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Wanting to move outside the city - any tips?
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gogo
Feb 6, 2012, 5:33:53 AM2/6/12
to
Hello,
I thought I would write here on the off chance that someone would be
willing to make comments or give me tips. I’ve been living happily in
Edinburgh for the past 14 years, including 10 years in my present flat
in Bruntsfield. I do love it and I love being able to cycle to work
every day (I work at the Western General Hospital) on the Roseburn Path.
However, there’s one important thing missing: I’ve always wanted a
proper (fairly large) garden. I’m not happy any more with the little
patch of communal garden I have (I don’t even see it from my flat).
Now, given my budget, it’s quite obvious that this is not something I
can afford in the city (I would have about £250K), and I’m starting to
think about the possibility to move somewhere outside the city and start
commuting. Obviously it’s a big decision to make, and there are many
considerations, but I guess, with age, my social life is getting a lot
quieter and therefore the city attraction getting weaker and it’s
definitely something I’d consider in the next few years.
Having said that, now that I’ve been looking at house for sale offers
for a few months, I was a bit disheartened when I realised that it’s
going to be very difficult to find, even outside the city. Yes, there
are tons and tons of new/modern builds at an affordable price, but
usually I don’t really like them and they don’t have large garden
anyway. In general, It’s very difficult to find a large garden attached
to a small-ish house: ideally, I would like maybe 2-3 bedrooms, but most
of the large gardens are attached to huge 5 bedrooms houses….
So, at the moment, I’m browsing the “for sale” ads and make note of the
kind of house that would be potentially suitable for me and where they
are, so I can gather enough information to have abetter idea of what’s
possible. I’ve also started visiting these different areas at the
week-ends, to see what they look like.
Also, I’m trying to limit myself to a realistic distance from work, with
the aim of having no more than, say, 45 minutes commuting each way. But
I don’t have any experience of peak time traffic in Edinburgh
whatsoever, so, I’m not sure how far I can go… at first, I thought I
would keep within reach of a bus as well (for example, there are quite a
few buses going to/around Penicuik and going to the Western General),
but giving the rarity of such houses, I’ve also been looking a bit
further. For example, last week end, I’ve been on the Linlithgow/Bo’ness
side, which have quite nice countryside, but how much should I add to
the Sunday 30 minute journey to have a idea of commuting at peak time?
Any idea by how much I should multiply the Google map directions time to
have something realistic on a weekday morning?
Right, I realise this is all very vague but any idea/tip/advice is
welcome!!! Thanks.
I thought I would write here on the off chance that someone would be
willing to make comments or give me tips. I’ve been living happily in
Edinburgh for the past 14 years, including 10 years in my present flat
in Bruntsfield. I do love it and I love being able to cycle to work
every day (I work at the Western General Hospital) on the Roseburn Path.
However, there’s one important thing missing: I’ve always wanted a
proper (fairly large) garden. I’m not happy any more with the little
patch of communal garden I have (I don’t even see it from my flat).
Now, given my budget, it’s quite obvious that this is not something I
can afford in the city (I would have about £250K), and I’m starting to
think about the possibility to move somewhere outside the city and start
commuting. Obviously it’s a big decision to make, and there are many
considerations, but I guess, with age, my social life is getting a lot
quieter and therefore the city attraction getting weaker and it’s
definitely something I’d consider in the next few years.
Having said that, now that I’ve been looking at house for sale offers
for a few months, I was a bit disheartened when I realised that it’s
going to be very difficult to find, even outside the city. Yes, there
are tons and tons of new/modern builds at an affordable price, but
usually I don’t really like them and they don’t have large garden
anyway. In general, It’s very difficult to find a large garden attached
to a small-ish house: ideally, I would like maybe 2-3 bedrooms, but most
of the large gardens are attached to huge 5 bedrooms houses….
So, at the moment, I’m browsing the “for sale” ads and make note of the
kind of house that would be potentially suitable for me and where they
are, so I can gather enough information to have abetter idea of what’s
possible. I’ve also started visiting these different areas at the
week-ends, to see what they look like.
