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Where to live in Edinburgh

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    #32
    Jack B. Badd
    Registered Users Posts: 3,294 ✭✭✭Jack B. Badd


    jimmii wrote: »
    That would suck! By blackspot do you mean a UK blackspot where you can "only" get 30mb broadband or an Irish blackspot where you can't even get a phone line!

    More like 10mb max. No superfast broadband options that we can see, which for a major city is just nuts.


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    #33
    jimmii
    Registered Users Posts: 14,810 ✭✭✭✭jimmii


    Jack B. Badd wrote: »
    More like 10mb max. No superfast broadband options that we can see, which for a major city is just nuts.

    Thats not so bad really am in Dublin City Centre and only get 8mb from Eircom!


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    #34
    NoCrackHaving
    Registered Users Posts: 535 ✭✭✭NoCrackHaving


    Jack B. Badd wrote: »
    More like 10mb max. No superfast broadband options that we can see, which for a major city is just nuts.

    I suspect it's probably to do with the amount of listed buildings down there, no lines have ever probably been allowed to be brought in.


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    #35
    crushproof
    Registered Users Posts: 2,809 ✭✭✭crushproof


    I believe it's reliable - but the timetable isn't great, only every 30 /40 minutes, even at rush hour.

    The X26 and X24 express buses are fairly decent in rush hour, usually 25-30 minutes to Princes Street.


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    #36
    jimmii
    Registered Users Posts: 14,810 ✭✭✭✭jimmii


    crushproof wrote: »
    I believe it's reliable - but the timetable isn't great, only every 30 /40 minutes, even at rush hour.

    The X26 and X24 express buses are fairly decent in rush hour, usually 25-30 minutes to Princes Street.

    Thats seems crazy. I was thinking there would be one every 15-20 minutes at worst! I'm guessing its a line that doesn't really go anywhere then.


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    #37
    seachto7
    Closed Accounts Posts: 7,863 ✭✭✭seachto7


    Correct place to post this? Just back from my third trip to Edinburgh. Still ranks as one of the top cities I've visited, even though I'll admit it was a bit TOO packed this time.

    As it is, I am mulling over a possible move to the UK, and am going to put Edinburgh in the mix as well. Anyone know good local recruitment agents there I could get in touch with? (in addition to applying directly)


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    #38
    Battleflag
    Registered Users Posts: 856 ✭✭✭Battleflag


    seachto7 wrote: »
    Correct place to post this? Just back from my third trip to Edinburgh. Still ranks as one of the top cities I've visited, even though I'll admit it was a bit TOO packed this time.

    As it is, I am mulling over a possible move to the UK, and am going to put Edinburgh in the mix as well. Anyone know good local recruitment agents there I could get in touch with? (in addition to applying directly)

    Mates of mine have had success with Manpower and others have been dicked around by them, they have an office just off princes st - http://www.manpower.co.uk/


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    #39
    kelledy
    Registered Users Posts: 221 ✭✭kelledy


    When I first moved here I wanted to stay right in edinburgh as I was so use to living in the heart of Dublin ... But I stayed with my girlfriends family for a short while just west of edinburgh , and stayed here ever since . Livingston is a large area but aside from that heading back into Edinburgh there's some lovely areas like Ratho , kirknewton , East calder and mid calder .
    They are all served by 3 buses to princes st , the 27,28 & 40 , bout 30 min to princes St.

    Much quieter but it's grown on me and there's a lovely huge forest the almondel and a canal etc.
    decent value for money aswell if being outside the city isn't a big deal .
    Seems to be quiet a few new builds out here popping up aswell


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    #40
    jimmii
    Registered Users Posts: 14,810 ✭✭✭✭jimmii


    Started looking further out now. Anyone know much about Prestonpans? Looks to only be about 15 minutes to Waverley so that looks fine seems to be a fairly quiet area which is fine by us and it ticks the by the coast box! Money obviously goes a hell of a lot further out there!

