke and bigger white elephant than "Scotland's Shame" up on Calton Hill ... and that's saying something.

There is also a train service between the centre of town and some of the outlying areas, if you happen to live and work in the right areas.

Finally, as my two sons prove, if you live and work near the centre of Edinburgh, it's a small city and you can walk providing you are fit and eager enough.

AREAS
If you are blessed with cash, Barnton, Murray and The Grange contain many fine Victorian mansions and other desirable residences.

For family homes of more recent build there are estates in places like Balerno, Bonaly, Bughtlin and The Gyle

The areas with traditional tenements that I'd recommend are a sweep of areas known jointly as Southside (Newington, Sciennes, Marchmont, Bruntsfield) which form the northern fringes of The Grange.

My own place is in one of the estates built by Gumley's in the mid-1930s. Cheap by Edinburgh standards (c. £120k) four-in-a-block maisonettes that have lots of room and virtually no soundproofing up and down - so you need to be the types to get on well with your neighbours :-)

Places I didn't have on my list of places to look when I moved include Granton, Pilton, Muirhouse, Broomhouse, Niddrie and Craigmillar.

The Edinburgh Solicitor's Property Centre (aka ESPC) has a website /http://www.espc.com/ which includes most of what's for sale in Edinburgh.

FACILITIES
Edinburgh is well served with pubs, clubs, restaurants and coffee houses.

There are theatres, cinemas, private and public sports facilities.

There are castles, historic houses, churches, mosques and other places of worship.

There are public gardens anjd private gardens open to the public at specific times.

... most, but not all, of these are in the city centre area and may affect your preferred location.


Well, that's my biased and highly personal two ha'porth

[sebigboss79]

We should welcome Fenton in a pub nearby. Meadowbar?

[WeeWars]

Hi Fenton,

You ask where the best parts to live in Edinburgh are. That would depend on your needs and your budget. Maybe you just want to know where not to live? As Ithoriel noted and I would second that ESPC is your best friend -- and knowing sooner would have saved me a lot of leg work when I was house hunting. Granton is not seen as a desirable area but puts you next door to Pendraken at Claymore time once a year. The West, on the tram route (presuming the bleeping thing is ever completed) will give you a direct route into town and to the airport and handy for Glasgow. The South will give you access to Ikea (!) and hill walking the Pentlands in the footsteps of Robert Louis Stevenson. The centre is all bustle at Festival time -- but you can have a holiday at Festival time on the money you can make renting your home while you're away. My favourite is the East with Edinburgh's seaside and access to exploring East Lothian and numerous battle sites. Edinburgh has lots of areas of different character: there are many exclusive village communities within the city, and sprawling student areas, and rough Trainspotting dives. Don't know if a good local school is something you're looking for. There are a couple of active wargames clubs.

Cheers, Michael