Also, I’m trying to limit myself to a realistic distance from work, with
the aim of having no more than, say, 45 minutes commuting each way. But
I don’t have any experience of peak time traffic in Edinburgh
whatsoever, so, I’m not sure how far I can go… at first, I thought I
would keep within reach of a bus as well (for example, there are quite a
few buses going to/around Penicuik and going to the Western General),
but giving the rarity of such houses, I’ve also been looking a bit
further. For example, last week end, I’ve been on the Linlithgow/Bo’ness
side, which have quite nice countryside, but how much should I add to
the Sunday 30 minute journey to have a idea of commuting at peak time?
Any idea by how much I should multiply the Google map directions time to
have something realistic on a weekday morning?
Right, I realise this is all very vague but any idea/tip/advice is
welcome!!! Thanks.
The Real Doctor
Feb 6, 2012, 6:54:09 AM2/6/12
to
On 06/02/12 10:33, gogo wrote:
> In general, It’s very difficult to find a large garden attached to a
> small-ish house: ideally, I would like maybe 2-3 bedrooms, but most of
> the large gardens are attached to huge 5 bedrooms houses….
A search on "2 bed house with garden under 250k" at www.espc.co.uk
> In general, It’s very difficult to find a large garden attached to a
> small-ish house: ideally, I would like maybe 2-3 bedrooms, but most of
> the large gardens are attached to huge 5 bedrooms houses….
produces 313 suggestions.
Ian
gogo
Feb 6, 2012, 6:58:25 AM2/6/12
to
"garden" could very well be a few square meters of patio/lawn (and it's
often the case). What I do is use Google map to have a look at these
addresses and actually mesure the surface of the gardens. And let me
tell you that *most* of these are really quite small. Well, since the
garden is my main reason for wanting to move, I'd consider something
above, say, 10m x 20m, or bigger...
Jeremy Nicoll - news posts
Feb 7, 2012, 10:38:41 PM2/7/12
to
gogo <gogo.g...@invalid.gmail.com> wrote:
> I thought I would write here on the off chance that someone would be
> willing to make comments or give me tips. I’ve been living happily in
> Edinburgh for the past 14 years, including 10 years in my present flat in
> Bruntsfield. I do love it and I love being able to cycle to work every day
> (I work at the Western General Hospital) on the Roseburn Path. However,
> there’s one important thing missing: I’ve always wanted a proper (fairly
> large) garden.
Does it have to be attached to your house?
> I thought I would write here on the off chance that someone would be
> willing to make comments or give me tips. I’ve been living happily in
> Edinburgh for the past 14 years, including 10 years in my present flat in
> Bruntsfield. I do love it and I love being able to cycle to work every day
> (I work at the Western General Hospital) on the Roseburn Path. However,
> there’s one important thing missing: I’ve always wanted a proper (fairly
> large) garden.
Could you come to some arrangement with someone who has a big house and
garden to let you look after some or all of it?
--
Jeremy C B Nicoll - my opinions are my own.
Email sent to my from-address will be deleted. Instead, please reply
to newsre...@wingsandbeaks.org.uk replacing "aaa" by "284".
Derek F
Feb 8, 2012, 4:08:34 AM2/8/12
to
On 08/02/2012 03:38, Jeremy Nicoll - news posts wrote:
> gogo<gogo.g...@invalid.gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> I thought I would write here on the off chance that someone would be
>> willing to make comments or give me tips. I’ve been living happily in
>> Edinburgh for the past 14 years, including 10 years in my present flat in
>> Bruntsfield. I do love it and I love being able to cycle to work every day
>> (I work at the Western General Hospital) on the Roseburn Path. However,
>> there’s one important thing missing: I’ve always wanted a proper (fairly
>> large) garden.
>
> Does it have to be attached to your house?
>
> Could you come to some arrangement with someone who has a big house and
> garden to let you look after some or all of it?
>
Or get an allotment.
> gogo<gogo.g...@invalid.gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> I thought I would write here on the off chance that someone would be
>> willing to make comments or give me tips. I’ve been living happily in
>> Edinburgh for the past 14 years, including 10 years in my present flat in
>> Bruntsfield. I do love it and I love being able to cycle to work every day
>> (I work at the Western General Hospital) on the Roseburn Path. However,
>> there’s one important thing missing: I’ve always wanted a proper (fairly
>> large) garden.