    Whats the jobs situation like over there now? We'll probably only be looking for one or two people initially (retail) are we going to get swamped or are we likely to struggle to find someone suitable? We'll be looking to pay at least whatever is considered the "living wage" so guess it is likely to be paying a bit more than typical retail jobs.


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    #41
    NoCrackHaving
    Registered Users Posts: 535 ✭✭✭NoCrackHaving


    jimmii wrote: »
    Started looking further out now. Anyone know much about Prestonpans? Looks to only be about 15 minutes to Waverley so that looks fine seems to be a fairly quiet area which is fine by us and it ticks the by the coast box! Money obviously goes a hell of a lot further out there!

    It used to be known for being pretty rough and fairly grim (like most ex mining towns in Scotland)but apparently has come up in the world hugely in the last 10 years or so. I know a few people who live there and they all enjoy it but don't do any socialising in the town, very much seen as 'blow ins', and they're all Edinburgh born and bred.

    I'd recommend visiting it and seeing what it's like. If you're looking into East Lothian I'd put Musselburgh or Cockenzie ahead of it.
    jimmii wrote: »
    Whats the jobs situation like over there now? We'll probably only be looking for one or two people initially (retail) are we going to get swamped or are we likely to struggle to find someone suitable? We'll be looking to pay at least whatever is considered the "living wage" so guess it is likely to be paying a bit more than typical retail jobs.

    You'll likely get swamped to be honest. Unemployment in Edinburgh is incredibly low but a lot of the retail sector is propped up by students and holiday workers from Spain and France. As a result retail usually pays pretty poorly compared to the cost of living here so it's not seen as a long term game. However if you're paying the living wage (even a little higher could be worth it) rather than minimum you'll get your pick of candidates looking for better paid work.


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    #42
    jimmii
    Registered Users Posts: 14,810 ✭✭✭✭jimmii


    Yeh figured paying the living would mean we would hopefully get a few decent options. We have quite a few viewings lined up now and have left around an hour beforehand for having a wander around. No point getting a really nice house if the area just isn't working for you.


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    #43
    razorblunt
    Registered Users Posts: 17,300 ✭✭✭✭razorblunt


    Worth viewing all those places at weekends too,when schools are out and its a bit noisier.

    I could be wrong but I'd say if you were looking for long term full time employment it might make your application look better than just Uni part time.


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    #44
    jimmii
    Registered Users Posts: 14,810 ✭✭✭✭jimmii


    Have offer accepted on an apartment in Prestonpans for a little below Home report we really wanted the place so would have gone a good 7k-8k more if need be so happy to get it at that price! Anyone know how long the missives etc takes normally?


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    #45
    crushproof
    Registered Users Posts: 2,809 ✭✭✭crushproof


    Good stuff jimmii, glad to see you found a place.
    One of the new guys in work mentioned he moved out there recently - found it to be a grand place to live. As far as I know he has a young family so it must be good for schools etc.


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    #46
    jimmii
    Registered Users Posts: 14,810 ✭✭✭✭jimmii


    Yeh round the corner there is a very nice looking school. It is also home to the cleanest toilet in the UK never seen a public toilet so clean its cleaner than a brand new unused one here!

    There's a couple of pubs and you have a choice of a few shops for groceries and for proper shopping For Kinnaird is only a 10-15 minute drive if you don't fancy going into town. We've had enough of City living it will nice to be able to just cross the road and be at the seaside! Have to go over sign the missives etc soon deadline is set for Nov 13th we were hoping to get in sooner but they're going to watch the World Cup so thats going to slow things down a few weeks.

    Thanks for all the help everyone!


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    #47
    BlackEdelweiss
    Registered Users Posts: 1,535 ✭✭✭BlackEdelweiss


    I know this is kind of dragging up an old thread but I have a similar question but looking for answers for areas that would be good to rent in for a family with 4 kids aged from 16 to 6. Just thinking about moving to Edinburgh so trying to work out living costs.


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    #48
    Michael D Not Higgins
    Registered Users Posts: 7,223 ✭✭✭Michael D Not Higgins


    BlackEdelweiss wrote: »
    I know this is kind of dragging up an old thread but I have a similar question but looking for answers for areas that would be good to rent in for a family with 4 kids aged from 16 to 6. Just thinking about moving to Edinburgh so trying to work out living costs.

    Are you looking for a 5 bed? That'll be your limiting factor, there's not many to rent but it'll cost you at least £2000-3000 per month, with council tax another £200-300 per month.


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    #49
    NoCrackHaving
    Registered Users Posts: 535 ✭✭✭NoCrackHaving


    Michael D Not Higgins wrote: »
    Are you looking for a 5 bed? That'll be your limiting factor, there's not many to rent but it'll cost you at least £2000-3000 per month, with council tax another £200-300 per month.

    At that sort of money you'd be a whole lot better off buying if possible, mortgage repayments would be far, far less than that I'd imagine...although I can't ever see myself buying a 5 bed to be honest so not entirely sure!:D


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    #50
    BlackEdelweiss
    Registered Users Posts: 1,535 ✭✭✭BlackEdelweiss


    A 4 bed would do us, even a 3 bed if it was all we could afford at first. We have a 4 bed now but the kids all share a room and we have a playroom for the younger ones in the other bedroom. Its not the most popular situation but it works ok. What kind of price could we get a decent 3 or 4 bed? What is the deposit on a house now? We bought ours in Ireland in 2003 with 0% deposit, New Zealand is 20% so that was never going to happen.


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    #51
    razorblunt
    Registered Users Posts: 17,300 ✭✭✭✭razorblunt


    There's a few places around offering 0% mortgages, I'd imagine you'd need to sort employment (non contracting) and credit history before applying though.

    You're probably best sitting down with a broker when you get yourself sorted.


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    #52
    OneColdHand
    Registered Users Posts: 4,312 ✭✭✭OneColdHand


    BlackEdelweiss wrote: »
    A 4 bed would do us, even a 3 bed if it was all we could afford at first. We have a 4 bed now but the kids all share a room and we have a playroom for the younger ones in the other bedroom. Its not the most popular situation but it works ok. What kind of price could we get a decent 3 or 4 bed? What is the deposit on a house now? We bought ours in Ireland in 2003 with 0% deposit, New Zealand is 20% so that was never going to happen.

    I'm by no means an expert, but I think the rule of thumb is 3.5 times your combined salary. That might be a good place to start.


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    #53
    razorblunt
    Registered Users Posts: 17,300 ✭✭✭✭razorblunt


    OneColdHand wrote: »
    I'm by no means an expert, but I think the rule of thumb is 3.5 times your combined salary. That might be a good place to start.

    That's the top limit for the mortgage, surely?


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    #54
    Michael D Not Higgins
    Registered Users Posts: 7,223 ✭✭✭Michael D Not Higgins


    razorblunt wrote: »
    That's the top limit for the mortgage, surely?

    4.5 for the UK (or is that just England?), I've seen calculators from banks give suggested max LTIs of 4.75 in Scotland.

    3.5 is the limit in Ireland for mortgage lending rules from the Central Bank of Ireland.


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    #55
    Unz88
    Registered Users Posts: 56 ✭✭Unz88


    What are UK mortgage lenders' expectations in terms of wanting buyers to have a good credit rating? I've only been in the UK for 6 months and am only just getting around to credit card application. If we are in a position produce a good sized deposit would that satisfy them?


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    #56
    BlackEdelweiss
    Registered Users Posts: 1,535 ✭✭✭BlackEdelweiss


    We will be bringing our dog with us, will this affect our chances of finding somewhere decent to live? I dont see no dogs on any of the rental adds.


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    #57
    jimmii
    Registered Users Posts: 14,810 ✭✭✭✭jimmii


    BlackEdelweiss wrote: »
    We will be bringing our dog with us, will this affect our chances of finding somewhere decent to live? I dont see no dogs on any of the rental adds.

    Edinburgh is probably the most dog friendly city in the world! In a lot of shops and even restaurants not only are dogs welcome they have water bowls for them too.