>
> Does it have to be attached to your house?
>
> Could you come to some arrangement with someone who has a big house and
> garden to let you look after some or all of it?
>
Derek
gogo
Feb 8, 2012, 4:47:55 AM2/8/12
to
arrangement with the landlord of the main door one to take care of his.
And I already had one or two people in the street asking if I can take
care of theirs! But I guess what I was after is a garden a little bit
more "integrated" to the house, that I can see through the window and
reach by opening the door, and where I could really do whatever I want
in term of planting. Having to go down 3 floors or traveling to an
allotment is not really the same thing. I guess it's a "luxury", but
hey, that's my thing (some people spend a lot on cars or a high tech
kitchen...).
One other reason I'd like my own garden (and preferably a bit outside
the city lights) is that I'm into astronomy and there's only so much you
can do from a flat window, without carrying the telescope up the roof or
down 3 floors in the garden.
Thanks for the comments
Zimmy
Feb 8, 2012, 7:06:06 AM2/8/12
to
unattended/waste ground or unused garden and then offer to buy some of
it. Not everybody wants to maintain a huge garden as they get older and
might appreciate the cash. You may even get permission to use some
ground without having to buy it. I know people who've done both
successfully.
Also, make sure you try the commute at peak times before you buy, it may
be longer than you think!
Z
gogo
Feb 8, 2012, 8:02:58 AM2/8/12
to
On 08/02/2012 12:06, Zimmy wrote:
>
> Look for a house with a small garden that is adjacent to a piece of
> unattended/waste ground or unused garden and then offer to buy some of
> it. Not everybody wants to maintain a huge garden as they get older and
> might appreciate the cash. You may even get permission to use some
> ground without having to buy it. I know people who've done both
> successfully.
Interesting, I haven't thought of that.
>
> Look for a house with a small garden that is adjacent to a piece of
> unattended/waste ground or unused garden and then offer to buy some of
> it. Not everybody wants to maintain a huge garden as they get older and
> might appreciate the cash. You may even get permission to use some
> ground without having to buy it. I know people who've done both
> successfully.
> Also, make sure you try the commute at peak times before you buy, it may
> be longer than you think!
properly (and I'm not in a particular hurry), I guess I should start
"testing" different areas from/to work and see how it feels. I might
even realize that it is all too much for me and forget the idea!
(although a long time ago (15 years), I used to commute for about 50
minutes twice a day and at the time it did not seem too much, but since,
I got used to the 20 min cycling!)
Thanks
Derek F
Feb 8, 2012, 3:20:01 PM2/8/12
to
Great when they were young but now to much for them. They keep getting
offers for it from builders and developers.
Derek
Windmill
Feb 8, 2012, 6:50:28 PM2/8/12
to
a train from Central Scotland (Shotts, Falkirk, wherever) followed by a
bike ride from Haymarket was as fast as some rush-hour commutes by car.
And the light pollution might be less (well, not near Grangemouth).
Not that I'd care to tackle any such journeys myself!
--
Windmill, Til...@Nonetel.com Use t m i l l
J.R.R. Tolkien:- @ O n e t e l . c o m
All that is gold does not glister / Not all who wander are lost
The Real Doctor
Feb 9, 2012, 12:06:59 AM2/9/12
to
On 08/02/12 09:08, Derek F wrote:
> Or get an allotment.
A quick look at the council website suggests that the waiting list for
most allotment sites is 7 - 8 years. I found one where it was only 5 years.
Ian
> Or get an allotment.
A quick look at the council website suggests that the waiting list for
most allotment sites is 7 - 8 years. I found one where it was only 5 years.
Ian
Sam Wilson
Feb 13, 2012, 12:24:05 PM2/13/12
to
Coming late to this my only new thought is that a friend used to rent in
the country, once out at Dunsyre and once up the hill from Currie. Both
had pleasant gardens but both also involved a twenty to thirty minute
walk to the nearest bus. My friend liked the isolation but you may find
places nearer in that would offer more open space.
Sam
the country, once out at Dunsyre and once up the hill from Currie. Both
had pleasant gardens but both also involved a twenty to thirty minute
walk to the nearest bus. My friend liked the isolation but you may find
places nearer in that would offer more open space.
Sam
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