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    #58
    Jack B. Badd
    Registered Users Posts: 3,294 ✭✭✭Jack B. Badd


    BlackEdelweiss wrote: »
    We will be bringing our dog with us, will this affect our chances of finding somewhere decent to live? I dont see no dogs on any of the rental adds.

    We rent with a cat & while some landlords are odd about it, most here seem to be fine. You may have to have to pay a larger deposit or agree to have to place cleaned or flea-treated at the end of the tenancy. But that's par for the course with a pet.

    However, while the landlords may be fine, some of the letting agents are a pain. Some claim they don't rent properties that allow pets (how they screen their clients is beyond me), & some claim that the property doesn't allow pets when you initially call (even though you may get a totally different answer from their colleague). Our approach was to ignore the topic unless the ad specifically says no pets & until you've viewed the place. If we were interested, then we asked the agent showing the place to check with the landlord when submitting our application. On the plus side, you don't normally have to put a holding deposit down unless your application is approved (unlike in London, where you need to pay it on the spot).

    Hope that helps.


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    #59
    Dr_Bill
    Registered Users Posts: 295 ✭✭Dr_Bill


    I live just over the bridge near North Queensferry, prices are very reasonable for renting in comparison to Edinburgh and you will get a lot more for your money. Expect to save around 200- 300 for a month in comparison to Edinburgh in terms of rent on a two bed.

    Dunfermline & Inverkeithing are on the mainline into Edinburgh, trains are every 15-20mins and take about 20mins to get to Waverley Station. Dalgety Bay, Aberdour are very nice, but quiet, so if your after hussle and bussle they won't be for you.

    Commute times by car to Central Edinburgh are approx 40mins at rush hour and not a massive different in terms of commute between North & South Queensferry. Both are very good to live with some nice coffee shops & decent pubs for a pint in the evening.

    Some sites to help you in your search and to get a feel for rental prices
      [*]http://www.fifelettingservice.co.uk/
      [*]http://morganlaw.co.uk/
      [*]https://www.your-move.co.uk/
      [*]https://www.martinco.com/


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      #60
      Michael D Not Higgins
      Registered Users Posts: 7,223 ✭✭✭Michael D Not Higgins


      Dr_Bill wrote: »
      I live just over the bridge near North Queensferry, prices are very reasonable for renting in comparison to Edinburgh and you will get a lot more for your money. Expect to save around 200- 300 for a month in comparison to Edinburgh in terms of rent on a two bed.

      The only problem with this is that a season ticket from Inverkeithing to Edinburgh Waverley will set you back half of that saving, so if there's two of you working in Edinburgh you don't save anything.

      Another way would be what a colleague of mine who lived in Inverkeithing did which is drive to one of the park and rides and get the bus into town. With a round trip of ~25miles and the monthly bus ticket costing £50, for two adults you're nearly hitting 200/month again. (and you're at the mercy of the bridge closing for high winds or another rusted support).

      As it stands I'd rather pay the £200 difference in rent and walk to work than commute for that cost and double or triple the travel time.


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      #61
      NoCrackHaving
      Registered Users Posts: 535 ✭✭✭NoCrackHaving


      Michael D Not Higgins wrote: »
      The only problem with this is that a season ticket from Inverkeithing to Edinburgh Waverley will set you back half of that saving, so if there's two of you working in Edinburgh you don't save anything.

      Another way would be what a colleague of mine who lived in Inverkeithing did which is drive to one of the park and rides and get the bus into town. With a round trip of ~25miles and the monthly bus ticket costing £50, for two adults you're nearly hitting 200/month again. (and you're at the mercy of the bridge closing for high winds or another rusted support).

      As it stands I'd rather pay the £200 difference in rent and walk to work than commute for that cost and double or triple the travel time.

      The cost of season tickets in Scotland is truly phenomenal. Theoretically Glasgow/Edinburgh should really be one economic region with commuting between the cities a lot more commonplace than it is. However the costs of commuting put a huge number of people off this idea. I looked at it myself a few times and once you add a season ticket in a lot of the finances of certain jobs no longer match up.


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